Get ready to witness the rise of tennis’ newest power duo: Lilli Tagger and Mia Pohankova, two 17-year-old phenoms who are rewriting the script for early success on the WTA Tour. But here’s where it gets even more fascinating—these rising stars aren’t just winning; they’re mirroring each other’s triumphs in a way that’s both uncanny and inspiring.
Last October, Pohankova kicked things off by clinching her first ITF title on home soil in Slovakia. Not to be outdone, Austria’s Tagger followed suit shortly after, securing her maiden pro title in Spain by defeating the rising star Lois Boisson. And this is just the beginning. Tagger then dominated the 2025 French Open girls’ singles, going from unseeded to champion without dropping a single set. One month later, Pohankova matched her feat at Wimbledon, claiming the girls’ singles crown despite entering unseeded. Talk about synchronized success!
So, it’s no surprise that when both made their WTA main-draw debuts this week—Tagger in Jiujiang and Pohankova in Chennai—they each scored first-round victories. Tagger took down China’s Zhu Chenting, while Pohankova ousted former top 100 player Nao Hibino. They join Australian Open girls’ singles champion Wakana Sonobe, who also won her WTA debut earlier this year in Abu Dhabi.
But Tagger didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, she pulled off a stunning upset, defeating world No. 89 Elisabetta Cocciaretto in straight sets for her first top 100 win. ‘It was an amazing match,’ Tagger gushed afterward. ‘I had a lot of fun out there. I still can’t believe I won, but I’m super happy with my performance and can’t wait for the next match.’ Her one-handed backhand, a rarity in today’s game, has drawn comparisons to her coach, 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone. Controversial question: Could Tagger’s backhand become the signature move of a future Grand Slam champion?
Tagger’s achievements are even more impressive when you consider she’s one of only eight women in the top 300 of the PIF WTA Rankings with a one-handed backhand. This season, she’s amassed a 32-8 record across all levels, including three ITF titles and her junior Grand Slam. Her wins in Jiujiang have propelled her into the top 200 for the first time.
Pohankova, meanwhile, has made the most of her limited pro appearances. Alongside her Wimbledon junior title, she reached the girls’ doubles semifinals at the French Open—partnering with none other than Tagger. Though they fell in two tight sets to eventual champions Eva Bennemann and Sonja Zhenikhova, their chemistry on the court is undeniable. Pohankova’s 8-4 record in 2025 includes two ITF quarterfinals and two wins over top 200 opponents as she aims to surpass her career-best ranking of No. 394.
But here’s the part most people miss: Beyond the rankings, both players are soaking in the WTA Tour experience. ‘The tournament is amazing,’ Tagger said. ‘I’m really happy to play in the main draw here. I haven’t seen much of the city yet, but maybe in the next few days, I’ll explore a little.’ And who knows? A maiden WTA title might not be far off for either—or both.
As these young stars continue to climb, one thing is clear: Tagger and Pohankova are not just competitors but trailblazers, redefining what’s possible for teenage athletes on the global stage. What do you think? Are Tagger and Pohankova the future faces of women’s tennis? Share your thoughts in the comments!
