Jannik Sinner praises rising WTA teen Lilli Tagger as "very talented" and "very different"

The 18-year-old Austrian has drawn comparisons to Carlos Alcaraz and Ash Barty after her breakout run at Indian Wells and Miami Open.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:37am

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Lilli Tagger, an 18-year-old Austrian tennis player, has emerged as one of the stories of the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments. Despite losing in the third round at Indian Wells, Tagger earned praise from top players like Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner for her impressive performances as a lucky loser. Sinner, who is coming off a title run at Indian Wells, highlighted Tagger's unique one-handed backhand and her passion for the game, noting that she is still young and figuring out her playing style.

Why it matters

Tagger's breakout performances at the prestigious Indian Wells and Miami Open events have drawn comparisons to rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Ash Barty, indicating that she may be a player to watch in the future. Her success as a lucky loser and ability to take a set off Naomi Osaka showcases her potential, and the praise from established players like Sinner further validates her talent.

The details

Tagger earned a spot in the Indian Wells main draw as a lucky loser, replacing 14th seed Victoria Azarenka. She went on to win two rounds and took a set off Naomi Osaka before eventually falling short. Sinner, who is looking to complete the Sunshine Double in Miami, spoke about Tagger after his opening match, recalling that they had practiced together when she was just 14 years old. Sinner highlighted Tagger's one-handed backhand, a rare sight in women's tennis, and noted that her background in winter sports, like skiing and ice hockey, has helped shape her mental toughness.

  • Tagger earned a spot in the Indian Wells main draw as a lucky loser in March 2026.
  • Tagger won two rounds at Indian Wells and took a set off Naomi Osaka in March 2026.
  • Sinner spoke about Tagger after his opening match at the Miami Open in March 2026.

The players

Lilli Tagger

An 18-year-old Austrian tennis player who has emerged as one of the stories of the Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments, earning praise from top players like Naomi Osaka and Jannik Sinner for her impressive performances as a lucky loser.

Jannik Sinner

An Italian tennis player who is coming off a title run at Indian Wells and is looking to complete the Sunshine Double at the Miami Open.

Naomi Osaka

A professional tennis player who praised Tagger after their match at the Indian Wells tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We were practising together when she was still like, let's say very young.”

— Jannik Sinner

“I know her very well, she's a very talented player, very talented, very different than we see now, especially in women's tennis. She is someone who likes to play tennis; you see the passion and I think that's the main thing a player should have.”

— Jannik Sinner

“Massive Alcaraz, Juan Carlos Ferrero energy, 100 per cent.”

— Roddy Reynolds, Podcaster

The takeaway

Tagger's breakout performances at the Indian Wells and Miami Open events have drawn comparisons to rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Ash Barty, indicating that she may be a player to watch in the future. The praise from established players like Sinner further validates her talent and potential, suggesting that she could be on the cusp of a breakthrough in the women's game.