Eva Lys: "Many Russian players behave disrespectfully"
Eva Lys (WTA No. 311) competed at the ITF tournament in Nur-Sultan this week. Lys was born in Kyiv and grew up in Germany - and described a frightening picture of some of her colleagues.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 05, 2022, 01:11 pm
Lys competed in the tournament in Nur-Sultan in a blue and yellow outfit, the national colors of Ukraine. It was important to her to set an example , the 20-year-old explained in an interview with Eurosport . “I drove through the city with my mother to find something yellow. I already had something blue with me,” says Lys. "I believe that the war in Ukraine should not be left uncommented and that as an athlete you have to use your reach."
Part of Lys' family still lives in Kyiv, and the city means "indescribably much" to her, Lys explained. “My family is from there and we used to visit regularly. It was a big part of my childhood and it breaks my heart to see what is happening to the people and to this beautiful city now.”
Her grandparents have now left Ukraine, Lys' great-uncle is the chief physician in a clinic in Kyiv and stayed to help. “The situation on the ground is characterized by extreme fear, everyone is in danger. But it helps me and makes me proud to have such a strong and brave family.”
Evy Lys: "Some demonstratively put on a tracksuit in the Russian national colors"
However, Lys was shocked by some of her colleagues at the tournament in Nur-Sultan, as she continued. "Many Russian players who are here show disrespect to those affected by the Ukraine war. They laugh about it, make fun of it. Some demonstratively put on a tracksuit in the Russian national colors,” said Lys.
It is all the more important to clearly spread what is really happening. "The message has to get through to everyone."
The entire interview with Eva Lys can be found here .