How Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo harnessed his tremendous game and tireless work ethic

Perfection can be the enemy of progress, and in the world of professional athletics this is especially true. Each tennis tournament has one winner, but that does not mean the last man standing is the only success story.

Alejandro Tabilo was raised by Chilean parents in Canada, and discovered he had a real prowess with a tennis racquet. He threw himself into the sport wholeheartedly, and decided to return to his parents' homeland to begin his pro journey. It's been nine years since Tabilo took that first step, and there have been many trials and tribulations. When lesser men would have backed away, the Chilean dug in and kept his sights on the goal of progression.

Read More: Alejandro Tabilo: Tennis' most underrated versatile player?

In 2024, Tabilo reaped the benefits of that mindset with a life-changing season: Two ATP titles, a Top 20 ranking, and a win over world No. 1 and greatest player of all-time, Novak Djokovic.

Alejandro Tabilo joined the Inside-In Podcast for a wide-ranging chat about his path from the outskirts to the big time in men’s tennis.

Tabilo made waves as a young tennis player, but his march up the rankings took some considerable time. It took four full seasons on the Challenger circuit before the Chilean had a crack at the ATP Tour, but he never lost the self-belief that he could eventually get there.

Facing players like John Isner in the Australian Open and Matteo Berrettini in Indian Wells only reinforced his desire to keep pushing forward, and Tabilo never set goals that were out of reach.

“I feel like most of the accomplishments that I’ve done have been pretty surprising,” Tabilo explained. “Right before Auckland, our main goal was to make the main draws of all the Slams, because I just got back to the Top 100,” he continued. “And then we go to Auckland, we win it, and we’re Top 50. So it’s just been a crazy ride.”

Instagram was booming with notifications, reposts, stories… I was so pumped that I was just so focused on the next match and trying to continue with that week. On the reaction to his win over Djokovic

Everything changed in 2024, as Tabilo won a pair of ATP titles and reached finals on all three surfaces. But it wasn’t until Rome that his profile exploded, and soon the entire tennis ecosystem knew exactly who he was. Seeded No. 29, Tabilo booked a third-round date with world No. 1 and 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic. Once again for Tabilo, there was no retreating.

“(My coach said) like, ‘Don’t be surprised if you find yourself at 3-0 up, 4-0 up, because you could do this.’ And I just went in thinking about that, just went out with nothing to lose, swinging. And out of nowhere I was up 4-0,” Tabilo recalled.

The Chilean held his lead for a decisive straight sets victory, and it didn’t take long for a new reality to set in: “Instagram was booming with notifications, reposts, stories… I was so pumped that I was just so focused on the next match and trying to continue with that week."

Read More: Novak Djokovic suffers shock loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Rome following head injury

On the list of his proudest accomplishments, being selected as a member of Team World for the 2024 Laver Cup is right at the top for Tabilo. Teaming up with Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and others to compete against the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev on Team Europe was a tremendous honor that he doesn't take lightly. It was also a learning experience for a player still trying to climb up the game’s ladder to the ultimate level.

“One of the things that really surprised me and I really couldn’t believe is how well they know each other. Sitting with Fritz or Frances, they just talk about Zverev or Alcaraz or anybody that was playing against them and the team. It’s just like they know so well their patterns, their tactics, how they play, even how they think,” Tabilo explained. “It’s just how crazy how well-studied they have everybody, and how fully focused they are in every match.”

Tabilo is nominated for the ATP’s Most Improved Player Award after his 2024 campaign, and at 27 years old he's just now getting the recognition he's worked for. But his nine-year odyssey as a tennis player has prepared him for whatever obstacles are thrown his way, and the humility he possesses allows him to handle setbacks and success with class.

This episode of the Inside-In Podcast provides a closer look at one of the freshest faces in tennis, with a tremendous game and a tremendous work ethic. Tabilo has plans to top the best year of his life, but in typical fashion he is setting very attainable goals: “The long-term goal is for sure being Top 15. And if we have a good start of the year, I would love to make that Top 10.”