All Hail Lilli Tagger And The One-Hander
Tennis is a sport currently defined by baseline power. While the modern game prioritizes aggressive groundstrokes, there is a specific technical rarity that remains a spectacle when performed correctly: the one-handed backhand. Among the current generation of rising stars, 18-year-old Lilli Tagger from Austria is making a strong case for the shot's continued relevance on the professional tour.
Tagger recently secured her first tour-level title at the WTA 250 in Prague. Standing at 6-foot-1, she possesses the reach and raw power necessary to compete with the tallest players in the game today. What sets her apart is her commitment to the one-handed backhand, a stroke that has become increasingly scarce in professional tennis. Under the guidance of former Roland-Garros champion Francesca Schiavone, Tagger is demonstrating that this classic technique remains effective even against elite competition.
Her performance in Prague was notable for how she handled pressure. Facing top-30 talent like Barbora Krejcikova and rallying from a deficit in the final against Daria Snigur, Tagger displayed a maturity beyond her years. Her ability to navigate these high-stakes moments on hard courts signals that the one-hander does not need to be a liability against fast-paced attacks. With this win, she is set to become the youngest player inside the top 50.
It is worth noting the history behind her choice. Tagger originally sought to adopt the one-handed backhand at age 10, only to face resistance from coaches. She eventually secured the right to use the stroke by winning a bet against her coach at age 12. As she continues to refine her serve and defensive slice, she stands as the most prominent candidate to potentially break the long-standing drought for one-handed backhand players at the highest levels of the women's game. Watching her progress will be a point of interest for anyone who appreciates the technical nuances of professional tennis.