By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Monday, April 7, 2025
Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Stan Wawrinka was looking for a thrilling reunion on the court.
However, Alejandro Tabilo had other plans, upsetting Wawrinka and halting a potential clash of Grand Slam titans.
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In a pulsating opening match at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, the left-handed Tabilo edged out the seasoned Stan Wawrinka with scores of 1-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Competing as a wild card, Wawrinka was eyeing a second-round duel against the Grand Slam maestro—an encore of their iconic 2015 Roland Garros final, where the Swiss star left the Serbian sensation in disbelief.
After marking his 15th appearance in Monte-Carlo, Wawrinka expressed his enduring passion for the sport, while grappling with the sting of “tough, tough” losses like this one.
“The passion for tennis drives me,” Wawrinka shared with the media in Monte-Carlo. “As an athlete, once you step away, there’s no turning back, especially as the years go by. I want to make the most of every moment.”
“I cherish playing this game. Competing at the finest tournaments worldwide is a privilege. I aim to push myself a little more.”
“I relish the journey—the practice, the thrill of big matches, and events like today—that’s what motivates me.”
Yet, the ticking clock tells a bittersweet tale, intensifying today’s setback. “Frustration mounts with the years,” Wawrinka noted. “You realize that opportunities to advance in tournaments are dwindling, making losses hit harder.”
In an era where many of his former rivals have transitioned to coaching, commentary, or entrepreneurial ventures, Wawrinka keeps his ambitions straightforward: “I want to compete in the top tournaments and face the best players. That’s my focus.”
The three-time Grand Slam victor, who has been on the tour long enough to see former adversaries become coaches for current stars, finds anticipation in reconnecting with the likes of former world No. 1 Marat Safin, who is now mentoring Andrey Rublev.
“He was a phenomenal champion and a key figure in tennis,” Wawrinka remarked about Safin. “I feel fortunate to have played against him. His return is a boon for the sport.”
Tabilo now progresses to face part-time Monte-Carlo resident Djokovic, in a rematch of their memorable showdown in Rome last May.
World No. 32 Tabilo shocked Djokovic with a stunning 6-2, 6-3 defeat, which stands as one of the most unexpected moments of Djokovic’s career in Rome.
“It’s incredible,” Tabilo enthused after his victory, the first against a Top 10 opponent and a World No. 1 with 24 major titles. “I’m still absorbing it all.”
“I just focused on maintaining my nerves—this is surreal, I can hardly process what just happened.”
With this win, Tabilo made history, becoming the first Chilean man to triumph over a World No. 1 since 2007, when Fernando Gonzalez defeated Roger Federer at the Masters Cup.
