In an unexpected turn at the Italian Open, Chilean tennis player Alejandro Tabilo achieved the most significant victory of his career by defeating the top-ranked Novak Djokovic. The match, which lasted just over an hour, ended with scores of 6-2, 6-3 in favor of Tabilo.
Djokovic, who has won this tournament six times, including last year, was not in his usual form during the game. This performance came shortly after an incident on Friday when he was hit on the head by a water bottle thrown by a fan. The Serbian star reported feeling unwell after the accident, suffering from nausea, dizziness, and headaches.
A stunning display 🤩
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 12, 2024
Alejandro Tabilo becomes the first Chilean to defeat a World No. 1 since Gonzalez beat No. 1 Federer in 2007 #IBI24 pic.twitter.com/1ZhozN3Tpt
Tabilo, ranked 32nd globally, played a strong game, breaking Djokovic’s serve four times and not facing a single break point himself. His win marks a historic moment, making him the first Chilean in 17 years to defeat a world number one player in professional tennis.
This loss adds to a challenging season for Djokovic, as he has not reached any finals in 2024 and has played only a few matches on clay. With the French Open approaching on May 26, Djokovic expressed concerns about his readiness, stating that he needs to improve significantly to compete effectively.
Tabilo, overjoyed by his victory, described the experience as surreal and said he is still trying to grasp the magnitude of his achievement. This win could mark a significant turning point in his career as he continues to climb the ranks in professional tennis.