Tagger triumphs in Paris to make Junior Grand Slam history for Austria
Shortly after clinching the Roland Garros girls’ singles title in emphatic fashion, Austrian Lilli Tagger ran to the stands to embrace her coach Francesca Schiavone, an Italian champion.
It is 15 years since Schiavone clinched the Roland Garros title with a superb victory over Samantha Stosur, but on Saturday her joy was to witness her protege succeed in Paris.
Pitted against English talent Hannah Klugman on Court Simonne-Mathieu, Tagger was a delight to watch, with her athleticism and shot-making wowing the large crowd in attendance.
Tagger, who plays with a one-handed backhand, captivated the fans with some sizzling winners from that wing on the way to a dominant 6-2 6-0 triumph in 1hr 17min.
It was, she declared during the trophy ceremony, a “dream come true” after becoming the first Austrian to win a Junior Grand Slam singles title at Roland Garros, something she did with style when triumphant without dropping a set in six matches.
Prior to the match Tagger, who draws inspiration from Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka but also from superstar skiers Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin, said she watched footage of Schiavone’s own triumph in 2010 as part of her motivation for shining through the week.
“Of course I've seen her. I think it was two days ago when I watched the video of her winning here. I mean, she's the ‘Queen of the clay’,” said Tagger, who earlier this year received financial assistance through the ITF-operated Grand Slam Player Development Programme to support her on-going development.
“I can learn a lot from her game and she's also teaching me a lot. We talked (before the final) about the tactical part, because I knew my opponent.
“But the most important thing she told me was to go out there, enjoy the moment and try to, even if it wasn't that easy, but try to stay calm and focus on my goal.”
Her performances this week, along with recent results including a triumph in Spain over Roland Garros semi-finalist Lois Boisson, suggest a main draw berth is within her scope.
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That is Tagger’s goal, who said she is determined to compete in the senior draw alongside stars including Boisson and Coco Gauff, who won the girls’ singles in Paris in 2018.
“It's really, really special to win this tournament here. But in the juniors, I think from all of us, the goal is to come here to play the normal seniors tournament,” she said.
“Of course if we come here, it's an inspiration to watch them play, and we focus of course on our tournament (and) try to win it, but the goal is to come here (as seniors). So, yes, it's a great win. It gives you a lot of inspiration to continue to work, but the goal is to come here.”
The celebrations for the winning coach and player combination were slightly delayed.
Both finalists were required for anti-doping protocols and then Schiavone stepped out in a Legends’ mixed doubles match with Guy Forget against Henri Leconte and Lucie Safarova.
Klugman, who was vying to become the first English player since Michelle Tyyler in 1976, started well before her rival seized momentum from midway through the opening set.
The 16-year-old, who has won 20 of her 24 singles matches this year, had been stretched the distance in three of her five wins during the week and faded late in the final.
The emerging English talent praised Tagger for the brilliance with which she played but said she was feeling fatigued after producing her best run to date in a junior Grand Slam.
“I want to start off by saying congratulations to Lilli. Honestly, you deserve it so much. You broke me physically and mentally today,” she said.
“It’s been a long week (but) I’m proud of myself. I want to thank my team for all of the hard work. It means a lot. Hopefully I’ll be back in the seniors some time.”
In the girls’ doubles final, German pair Eva Bennemann and Sonja Zhenikhova staged a comeback from a set and 0-4 deficit to defeat Czechia sisters Alena and Jana Kovackova 4-6 6-4 (10-8) in 1hr 32min.