Teen Talents Tagger, Pohankova Shine in Successful WTA Debuts

Seventeen-year-old tennis talents Lilli Tagger and Mia Pohankova have made significant strides in their professional careers. Both players are enjoying impressive early success and recently participated in their first WTA main-draw events.

Recent Achievements of Tagger and Pohankova

Mia Pohankova secured her first ITF title in October 2022 while competing in Slovakia. Following closely, Lilli Tagger claimed her first professional title this April in Spain, defeating Lois Boisson in the finals. Notably, Tagger later triumphed at the 2025 French Open, winning the girls’ singles title without conceding a set, despite being unseeded. Pohankova mirrored this success by winning the girls’ singles title at Wimbledon just one month later, also entering as an unseeded player.

Successful WTA Debuts

This week, both young athletes made their WTA debuts via wild cards: Tagger in Jiujiang and Pohankova in Chennai. Each secured victory in their opening matches, marking a strong start to their careers at this level. Tagger triumphed over Zhu Chenting from China, while Pohankova defeated former Top 100 player Nao Hibino to advance to the second round.

Impressive Victories

Tagger delivered an outstanding performance in her second match, upsetting world No. 89 Elisabetta Cocciaretto in straight sets. Following her victory, Tagger expressed her joy, stating, “It was an amazing match. I can’t wait for the next match.” This win marked her first against a Top 100 player, further solidifying her rising status in women’s tennis.

Unique Playing Style and Rankings

• Tagger’s one-handed backhand has drawn comparisons to her coach, Francesca Schiavone.
• She is one of just eight women in the top 300 of the PIF WTA Rankings to utilize this style.
• Her record this season stands at 32-8, including three ITF titles.
• Pohankova, currently sitting at a career-best ranking of No. 394, has an overall record of 8-4 in 2025.

Both players are focusing on accumulating more WTA wins while soaking in the experience of competing at this elite level. Tagger expressed her excitement for the tournament, noting, “I’m really happy I get the chance to play the main draw here.” With their remarkable achievements and potential ahead, the future looks bright for both Tagger and Pohankova in professional tennis.