Born in Montevideo, Vilarrubí showed promise as a junior, winning several international tournaments.

His deciding rubber win over Pablo González handed Uruguay a tie against Colombia in 2003.

He won both of Uruguay's gold medals at the 2002 South American Games in Brazil, the singles and doubles events, partnering Marcel Felder in the latter.

In 2003 went to two simultaneous surgeries while living in Barcelona and training under the arms of Francis Roig and Jordi Vilaro that put him away long time from the courts.

Considered among attractive players while in the tour and sometimes confused with Spanish tennis star Feliciano Lopez because of their kinship.