It was the unknown that really ate at Marin Cilic.
The bearded, power-serving Croat, who famously topped Kei Nishikori, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, to capture the 2014 US Open—the first major singles final without the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic or Murray in nearly a decade—had struggled with knee issues for years. His first surgery, on his right knee, came in early 2023, but the pain, the compromised mobility, persisted.
He was limited to two tour-level matches in 2023. He played just four in the first two months of 2024, never really able to play freely, to play with the kind of form that catapulted him to No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings in 2018. Once again, he was left looking for solutions.
“I went through, I don’t know, hundreds of hours of research, read on my own, got very familiar with that aspect, and spoke with dozens of doctors who actually didn’t give me the real answer,” said Cilic, who dropped as low as No. 1095 in the rankings. “So that was the extremely difficult part. Being an athlete, you feel, ‘Okay, I have an injury, somebody’s going to solve it,’ but, unfortunately, it wasn’t like that.”
Cilic eventually traveled to the United States to consult yet more doctors. This time he finally got some answers. In May 2024, he underwent the knife once again. After a redemptive title run in Hangzhou last September—where he became the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour history at world No. 777—Cilic finished the season with just one more victory. He took some more time off to get his knee right, then returned to the court this February, immediately flashing his former elite form with an early Top 10 win over Aussie Alex de Minaur in Dubai.
Wimbledon redemption
But what might have helped Cilic most was his willingness to return to the minors, to grind it out on the ATP Challenger Tour like he did as a rookie some two decades ago. A title on grass earlier this summer in Nottingham set him up nicely for a return to the hallowed lawns of Wimbledon. That’s where the veteran would upend fourth seed and home favorite Jack Draper en route to the Round of 16.
Considering all he had been through the last few years, Cilic says the achievement ranks right up there with his US Open crown; with his Davis Cup run of 2018, when he led Croatia to glory; to any of his 21 career titles.
“Lots of rehab, lots of unknowns,” said Cilic. “[But] all the time, there was this spark of desire and feeling that my level was still there. Thank God. The last eight, nine months, I’m playing pain-free and progressing nicely.”
The importance of family
A father to Baldo and Vito, the victories are a little sweeter these days for Cilic. Now 36, the man who grew up idolizing countryman and 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic says there’s nothing like seeing your sons high-fiving fans in the stands.
“It’s amazing to create these memories for our family,” he said. “Both of them cheering me on, showing me the fists on every single point during the match. I hope to keep going on this wave.”
Back in NYC
In August, Cilic will return to Flushing Meadows and the US Open for the first time in three years. The memories are sure to come flooding back: His main-draw debut back in 2008; his Round of 16 upending of second seed Andy Murray in 2009; and, of course, his sprint to the title in 2014, his lone Grand Slam trophy, which included an upset of five-time titlist Roger Federer in the last four. Finally healthy, his injury woes answered for now, who knows what Cilic is capable of.
“He’s been Top 10 for many, many years. I watched him growing up,” said Draper, 23, after his loss to Cilic at the All England Club. “He’s always been someone who’s just been the ultimate pro and can play incredible. I don’t play many people on the tour that I feel like they completely bully me and take the racquet out of my hand. He’s a great player, someone I have huge respect for, for what he’s doing. Am I surprised by his level? No.”
