Alejandro Tabilo 2020 dreams reaching top 50 as Alejandro Tabilo: "In 2020 I can reach the top 50" - Spraying forecasts and playing the best tennis of his career, Alejandro Tabilo (22 years old) raffled the rankings and won a spot in the main draw of the Australian Open, where he will accompany Cristian Garin, after beating Italian Matteo Viola Friday night (231º) by 6-2 and 6-3. In Melbourne he is always seen with his big black headphones, a regal object not only for music. “I always use them to talk to my girlfriend, my family and my friends, so I almost only take them out to play,” says the Toronto-born tennis player, a Chilean father and mother.

Feelings to be in your first grand slam as a professional?

As a junior I played all Grand Slam except this one. Those who say it is the best tournament on the calendar are right. I have felt wonderful and very on. I see the top around here and I just want to reach their level. I don't want to lower the standard.

Has the air contaminated by the fires weighed you?

In the videos that the fans filmed it was clear that the air was terrible, but I did not perceive it bad. I played a very exhausting game, I had to run a lot. Even so it didn't affect me, nor did it scratch my throat, I didn't feel anything different by luck.

It became the number two in Chile for the suspension after the positive of Nicolás Jarry. How did you get the news?

It was hard and shocking. All the players, Chileans or foreigners, who know Nico for sure have affected us. He hit me hard and I gave my support to the shot: I sent him a message that thanked me. I found out just like the rest of the world, since Nico kept it very reserved since he was informed. It only remains to tell him that we trust him blindly. I believe that almost all of Chile believes Nico, because he is a boy who has proven himself to be honest and correct. In the team we know that he is a person incapable of cheating. He does not deserve this punishment. That it be evaluated and investigated well so that the truth determines a fair measure. It is correct that exemplary measures are taken against doping, but in the face of errors that do not go through one, such as Nico's, we hope that the punishment is consistent and that he is not so long without tennis.

Alejandro Tabilo 2020 dreams reaching top 50

He shared with Jarry in the ATP Cup when he already knew the positive of his exam. Didn't you notice him psychologically affected?

Nothing. My respect for him for that mental strength, since he was always motivated and eager to represent the country. It must have been difficult times for him and he knew how to move forward.

And now you have a new responsibility to be a single lead singer in the Davis Cup.

It was out of nowhere. We have to see together with Nico Massú and the rest of the team how we plan in the singles and doubles. It will undoubtedly be a great challenge and I am ready to show Chile that I can give it my all.

How do you take care not to throw a positive?

When I started taking supplements, I always checked that each component was allowed. Today I take normal and my team is always very attentive in recommending me what corresponds.

Is it time that, together with Tomás Barrios, they consolidate themselves as the team's dubbers?

With Jarry, the doubles are easy because he gets very well and I can only define the point on the net. But Tom is my long-time partner, we have great communication and we feel very comfortable on the court. In fact, he came to support me after he was eliminated in the Challenger of Bendigo (less than two hours by car from Melbourne) and we took advantage of training with the technical team (headed by Guillermo Gomez). At Davis we demonstrate our quality and that we can continue to improve. It would be much better if we always played the doubles, so that Garin and Jarry - when he returns - can focus and rest for the singles.

Boris Becker was impressed with you in the last Davis Cup.

That a champion and number one like him give you accessories is very nice and rewarding. And he congratulated us in the middle of the interview, got in front of the camera and told us how impressed he was about our game. A beautiful memory that remains.

How much helped the emergence of Garin and Jarry in the elite?

Very much. For many years we had no references in tennis up there and they showed that, at work, you can. They brought forward national tennis in difficult times.

Was it a good choice to defend Chile instead of Canada?

Yeah right! It was my longing since childhood. It never crossed my mind that it wouldn't be like that. Wherever you go, there will be Chileans who support you. The Chilean fan is very bloody, it makes you feel like your family. I am proud to have taken this path. Although I was born and lived in Canada until I was 13 years old, the link with Chile is very strong thanks to my parents. The decision to represent the country was easy.

Imagine facing Canadians in a Davis or ATP Cup?

That would be an entertaining challenge. Besides that I am friends with Denis Shapovalov and I also get along well with Felix Auger Aliassime. Both make a very strong team.

And as a boy did you follow the last generation of Chilean tennis players?

Since I was a child, my dad put videos of Chino Rios on YouTube and I was attracted, because I am left-handed just like him. His hand caught my attention, I think we have a more or less similar type of game, I like his tennis style and he likes how I play, because I'm going forward. I do not have the South American style, more clayey, but I play faster, going to look for the point. What Massú achieved in Athens was extraordinary and it also remained in my memory. I also liked Gonzalez's right and I try to match. It was a very inspiring powerful generation for all of us who represent Chile today.

What are your goals for 2020?

When I saw that I qualified for the qualy here, I set out to get into all the other majors. The goal was the top 150, but seeing how I am playing now, I think that goal is modified and the goal of 2020 is to assault the top 100. I walk with confidence in myself and in my tennis, and I think if I work hard time I will keep pulling up and I can even reach the top 50.

The ATP of Santiago is also coming, where he applies to receive a WC. Does it motivate you?

A lot. The last time I played in Chile (on the Challenger circuit) I lost first, so now I'm going for the rematch. I want to show Chileans my level, my progress and display the same good tennis that I am showing here.

Will he go out to protest when he is in Chile?

We will see how the conditions are, since when I had left the environment had calmed down a little, less badly. I haven't seen the news much, but I hope Chile is getting better every day. I have not spent much time in the country since the outbreak, but of course the situation is sad for people who have a hard time with so many injustices and destruction.