Austrian Teenager to Compete with the World’s Elite

Indian Wells, CA – Lilli Tagger, 18, has received a coveted wildcard into the main draw of the WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, a remarkable achievement for the young Austrian player. This opportunity comes despite not initially meeting the sporting qualification criteria for the event, currently ranked 116th in the world.

A Rapid Ascent

The wildcard is a testament to Tagger’s rapid progress in the sport. Just a year ago, she was largely unknown outside of tennis circles, but a series of impressive performances have propelled her up the rankings. She began competing on the ITF circuit in 2022 at the age of 14.

Her manager, Alex Vittur, who also represents Jannik Sinner, leveraged his extensive network to secure the wildcard, with tournament director Tommy Haas recognizing Tagger’s potential.

Elite Company

Tagger joins a select group of players awarded wildcards, including established stars such as Venus Williams and Sloane Stephens, as well as Bianca Andreescu (2019 US Open Champion) and Donna Vekic. Five of the eight wildcards were awarded to American players.

Recent Successes

This marks Tagger’s first appearance in the main competition of a WTA 1000 tournament. In 2025, she reached her first career WTA final in Jiujiang, and won the Junior Roland Garros singles title. She also secured victories in W35 Spain, and W75 tournaments in Romania and Serbia.

In 2025, Tagger jumped 623 positions in the rankings, starting the year at number 773 and finishing at number 152. She was also named Austria’s Rising Star of the Year.

Looking Ahead

Tagger is currently 95 points shy of reaching the top 100, which would guarantee direct qualification for the French Open. A strong showing in Indian Wells, requiring at least three wins to reach the round of 16, could propel her into the top 100.

Following Indian Wells, Tagger will compete in Miami and then return to Europe for the clay court season, including the Upper Austria Ladies in Linz.

Schwärzler Also on the Rise

Joel Schwärzler, 20, is also making strides in the tennis world. He recently reached the final of a Challenger tournament in Lugano, improving his ranking to 214 and moving closer to qualifying for the French Open.

FAQ

• What is a wildcard? A wildcard is an entry into a tournament given to a player who has not qualified based on their ranking.
• What is a WTA 1000 tournament? WTA 1000 tournaments are among the most prestigious events on the women’s professional tennis tour.
• Where is Lilli Tagger from? Lilli Tagger is from East Tyrol, Austria.