PARIS — Alejandro Tabilo, who has climbed to No. 25 in the ATP Tour rankings and looks poised to make a run at the French Open, was born and raised in Toronto — yet represents Chile. For Canadian tennis, he’s the one who got away.
“I was a very chubby kid. I never really looked like I was going to be climbing up in the rankings. But I was No.
1 in all the (junior) categories there, and I never received a wild card for Rogers Cup or anything. So I never really felt the support,” said Tabilo, who did represent Canada as a junior but switched to his parents’ native Chile once he turned pro. Would he still be flying the Maple Leaf, with the Summer Olympics coming up in Paris in July on his beloved clay courts — had things been a little different? “I feel like if I would have been maybe a little bit more integrated into the whole Canadian system, or if they would have been more focused on me,” he said.
“But I never really felt included. I think that’s a big reason. If they would have made me feel more secure in their system, maybe I would have wanted to stay.
” It has turned out extremely well for him. In Santiago, Tabilo found a solid training base, a professional and supportive team, support and the opportunity to represent Chile internationally. And while it’s been a slow, gradual climb up the rankings with some notable health issues along the way, the 26-year-old stands at a career-high and is seeded 24th at the French Open, which begins Sunday.
He’s.
