Marin Čilić has spent most of his career answering the same question: What if?

What if the 6-foot-6 Croatian hadn’t been suspended for four months in 2013 after testing positive for a banned stimulant? What if his 2014 US Open triumph hadn’t been followed by years of near-misses against the sport’s elite? And what if two of his most painful defeats—at Wimbledon 2017 and the Australian Open 2018—hadn’t come at the hands of Roger Federer, a man who has loomed over his career like few others?

In an exclusive interview with AS, Čilić peeled back the layers of a career defined by resilience, physical setbacks, and the relentless pursuit of a second Grand Slam title. His candor offers a rare glimpse into the mental and physical toll of competing in an era dominated by the “Big Three”—Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic—and the quiet determination required to keep swinging when the odds are stacked against you.

The 2014 US Open: A Title That Changed Everything—and Nothing

Čilić’s crowning achievement remains his 2014 US Open victory, a triumph that arrived against all odds. Entering the tournament ranked No. 16 in the world, he was hardly a favorite. But a combination of raw power, precision serving, and a draw that opened up after early upsets propelled him to the final, where he faced Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Čilić dismantled his opponent in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, to claim his first—and to date, only—Grand Slam title.

“That moment in New York was the culmination of everything I’d worked for,” Čilić told AS. “But in tennis, one victory doesn’t erase the doubts. If anything, it raises the bar. People expect you to do it again.”

The win catapulted Čilić to a career-high ranking of No. 8 and earned him a spot in the year-end ATP Finals, where he reached the semifinals. Yet despite the breakthrough, the next decade would be marked by a frustrating pattern: deep runs in majors, followed by heartbreaking losses to the sport’s titans. Between 2015 and 2020, Čilić reached the quarterfinals or better at every Grand Slam except the French Open, only to fall short in the final stages. His record in major semifinals during that span? 3-6.

Injuries: The Silent Saboteur

Čilić’s career has been punctuated by injuries, some more visible than others. In 2016, a knee problem forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon and the Rio Olympics, derailing a season in which he had reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals. But it was the less obvious ailments—the chronic foot issues, the shoulder tightness, the lingering effects of a 2019 ankle sprain—that have been the most debilitating.

“People spot you on court and assume you’re at 100%,” Čilić said. “But there are days when just walking feels like a victory. Tennis is a sport of margins, and when you’re not fully healthy, those margins disappear.”

His struggles with injuries have been particularly evident in his head-to-head record against Federer. The Swiss maestro leads their rivalry 10-1, with Čilić’s lone victory coming in the 2016 Western & Southern Open semifinals. Their most memorable encounters, however, have come on the sport’s biggest stages.

Federer’s Revenge: Wimbledon 2017 and the Australian Open 2018

Few matches in Čilić’s career have stung as much as his 2017 Wimbledon final loss to Federer. Entering the championship match as the No. 7 seed, Čilić had dropped just one set en route to the final, including a straight-sets demolition of Sam Querrey in the semifinals. He was serving at his peak, his groundstrokes were crisp, and for the first time in years, he looked like a legitimate threat to win a second major.

Then came Federer.

The 35-year-old Swiss, who had missed the second half of 2016 with a knee injury, was in the midst of one of the most remarkable comeback seasons in tennis history. He had already claimed the Australian Open earlier that year, ending a five-year Grand Slam drought, and was playing with a freedom that belied his age. In the Wimbledon final, Federer was simply untouchable. He dropped just eight games in a 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 rout, capturing his record eighth Wimbledon title and his 18th major overall.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Roger play better on grass,” Čilić admitted. “Every shot he hit had purpose. Every serve was placed perfectly. And when you’re on the other side of that, it’s not just about losing—it’s about feeling helpless.”

The defeat was a turning point. Čilić had pushed Federer to five sets in their previous meeting at the 2016 Wimbledon quarterfinals, but this was different. This was a statement. And it set the stage for their next major final, at the 2018 Australian Open.

By then, Čilić had climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world. He arrived in Melbourne in peak form, dropping just one set in his first six matches, including a straight-sets victory over Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. In the final, he faced Federer once again, this time with a chance to avenge his Wimbledon loss and claim his second Grand Slam title.

The match was a rollercoaster. Čilić took the first set 6-3 and led 3-1 in the second, only for Federer to rally. The Swiss legend won the next three sets to take a commanding 3-2 lead, but Čilić refused to fold. He battled back to force a fifth set, saving three championship points in the process. Though, Federer’s experience proved decisive. He broke Čilić’s serve in the 10th game of the decider and closed out the match 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to claim his 20th Grand Slam title.

