It would be difficult for Marin Cilic’s past in the US Open, not to somehow inquire his last campaign at the Hard-Court Major.
The Titlist 2014 is back to compete in New York for the first time in three years and runs around the site of the Usta Billie Jean King National Tennis Center may have inevitably brought back memories of his earlier successes there. The purpose of Cilic is to use them well while preparing for his 15th head-head appearance at Flushing Meadows.
“There are flashes. Of course I am not only thinking of my victory here, more in details,” said Cilic, who takes on the 23rd seed Alexander Bublik in the first round, atptour.com told. “What things did I do well in those years when I played well, especially the one I won? What helped me to find my game? What helped me to just find my inner peace and compete at that level?
“I just try to choose a few things and if I can include them in my game, great. The feeling that you know that you have played well here is perhaps an extra boost to lift your game.”
The US Open naturally stands out as a special tournament for Cilic, but not only for his title run of 2014 in which he dropped only three sets and records a straight victory against Roger Federer in the semi -final.
“It means a life of your life [to me]Absolutely, “said 36-year-old Croatian.” Of course everything came to life here. I had a great success prior to my victory here and played in the era of not only the Big Four, but also other guys from Andy Roddick to [James] Blake to [Fernando] Gonzalez to [Tomas] Berdych [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga to [Juan Martin] del Potro to [David] Nebandian to many incredible champions that we had during the Tour.
‘All my dreams came out here, so here is coming here to always the goose bumps and always brings a bit of a sensation of a sensation:’ Can I do it again? ‘You never know what’s coming, so you always have to keep your mind open and work as hard as possible to achieve those things. ”
Marin Cilic defeated Kei Nishikori to triumph on the US Open 2014. Photocredit: Stan Honda/AFP via Getty Images
There were no guarantees that Cilic would get the chance to compete again at an event where he has a record of 41-13. He missed almost the entire season of 2023 and half of 2024 because of a right knee injury, a serious absence for each player to bounce back from their mid -thirty.
“It was a huge battle to come back,” Cilic reflected. “It is an extremely difficult position, unknown territory, when you have to do an operation. Who should you trust? What to do? What if it went wrong? Of course you feel:” I am 35, 36, do I need these things? ” For me it came down to a feeling, an idea to want to come back and having to do it for my past itself.
“Coming back here is just a plus. To play here, to enjoy myself. My family is here, my boys. They walked through the corridors here, and they were of:” Oh daddy, that’s you! That is you in the photo, I can’t believe it! ” It’s nice to have new memories. ”
When Cilic is confronted in New York on Tuesday afternoon in New York, it will be the first US Open Opening of the 36-year-old since 2022, when he reached the fourth round. A 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz ended Cilic’s Run in a five-set thriller before lifting his first big title and at the same time becomes the youngest number 1 in the history of PIF ATP Rankings.
“I also played him in Miami that year, where he won his first Masters 1000 and I had something like:” These guys are incredible “,” Cilic reminds me of the incarnation of Alcaraz 2022. 2022 When he was 19, with so many tough matches and five Setters, it was just incredible. ”
Because Cilic played most of his career in the ‘Big Four’ era, the way Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner de Majors have dominated Cilic in 2024 and 2025 a feeling of Déjà Vu. Yet it is glad to concentrate on the own unique paths of his two younger rivals to the top of the sport.
‘Earn Carlos and Jannik [their success]”Cilic said.” They are so diligent, so professional. They worked on their game and have incredible skills. For me it is also great to be part of this generation. ”
As a player who has achieved a lot of success in the Big Four Era, does Cilic Advice have advice for other top ATP tour stars who are currently trying to falter in the red-hot Alcaraz and Sinner?
“It comes down to every individual. What do you want to achieve, what is your goal?” Said the 21-time champion at tour level. “Everyone has different goals, but if you want to be better than those guys, you have to be willing to work better than she and smart with training, smart with decisions. Many things, because these guys are just on a run in recent years and don’t want to stop.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
#Marins #Memories #champion #Cilic #Open #brings #goose #bumps