INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 6, 2026

Lilli Tagger

Press Conference

M. SAKKARI/L. Tagger

5-7, 6-3, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: English questions.

Q. Wanted to get your thoughts on the match, first of all.

LILLI TAGGER: I think, I mean, she's an amazing player. I've played her in Indian Wells once already, so I knew a little bit what was I'm expect, what was coming to me today.

But I think I started very well, I played my tennis. The things I had to do, I went to do them. In the second set let's say when I had to catch it, I released it. I think that's just part of the game.

Of course, I need to learn from it. That's the new level, no?

Q. It's been such a good couple of months. How are you dealing with the extra pressure, playing at these big events?

LILLI TAGGER: I mean, for now I'm enjoying it a lot. It's the life of everyone to live. So I enjoy a lot.

Of course, maybe yeah, there is the pressure. I think you need to remember every day that at the end you're playing for yourself because you enjoy it. You learn how to deal with it, for sure.

Q. The single-handed backhand, a beautiful shot, rare to see. How did you get to play with that shot? What kind of advantages, disadvantages does it have for you?

LILLI TAGGER: Hmmm... When I started to play, I started to play with two hands. I never wanted to change to play with one hand because I just feel it's the most natural shot I have. I enjoy playing it a lot.

I think, I mean, for me there are quite a lot of positive sides from this shot. I mean, I can get different angles instead of with the two-handed backhand.

For me it's the most natural shot. I'm super happy that I changed it. For me, I can see that I made the correct choice.

Q. What age was it?

LILLI TAGGER: 12.