A Difficult Year Comes to an Early Close
Eva Lys has officially wrapped up her 2026 campaign ahead of schedule, sharing a heartfelt statement on Instagram that revealed the physical and emotional toll the season has taken on her. The German player described 2026 as "one of the toughest years" of her life, both on and off the court, and confirmed she is stepping away to prioritize her health before returning for the 2027 season.
Lys joins a growing list of players who have already shut down their seasons in October. Clara Tauson was forced to retire from her opening-round match at the Wuhan Open against Marie Bouzkova and has since confirmed she is done for the year. On the men's side, Jannik Sinner has not played since the Wimbledon final and will not appear again in 2026, while Joao Fonseca withdrew from the Swiss Indoors in Basel and also set his sights on 2027.
Arthritis at the Root of Her Struggles
For Lys, the core issue has been an ongoing battle with arthritis that she says has been particularly hard to manage this year. After more than six years dealing with the condition, she and her team have decided to change her treatment plan, a significant adjustment she acknowledged will require time and patience.
The numbers reflect just how tough this campaign has been. Lys won only eight matches across the entire 2026 season against 19 defeats, with her best result coming on home soil at the Berlin Open, where she reached the round of 16. She was also on a three-match losing streak heading into her decision to stop competing.
Despite the hardship, her statement carried an optimistic tone, with Lys expressing genuine excitement about what 2027 could bring. TennisDraw users will be eager to track her bracket potential once she returns to full fitness next season.
