Touring sensation arrives in Amstetten: French Open victor touches down in Austrian town
Tennis Excitement Builds in Amstetten
The excitement is palpable in the small town of Amstetten. Not only has the tennis governing body granted a wish to push the 60,000-dollar tournament a week forward (now from Aug 3rd to 10th), but there's also a larger gap from the US Open ahead, making room for a more high-profile participant field.
Here's the juicy bit – the tennis aces from the Billie Jean King Cup team are planning their comeback to Amstetten this year. Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus are set to grace the court, with Grabher already marking the LADIES OPEN Amstetten on her schedule. Kraus, after reaching the quarterfinals last year, has her sights firmly set on another appearance.
But that's not all. Rising star Lilli Tagger, fresh off her victory at the Junior Roland Garros, is eyeing a wild card entry in Amstetten, as confirmed by OTV women's chief, Marion Maruska. Tagger, with her distinctive one-handed backhand (a rarity in modern women's tennis), is certainly a name to watch out for!
Meet Lilli Tagger – the Young Tennis Phenom
17-year-old Lilli Tagger hails from Austria and has been making waves in the tennis world with her unique playing style. A clay court aficionado, she started swinging the racket at the tender age of five. HerFormer professional player Francesca Schiavone serves as her coach, with Tagger developing a solid game under her tutelage. Schiavone, known for her own one-handed backhand, is certainly an inspiration.
Recent achievements paint an impressive picture for Tagger. She took home the Junior Roland Garros trophy, a prestigious honor that reflects her rising status in junior tennis. With this victory, she has proven herself as a promising talent for the one-handed backhand style[3][4].
As of June 2025, Tagger holds singles and doubles rankings near 508 and 1341 respectively in the professional circuit. Although she is still in the early stages of transitioning to higher-level competitions, her junior success and professional participation indicate a bright future[1][5].
In essence, Lilli Tagger is an emerging young Austrian tennis player, recognized for her unique playing style, particularly her one-handed backhand, coached by Francesca Schiavone[1][2][3][4]. Keep an eye on this girl – she's the next big thing!
- Lilli Tagger, the rising star and emerging young Austrian tennis player, could potentially make her debut in senior sports, as she aims for a wild card entry in the LADIES OPEN Amstetten, following her victory at the Junior Roland Garros.
- While the excitement for tennis in Amstetten is building, Tagger, with her distinctive one-handed backhand, is setting her sights on the sports arena, alongside tennis aces like Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus, who are making their comeback to the tournament this year.
