I will never forget 2017.

There were so many unforgettable moments and I learned a lot about myself this year. Many times I didn’t really believe it, but being patient is so important. Trusting in my abilities and keeping the same focus through the good days and the bad days.

Since I turned pro in 2014, I put a lot of pressure to win matches and lift my first trophy. I’m only 22, but it has already been a long road. After breaking my wrist two years ago, I needed to not only build my strength but also find my confidence. This was the hardest part, but I know that I am better because of it. If you told me that I would win my first three Challenger titles and finally reach the Top 100, I would have said you were crazy. I also qualified for my first Grand Slams at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. All in the same season. I still don’t believe it.

But what I am most proud of came in November. It was a long year. I played in 27 tournaments. I was very tired when I returned home to Santiago. The off-season and a nice vacation were just two weeks away. But it gives me so much energy to play in my hometown with everyone supporting me. And that made it even more incredible to win the title. I didn’t lose a set all week. It was amazing with my friends and family there.

This would not have been possible without them. They have given me so much. To see their faces after I won the title, how proud and excited they were, it was very special. I won my first Challenger titles in Medellin, Colombia and Quito, Ecuador during the summer, but this one has a special place in my heart.

He’s done it! @NicoJarry claims his first title on home soil, defeating Arevalo 61 75 for the Santiago ?. Third #ATPChallenger crown of 2017. pic.twitter.com/TfIfz8ZhNe

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) November 18, 2017

Since the beginning of the tournament, I knew in the back of my mind what I was playing for. If I did well, I would enter the Top 100 for the first time and had the chance of playing in the main draw in the Australian Open. But I was thinking match by match. When I won the semi-final, I wasn’t aware of how close I was to the Top 100 until I went to sleep. All the thoughts came to my head. I was thinking that one of my best friends would be able to go with me to Australia, if I won. Tennis can be very lonely and I have never travel with friends, so I really wanted this. Fortunately, I fell asleep quickly. It wasn’t like my first Challenger final in Quito 2014, when I remember seeing the clock until 4 am. 

My aunt Catalina Fillol is the tournament director and the happiness I felt was indescribable. I was very emotional between the last point and the trophy ceremony. While she was making her speech, she started crying. This made it even tougher to keep myself from doing the same. 

Tennis is a huge part of our family. My grandfather Jaime Fillol, Sr. is a former Top 20 player. He was extremely proud but we didn’t talk much because the final finished late. He is the reason I started playing tennis. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. He is a legend in Chile. He was the tournament director at the old ATP World Tour event in Vina del Mar. He ran many tournaments in the same club over the years and I was a part of that. Some of my earliest memories are from those tournaments. His face said everything after I won and it was very special to have him give me the trophy.

During the whole week the stadium was packed. I was amazed by how many people came to watch. It’s so nice to see that tennis is becoming popular again. Among the crowd were some familiar faces as well, such as Nicolas Massu, Fernando Gonzalez and Adrian Garcia. These three were the guys that I looked up to. They made the title even more special. I am very close with them too. Adrian used to live in my grandfather’s house, so he knows me since I was two years old. 

Fernando is also close to my family and one time, before the final of the ATP event in Viña del Mar, he was nervous and started playing with me. I was that little kid at the tournament that was always running around. He grabbed me and pulled me into his arms. I had my racquet in my hand and smashed his leg. He won the tournament, so maybe it was because of me. I like to think I removed his nerves. And Nico – since he became Davis Cup captain we are close friends. They have been incredibly supportive during my career so far. They support me 100 per cent and I turn to them whenever I need help or advice.

I also have to thank the fans that came to the club during the week. Playing in Chile is the best. We are very nationalistic and we love to play for our flag. When we play sports, the people go crazy. You might have seen videos of how loud and passionate we sing our nation anthem in football matches. For me, it’s very special to play at home and more when your whole family comes to the tournament. I have a few uncles and cousins that live away from Chile and they all came for the week. My mother has one brother and three sisters and I’m the oldest of 16 cousins. They were all running around the club and asking me to play with them.

It’s weird to play in a tournament while you are sleeping in your own bed, eating at home and hanging out with friends in the same week. I was always worried that it might distract me from practice and the things that I have to do on court. But with the help of my team and friends, they gave me space in the right moments and I was able to perform in the best way possible to have an amazing week. 

Now, with the 2018 season already here, I could not be more excited. I hope to play more on the ATP World Tour and will start in Pune next week. I know my journey is just beginning.

Challenger Chronicles I: Amir Weintraub
Challenger Chronicles II: Skupski Brothers
Challenger Chronicles III: Jason Jung
Challenger Chronicles IV: James McGee
Challenger Chronicles V: Denis Shapovalov
Challenger Chronicles VI: Stefanos Tsitsipas

Ready? Play. 

The ATP World Tour kicks off its 2018 season this week at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, the starting line for an exciting marathon of twists and turns, ultimately leading to the finish line: the prestigious Nitto ATP Finals in London. 

Seeded first is defending champion and winner of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals, Grigor Dimitrov, who currently sits at a career-high of World No. 3 in the Emirates ATP Rankings as a result of his impressive triumph at the season-ending event.

“That was definitely one of my biggest highlights,” said Dimitrov of his landmark victory in London last season. “It was such a long year … so to be able to come to an end of the season the way I did was something that I really appreciated and cherished a lot as well. Also I think that showed a lot to my team and of course to myself what we’re capable of doing and just pushing the limits even more now.” 

Having defeated three Top 10 players en route to victory in Brisbane last year to open his most successful season to date, the Bulgarian looks to continue his fine run of form in Australia and kick off 2018 with emphasis.

“It’s pretty amazing. I’ve been playing this tournament for quite some time and it’s been a dream of mine to win it and being able to do that last year was something that definitely propelled my year into a great success,” said the 26 year old. 

“You always count on that start. The start of the year is so important. You should never get too negative or too positive but … I’m pretty pleased to be back here and excited to get that first match going on.”

Former Brisbane winners Andy Murray and Milos Raonic make their long awaited return to the ATP World Tour after shutting down their seasons early last year to nurse recurring injuries. Murray, the champion in 2012 and 2013, opens against either Ryan Harrison or Leonardo Mayer; Raonic, who defeated Roger Federer in the 2016 final, plays Steve Johnson or Aussie wild card Alex de Minaur to kick off his season.

Elsewhere in the draw, 2017 Australian Open quarter-finalist Mischa Zverev faces off against a qualifier in the first round, while Damir Dzumhur, who won his first two ATP World Tour titles in St. Petersburg and Moscow last year, encounters Denis Istomin in his opening match of the new season. Home favourite Nick Kyrgios, seeded third at this year’s tournament, will open against either fellow Aussie Matthew Ebden or American Frances Tiafoe. 

2017’s inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals victor Hyeon Chung starts his Brisbane campaign against fifth-seeded Gilles Muller, while 18-year-old Denis Shapovalov, the ATP Star of Tomorrow presented by Emirates, looks to build on his previous season’s success with a start against Kyle Edmund, against whom he owns a 2-1 FedEx ATP Head2Head series lead.

In doubles, Shapovalov teams up with compatriot Raonic to play the first seeded duo of Henri Kontinen and John Peers in what promises to be an exciting first-round encounter, while Lleyton Hewitt steps out of retirement to partner Jordan Thompson against Dimitrov and Harrison.