Eva, how much are you looking forward to Wimbledon?
Eva Lys: I’m a direct main draw acceptance for the first time and don’t have to play qualifying. It’s a nice feeling. I’m really looking forward to everything as Wimbledon is a very special tournament.
What makes Wimbledon so fascinating?
Lys: The tournament has an amazing tradition. The setting is unique and the organisation is perfect right down to the last detail. The focus is on us players like at no other tournament. For me, Wimbledon is the season’s highlight.
As a young player, for what do you hold the most respect?
Lys: For me, the biggest challenge is adjusting to grass. Last year there were many moments when I felt good on the surface. But it’s not easy for me. At Wimbledon, we can’t practice for hours on end because the courts have to last two weeks. The organisers really look after them.
Last year, you qualified for the main draw for the first time. What experiences did you take away with you?
Lys: I was so in awe of everything. It was nicer and cooler than I ever imagined. They were very positive emotions. If you’ve already experienced it and you know exactly what’s awaiting you, then you’re more relaxed walking around the grounds and can concentrate on the essentials, like playing good tennis. An important experience was that the practice courts play totally differently to the match ones where the grass is much fresher. Consequently, this time around I’ve also been playing on the match courts which wasn’t possible for me last year.
What is so special about everything and why is playing on grass so different?
Lys: The courts change from day to day. The grass doesn’t stay fresh forever. At the start, on the green grass, the ball bounces totally differently to when the courts have been in use for a week. As a result, you have to keep adapting your game. You don’t get far on grass trying to play like on a hard court or on clay. You have to get down lower on grass and the rallies are shorter. The game is generally quicker. As the ball doesn’t bounce so high then you have to move even better. Above all, you have to make quicker decisions.
You and grass aren’t the best friends yet?
Lys: Let’s put it this way, we’re still getting to know each other. The grass court season is very short, just four weeks so it makes it difficult gaining experience. I’ve got nothing against having a good relationship, but I still have to find a way to turn my confidence into playing good tennis on the surface too.
At the Australian Open in January, you sensationally went all the way to the fourth round as a lucky loser. To what extent is the excellent performance still making itself obvious?
Lys: I’ve obviously still got it in the back of my mind. The way I started the season has been a big help. It’s after all contributed to me being a direct main draw acceptance at Wimbledon and not having to go through qualifying like in the past. I’ve been going into big tournaments with a more relaxed attitude. It’s a good feeling.
Tatjana Maria, your Billie Jean King Cup teammate, caused a major surprise by going all the way to the Wimbledon semifinals in 2022 and she recently won the tournament in Queens. Is everything possible on grass?
Lys: Tatjana’s performance was incredible. If you’ve never played on grass then you just can’t imagine how unpredictable the surface is. What’s important is that you try to enjoy everything. If you don’t go into it feeling comfortable, then you won’t get into the flow you need to play successful tennis. As you don’t have unlimited chances to practice on grass, then it wouldn’t surprise me if a player also wins this year’s Wimbledon that nobody had on their cards.
What are you aims ahead of the tournament?
Lys: I’ve obviously got certain ideas and expectations. Above all, I want to enjoy Wimbledon, soak up the atmosphere and take everything as it comes. I think it’s a good way on grass.
Porsche in Tennis
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is the flagship of Porsche’s worldwide involvement in women’s tennis. First played in Filderstadt in 1978, the long-standing Stuttgart tournament has been held in the city’s Porsche Arena since 2006. It stands for tradition and innovation, as does the Porsche brand. As the most loyal sponsor of women’s international tennis, Porsche has accompanied the WTA’s oldest indoor event right from the start. Porsche has also been supporting women’s tennis internationally for years. Iga Swiatek, Eva Lys and Maria Sakkari are “Friends of the Brand” in their home countries. Porsche has been a premium partner of the “Deutsche Tennis Bund” (DTB – German Tennis Association) since 2012 and is committed to fostering up-and-coming players in the Porsche Talent Team and the Porsche Junior Team.