EXCLUSIVE: Lilli Tagger on her rapid rise, one-handed backhand & working with Schiavone

[p]Standing at 185 centimetres tall, she has a clear advantage, her serve is very effective, and she occasionally helps herself with an ace. In fact, she has already fired nine of them in two rounds.[/p][p]However, in an interview with Flashscore, last year’s French Open junior champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tagger-lilli/UT72lXiG/"]Tagger[/a] admitted that stepping onto the centre court at Stvanice brought out some emotions.[/p][p][b]"The court is really beautiful, very special. I’ve heard about its history, it’s truly unique, a real piece of history. So when I walked out there, honestly, I was a bit nervous,"[/b] she admitted.[/p][embed guid="fba569bb-573b-4d10-b1c3-b138e377f8c1" url="https://x.com/Haute_Cadence/status/2080298317854994592" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]And when the match started, did you get used to it quickly?[/b][/p][p]"I actually didn’t expect there to be so many people, since it was a match between two foreigners. So I really enjoyed playing in front of such a crowd, in front of Czech fans. And of course, I can’t wait to play again tomorrow."[/p][p][b]What was your motivation for choosing the Prague tournament this week?[/b][/p][p]"I’ve been to Prague once before and I really like the city, it’s truly beautiful. Plus, it’s close to home, and it’s very similar to where I live. I almost feel at home here. ‘I want to go to Prague. I really like the city, I like the people here. I want to go and play that tournament,’ I remember exactly how I told my coaches."[/p][p][b]Maybe now they’ll listen to you! You’re doing well, having a breakthrough season, and at just 18 you’ve made it into the Top 100. How much does that mean to you? Did you expect it to happen so quickly?[/b][/p][p]"Sometimes I feel like I don’t even realise how fast it all happened. But when I take a break, sit down, and think about everything that’s happened... It really went insanely fast! Honestly? I didn’t expect it. But I just keep going. Still, I’m really proud of myself that it worked out this way."[/p][embed guid="83311ad8-22bb-4144-8662-fda5dfca74a8" url="https://x.com/worldtennis/status/1932079935947964890?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]Your one-handed backhand is also great to watch. Is that why you started working with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/schiavone-francesca/x8YbI3i6/"]Francesca Schiavone[/a], who was also famous for hers?[/b][/p][p]"That’s actually really funny! ‘Wow, you have such a coach!’ That’s what everyone says to me. But no, there wasn’t any deeper reason. And the fact that she also played a one-handed backhand? It’s really just a coincidence."[/p][p][b]So how did you two meet?[/b][/p][p]"Some time ago, I tried out an academy in Italy. I wanted a change, I really like the Italian mentality and the way they train. So I was looking for an environment in Italy, and that’s where we met and started working together."[/p][image alt="Lilli Tagger won the girls' singles at the French Open 2025" id="34dce550-d5c6-4d14-9a4c-74e8860dfbfb" credit-line="ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Juergen Hasenkopf" guid="e3c0ffca-1ff5-44f9-b203-498fd69d40bb" original-width="1400" original-height="933" /][p][b]Did you move there?[/b][/p][p]"No, I only train in Italy. I still live at home in Austria."[/p][p][b]So it wasn’t that your recent tennis success inspired you to move? Italian tennis is doing incredibly well right now.[/b][/p][p]"Yeah, they’re really great! But that wasn’t the reason. I do train in Italy, but I’m not really connected to their federation or the players who play there. We know each other, sure, but let’s say I’m a bit different."[/p][embed guid="b07b06af-092e-4333-a664-0fa2c1f101e3" url="https://x.com/WTA/status/2052037063839543345?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]But tell us more about your one-handed backhand. Were you inspired by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/federer-roger/GrsQDFC0/"]Federer[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wawrinka-stan/Uo9lu6le/"]Wawrinka[/a], or your compatriot [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/thiem-dominic/dtwmvonR/"]Dominic Thiem[/a], who also used it? Who taught you?[/b][/p][p]"I started with a two-handed backhand. But whenever I got an easier ball, I would automatically want to hit it one-handed. It just felt like the most natural shot. And when I was 12, I switched to a one-hander and have stuck with it ever since. I decided that’s how I wanted to play."[/p][p][b]Now you’re heading into the quarter-finals, and you’ll be facing a Czech player. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/bejlek-sara/jVCKq0LH/"]Sara Bejlek[/a] has a lot of support here in Prague. Are you looking forward to it?[/b][/p][p]"Oh, definitely! I’m sure a lot of people will come. I can imagine they’ll be cheering against me, which just happens sometimes. But I enjoy playing in front of a crowd. Like I said, the court is amazing. So I’m really looking forward to the match."[/p][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/bejlek-s-jVCKq0LH/tagger-l-UT72lXiG/?mid=OjIpR3Mg"]Follow Tagger vs Bejlek on Flashscore.[/a][/h2]