Aryna Sabalenka is set to kick off her 2025 grass season in Berlin and she will be joined there by Australian Open sensation Eva Lys.
Last year, the current world No. 1 made her fourth appearance at the German WTA 500 tournament.
Unfortunately for the Belarusian, it didn’t go well after she sustained a shoulder and had to retire mid-match in the quarterfinal against Anna Kalinskaya.
A week later, Sabalenka went to Wimbledon hoping to be able to play but ultimately she ended up withdrawing from The Championships at the last moment.
When announcing the news, the three-time Grand Slam champion said she was “heartbroken” over that decision.
However, the Belarusian certainly has no hard feelings towards since she has agreed to return to the tournament this year.
“World’s number 1 is coming back to Berlin! @arynasabalenka is the first top player to confirm her participation at the tournament. You don’t want to miss this? Then get your tickets now!” the tournament announced.
A bit surprisingly, last year’s quarterfinal showing was Sabalenka’s best-ever result at the German grass event as in her first three appearances at the tournament, she twice lost in the round-of-16 and once exited in the first round.
Lys set for her main draw debut at the German grass event
On the same day that the Berlin organizers announced Sabalenka, they also confirmed rising star Lys for the tournament.
“A few days ago she made history in Melbourne, and in June you can see her in Berlin: @eva.lys will be competing at the the tournament. Get your tickets now and watch Eva playing live on court at the Steffi Graf Stadium,” the tournament said in a statement.
Eva Lys© Berlin Tennis Open/Instagram – Fair Use
In the past, the 23-year-old German tennis player featured in the 2022 Berlin qualifying event.
That year, she was beaten by Anastasia Gasanova in the qualifying first round.
Considering that Lys was one of the best stories of this year’s Australian Open, there is no doubt that she will be one of the main attractions at this year’s tournament edition.
Tennis World USA