Rising star Tabilo denies training with Djokovic, shines in the Roman court instead

Novak Djokovic invited Alejandro Tabilo to train with him before the Rome Open, but the Chilean declined the invitation. According to Chilean media, the 24-time Grand Slam champion asked Tabilo to join him for four days of training in Montenegro.

The 26-year-old player, who had been eliminated in the first round of the Madrid Open by Flavio Cobolli, declined the invitation on the advice of his father and instead traveled to the Challenger Aix-en-Provence, where he ended up winning the title a week before his incredible run in Rome.

Weeks before facing each other in the Italian tournament, the Serbian called Tabilo to propose training together for four days in Montenegro, with all expenses paid. However, Tabilo decided to reject the invitation, a decision that proved crucial for what happened later: "I told him not to go. They were already watching him. Obviously, it was the right call," said Ricardo Tabilo, the player's father.

The left-hander has had a dream month in May with eight consecutive victories. Tabilo achieved his first wins against top-20 opponents consecutively, defeating Djokovic and then Karen Khachanov (No. 16). In the quarter-finals, he also surpassed China's Zhang Zhizhen before losing in a tight match to Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.

The Chilean's excellent weeks of tennis have allowed him to climb to world No. 25 and secured a seeded spot in the upcoming French Open. Tabilo has never participated in the main draw of Roland Garros and has only made four appearances in Grand Slam main draws.