Team manager Rainer Schüttler has nominated Eva Lys as the fifth player for the Billie Jean King Cup. The German team wants to make it to the finals in Brazil
Tennis player Eva Lys completes the German squad for the Billie Jean King Cup. The 22-year-old will be the fifth player in Angelique Kerber’s comeback at the match in Brazil on April 12 and 13, as announced by the German Tennis Federation.
When nominating Kerber, Tatjana Maria, Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena Friedsam, team boss Rainer Schüttler had left one place open for the match on clay in São Paulo. Schüttler has therefore decided not to nominate Jule Niemeier
New chance and a comeback
Lys has “always played an important role” in the team in recent years, said Schüttler, explaining his choice. “Having her on the team means we can fall back on four players who beat Brazil last year,” said Schüttler: “Plus Angelique Kerber is coming back after parental leave. She will strengthen the team of recent years once again.”
The three-time Grand Slam tournament winner is taking part in the prestigious international competition again for the first time after her maternity leave. Kerber last played for Germany in 2022.
Lys is still competing in a smaller Challenger tournament in Spain this week. Maria and Siegemund are preparing for their appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup in Bogota, Colombia. Like defending champion Maria and Niemeier, who was not nominated, Siegemund made a successful start to the tournament, winning 7:6 (7:5), 7:5 against Belarusian qualifier Irina Schymanowitsch.
Germany won their last duel with Brazil last year in Stuttgart 3:1. The winner qualifies for the finals in Seville in November. The prestigious Porsche Grand Prix (April 13-21) will take place in Stuttgart directly after the Billie Jean King Cup match.
