Eva Lys Rejects ‘Super Fake’ Locker Room Narratives with Her ‘That’s Just Human Nature’ Explanation

Eva Lys, who has yet to win a tour-level title, will next be playing at the Italian Open.

Eva Lys Rejects ‘Super Fake’ Locker Room Narratives with Her ‘That’s Just Human Nature’ Explanation

Eva Lys (Image via Tennis Temple)

In Short
  • Eva Lys disagrees with Sachia Vickery's view on locker room culture, calling it a natural aspect of human nature.
  • Lys emphasizes that not getting along doesn't equate to bad blood among players.
  • She recently participated in a TikTok dance challenge with Coco Gauff during the Madrid Open.

Recently, American WTA pro, Sachia Vickery‘s comment about locker rooms sparked some controversy as she claimed that players talk behind their backs and that the locker room culture is “super fake”. But Eva Lys doesn’t share similar opinions.

Lys cited the example of schools to explain that it’s natural if people don’t get along. And if they don’t get along, then that doesn’t mean there’s bad blood between them. She said on The Changeover Podcast:

I feel like it’s similar to school, you have your class, and some people get along, some don’t. That’s just human nature. Some groups click, some don’t. It doesn’t mean there’s bad blood; it’s just not always a match. On court, we’re opponents. Off court, we can be cool with each other. It’s no secret that we’re all trying to beat each other. Whenever I go out there, I want to win. As long as there’s respect, you can do whatever you need to do on court to win against me.

Lys was last seen in action in the first round of the Madrid Open, where Zhang Shuai defeated her in straight sets. The German has yet to win two consecutive matches in a singles tournament this year.

Even if I’m friends with someone, like Coco [Gauff], if she somehow uses something to beat me, then bravo to her. I’ll do the same… I don’t have any bad blood with anyone, and I hope no one has it with me. I’m just not that type of person. I hate drama. I really need harmony in my life.

Eva Lys added

Next is the Italian Open. Last year in the tournament, the 24-year-old suffered a straight-set defeat at the hands of Elena Rybakina.

Eva Lys on her TikTok dance with Coco Gauff

During the Madrid Open, Eva Lys and Coco Gauff filmed a TikTok dance challenge. During that aforementioned The Changeover Podcast, Lys joked that for her, dancing is tougher than playing tennis.

Coco Gauff
Coco Gauff (via Punto de Break)

I did my first kind of dancing TikTok with Coco. She didn’t pressure me, but she wanted to do one, and I’m like, you’ve got to pick the easiest dance because I cannot dance. I just can’t, I look ridiculous. It took us a couple of tries, even that motion, I’m like, man, that’s tougher than playing tennis. I don’t know, my hips lie. Guys, my hips lie big time.

Gauff too exited in the early rounds. She reached the round of 16, only to register a three-set defeat at the hands of Linda Noskova. The Madrid Open saw a new champion as in the final, Marta Kostyuk beat Mirra Andreeva to win her career’s first WTA 1000 title.

Gauff has yet to win a title this season. She reached the final of the Miami Open but failed to go past World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The American ace will next play at the Italian Open, where she finished as runner-up last year, losing to home favorite Jasmine Paolini.

The last time Gauff lifted a title was at the 2025 Wuhan Open. Last year on the clay swing, she lost the finals of the Madrid Open and the Italian Open to Sabalenka and Paolini, respectively. But the 22-year-old took her revenge on the four-time Grand Slam singles champion to win her career’s second Major singles title.

So far in her career, Gauff has won two singles titles on clay. She will be chasing her fourth WTA 1000 singles title in Rome. Lys, on the other hand, has yet to win a tour-level title. She made her Italian Open debut last year and suffered a second-round exit.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Downplays Comparison with Carlos Alcaraz on Clay After Securing Madrid Final Slot