Alejandro Tabilo: “Nadal is my idol; playing with him in Chile is a dream, it will be unforgettable”

Alejandro Tabilo (Toronto, June 2, 1997) is one of those who travel to the courts of the Providencia Tennis Club, where Alto Tenis operates, the academy where the brand new Chilean number one trained for several years. While watching from the side of one of the courts play the many children who, yesterday at noon, filled the room. The partners recognize this and, while the conversation with Jock , more than one interrupts him to express his affection. The left-hander thanks every gesture with a smile, the very one he uses to talk about his present and the dreams he hopes to realize.

How is your recovery going after your left humerus injury?

Well, we’ve done some testing and we’re ready. Nothing came out altered, so very good. We are slacking off to prepare well for the last part of the year.

How did you feel not playing at Roland Garros again?

I had some bad luck, just in those weeks. My first Grand Slam going straight and having to go out was tough, but the good thing is that I was able to recover enough to play Wimbledon, and that helped me a lot. I had a good time getting ready.

How was this experience of debuting at Wimbledon?

It was extraordinary. Playing for the first time as a professional at Wimbledon, because the qualifications are not played on these grounds. So that was very good; an unforgettable experience and, after winning a round, even better.

Could you share with the personalities of London?

Same, kid. The closest are Shapovalov, Tiafoe. I am also very good friends with Kecmanovic. I just joined this group or player ranking. So everything is new to me.

What stands out the most about playing at the ATP level?

The level is felt in all points. Everyone plays very well, every week you have to be very attentive and everyone is very consistent at this level. So it’s something that you have to work on to continue there and not go down from that ranking or that level. A lot is about confidence too, and hopefully I can come back as best I can.

This week he became number one in Chile for the first time. How important is this step to you?

It’s something that since I was a kid and since I started playing for Chile has been one of my goals. I am proud to be in this position and I must try to keep adding and improving in the rankings. It’s an incredible feeling, because since I was a kid it was a dream to be number one in Chile.

Was it planned in these circumstances, without playing a lot and with ranking changes?

It was very strange, but we still worked very hard to be in this position. The whole ranking change has been for everyone. I entered the top 100 with a number of points that would have allowed me to be in the top 100 much earlier. Everything was very strange and now everything is back to normal and the changes are visible there.

To what extent does this fight to be number one in the country help internal competition?

It helps a lot for Chilean tennis in general to be able to show that you can be there. Before there was a player, Garin, who was involved-involved; also Jarry, who was playing very well and now, by the end of the year, I hope to make four top 100 finishes, with Tommy (Barrios), who is also in the fight, it’s incredible. I hope we motivate the boys to be able to play and thus have many more players in the years to come. So, more than for us, I think Chilean tennis does it very well.

Last week his exhibition with Rafael Nadal has been confirmed. What do you think of the opportunity to play with him in Chile?

For me it’s incredible, since I was little I always tried to do everything like Nadal; He’s my idol and playing with him in Chile is a dream, it will be unforgettable. So having this opportunity to exhibit here with him makes me very happy.

One of the options to play this game is Sausalito. Do you want me to go?

It would be special, just in the stadium where Everton play. I hope my whole family will come and we can enjoy the show.

What was your reaction when you were told about this possibility?

When they first named him to me, I didn’t give it much thought. It took me a while to react and already, a week ago, when they confirmed to me, I couldn’t believe it. Guille (Gómez) called me on the phone and was happy. My eyes widened with happiness.

What did your family tell you?

When I told them, they couldn’t believe it. Like it came out of nowhere, and these things always take time to materialize and they also know what it means to me and all the effort, so for them it’s also very special.

I’m changing the subject. You have been living in Chile for some time. What did you think of the country?

Since I arrived I loved it. It helped me a lot as a person, because the United States is a little colder and here everything has been more family-oriented. Everyone is so friendly and every time I go back it feels like coming home.

Do you intend to vote?

I have never voted, and in general I prefer to stay focused on tennis rather than politics.

I ask about the situation experienced by Fernando González, who was only criticized for expressing an opinion.

I don’t really like to talk about politics, I worry about the game and my day to day life, but I think these are one person’s opinions that I think should always be respected.

This week, we also learned that Michel Vernier had been sanctioned for match fixing. What did you think?

It’s a blow for the Chileans. There have already been cases and it is difficult to see. I also try not to see too much and to be in my business.

How do you plan the series with Peru in the Davis Cup?

It’s going to be weird to see who’s going to be there like one or two. We are all progressing and we are playing well, with a good level, with confidence… We have a very good team and we want to move forward with this series whatever happens, because it is very important for us.

What will be your plan for returning to the circuit?

We’re taking it slow, as we plan to end the year with a lot of tournaments. Therefore, we try to prepare this last part well. Obviously, I’m going to play the US Open yes or yes, and we’ll see which tournament to start with. Then we will see if we stay in North America or go to Europe to finish the season.

Will you participate in one of the Masters 1000 qualifying tournaments in North America?

That would be the idea, but we also see how all the preparation is going and see if we want to do something stronger and get to a tournament sooner. Obviously, being able to play one would be very nice.

What do you think you need to improve as a tennis player?

I think it’s kind of the physical part, which is something that everyone is very good at now; they all hold up very well. The mental part, which is fundamental; staying consistent in the game, not going overboard, which happens to me sometimes, and all these tournaments give me a lot of experience to stay focused. The rest is more of a small detail that needs to be improved throughout the day.

Monday will be 64 around the world. Is there a ranking goal? Maybe the top 50?

Yes, I think the top 50 would be the objective, since at the beginning of the year the objective was the top 100, but as it happened more or less quickly, we had to change the calendar a little, the objectives and all. So, the ideal would be to reach the top 50. If we plan well and it goes more or less well, it’s possible.