“That match was the definition of a war,” Čilić said. “I had my chances, but Roger just found a way. It’s the story of my career—so close, but not quite there.”

The Weight of Expectations

Čilić’s 2018 season was a microcosm of his career: flashes of brilliance punctuated by frustration. He reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the US Open, but his inability to close out matches against the sport’s elite—particularly Federer and Djokovic—became a recurring theme. By 2019, his ranking had slipped to No. 39, his lowest since 2008.

“When you win a Grand Slam, people expect you to be a contender every year,” Čilić said. “But tennis doesn’t work like that. Injuries, form, confidence—it all plays a role. And when you’re not at your best, the losses pile up quickly.”

His struggles were compounded by the emergence of a new generation of stars, including Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev. While Čilić remained a consistent presence in the top 50, his window for another major title appeared to be closing. Yet he refused to walk away.

Life After the Big Three

With Federer retired, Nadal sidelined by injuries, and Djokovic’s dominance waning, the 2020s have offered Čilić a rare opportunity: a chance to compete for titles without the shadow of the “Big Three” looming over every tournament. And while he hasn’t returned to the Grand Slam final stage, he has remained a formidable force, particularly on hard courts.

In 2021, he reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, his best major result since 2018. The following year, he teamed up with Ivan Dodig to win the French Open men’s doubles title, his first Grand Slam trophy in any discipline since 2014. And in 2023, at the age of 34, he reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, proving that age is just a number.

“I still love this game,” Čilić said. “I still believe I can compete with the best. And as long as my body allows it, I’ll keep chasing those moments.”

The Road Ahead

Now 35, Čilić is acutely aware that his time at the top is limited. But he’s not ready to call it quits. His focus has shifted to maximizing his remaining years on tour, whether that means another deep run at a major or a final hurrah at the Olympics. (He represented Croatia at the 2016 and 2020 Games, winning silver in Tokyo.)

“I don’t have a set timeline,” he said. “When I wake up and realize I’m no longer enjoying it, that’s when I’ll stop. But right now, I still have goals. I still have things I wish to achieve.”

One of those goals? Beating Federer’s record in one category: longevity. The Swiss legend played his final professional match at the 2022 Laver Cup, at the age of 41. Čilić, who has already surpassed Federer’s career prize money total ($55 million to Federer’s $130 million), isn’t ruling out a similar farewell.

“Roger showed that age doesn’t have to be a barrier,” Čilić said. “If I can stay healthy, why not keep going?”

Key Takeaways

• 2014 US Open Champion: Čilić’s lone Grand Slam title came at the 2014 US Open, where he defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets. The victory catapulted him to a career-high ranking of No. 8.
• Injury Struggles: Chronic foot and knee issues have plagued Čilić’s career, often derailing his momentum at critical moments. He missed Wimbledon and the 2016 Rio Olympics due to a knee injury.
• Federer’s Dominance: Čilić trails Federer 1-10 in their head-to-head rivalry, with his lone victory coming in the 2016 Western & Southern Open semifinals. Their most painful losses came in the 2017 Wimbledon and 2018 Australian Open finals.
• Career Resurgence: After slipping to No. 39 in the rankings in 2019, Čilić has rebounded in recent years, reaching the 2021 Australian Open semifinals and winning the 2022 French Open men’s doubles title.
• Olympic Success: Čilić won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, teaming with Nikola Mektić in men’s doubles. It was his second Olympic appearance after Rio 2016.
• Longevity: At 35, Čilić is one of the oldest active players in the top 50. He has expressed a desire to continue competing as long as his body allows, citing Federer’s longevity as inspiration.

What’s Next for Čilić?

Čilić’s next confirmed tournament is the 2026 Madrid Open, where he will look to build momentum ahead of the French Open. With his ranking currently at No. 42, he will need to perform well in the clay-court season to secure a seeded position at Roland Garros.

For fans and analysts alike, the question remains: Can Čilić add to his Grand Slam tally before calling it a career? His recent form suggests he’s not ready to fade away just yet. But in a sport where the margins are razor-thin, one thing is certain: Marin Čilić will leave everything on the court.

What do you think? Can Marin Čilić win another Grand Slam before he retires? Share your thoughts in the comments below or join the conversation on Twitter.