Alejandro Tabilo opened up on how his victory over Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open has helped his game.
The Chilean has made his mark on the ATP Tour this season having claimed two titles and getting to the semi-final of a Masters 1000.
He began the season ranked at 85 and he now sits just outside the world’s top 20 and has every chance of breaking into the top 15 and beyond.
Tabilo has more belief in his game this year and defeating Djokovic in emphatic fashion has certainly helped him achieve that.
Alejandro Tabilo comments on what beating Novak Djokovic has done for his game
Tabilo claimed his first title in Auckland back in January, but it was his performance at the Italian Open over the spring where he announced himself to the world.
In the third round, he faced arguably the game’s greatest player in Djokovic, and he showed no fear as he dismantled the Serbian in a ruthless performance.
Tabilo defeated Djokovic 6-2, 6-3 and progressed as far as the semi-finals where he lost to the eventual Italian Open champion Alexander Zverev.
In the near three months since that victory, Tabilo’s confidence has skyrocketed and he is continuing to go from strength to strength.
Elaborating how beating Djokovic has enhanced his game, Tabilo told ATP.com: “I still don’t even believe everything that’s happened, especially [beating] Djokovic. You always work for that, you always dream of that moment, but just when that opportunity shows up, it’s always tough to do it and I’ve just been so thankful for that.
“I’ve been playing well, I’ve been staying healthy and hopefully I can just keep doing that. I’m living now with that experience and I’ll just try and use it for the future.
“After that [win against Djokovic], it’s been just playing, just swinging and not really thinking about it much, which was always one of the struggles, the mental side. I’ve been much more focused on that.”
Is Alejandro Tabilo playing at the Canadian Open?
Tabilo is currently playing at the Canadian Open as he begins building towards the US Open. He commenced his campaign with a victory over Frances Tiafoe for the loss of just six games, but there was a moment of controversy at the end of the first set.
The American was trailing 4-5 and serving to stay in the opening frame. At 30-30, Tabilo returned his opponent’s second serve long, but it was not picked up by hawkeye.
The point continued before a late radio message said the ball landed out and the point should be awarded to Tiafoe. However, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani judged the point to have carried on for too long, and therefore decided the point should be replayed.
Tabilo went on to break Tiafoe’s serve and subsequently won the set. He could be heard saying: “are you serious man” to the official at the end of the set. Tabilo then stormed to victory and booked his place in the next round against Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
