Alejandro Tabilo of Chile celebrates his singles semi-final win at the ASB Classic in Auckland, in January. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The 2024 ASB Men's Classic champion Alejandro Tabilo will return to defend his tennis title in Auckland, a title that sparked a remarkable 2024 season for the up-and-comer.
The 27-year-old Canadian-born Chilean bagged his first ever ATP title at Auckland in January, after going through qualifying at the ASB Classic.
Tabilo reached a placing of 83 in 2023, which was not high enough to earn an automatic entry to the ASB Classic last year, but now sits at No 22 in the world.
Since his win in Auckland, Tabilo has won two ATP titles, along with a stunning victory over multiple grand slam winner Novak Djokovic on his way to the semi-final of the 1000-level Rome Masters, which helped catapult him to a career-high international placing of 19.
The Chilean has won more than half of his career $US2.8 million earnings to date in his break-out 2024 season, which began in Auckland.
"It was my first title. It was unbelievable. It was an unreal week and I was just so happy to get my first win in Auckland," Tabilo said.
"What pleased me most since that win is just the consistency I have had this whole year.
"More than the wins, is just being able to stay in the high ranking and keep going with these guys head-to-head. Obviously the win with Djokovic was surreal and gave me the confidence that I can compete with those guys."
Tabilo is focussed on further developing his career and defending his title at the ASB Tennis Arena in January.
"It is nice to come back to Auckland as the defending champion - with a bit more pressure, but I want to do the best I can and try to defend that title.
"I loved playing there - it is a great atmosphere and I feel so comfortable playing on those courts."
ASB Classic Tournament Director Nicolas Lamperin said the performance of Tabilo magnifies what the tournament can do for a rising player and the important role it can have in a player's career.
"Alejandro is one of the great tennis stories on the ATP Tour in 2024, and it is a thrill for all of us at the ASB Classic that we were able to provide the platform to springboard his career," Lamperin said.
"While we love to bring top names to Auckland, fans should realise that all of the players who line-up at the ASB Classic are world-class and all have the capability to progress up the rankings.
"Many, like Tabilo, are hoping for that one big result, [that] can provide the platform for them to begin to realise their potential."
Lamperin said further top-line players are under negotiation at present, and he expects them to be finalised in the coming weeks.
