Marin Cilic has enjoyed a successful career on the ATP Tour, despite having to compete in arguably the toughest era in tennis history.
Faced with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Cilic managed to claim 21 titles and a career-high ranking of world number three.
The Croat’s biggest crown was secured at the 2014 US Open, where he beat Federer en route to hoisting a maiden Grand Slam trophy.
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At 37 years of age, Cilic is still active on the tour, with the veteran making it to the third round of the Australian Open in January.
He was largely inactive between 2023 and 2025 due to a knee injury, for which he has undergone two surgeries, and the star recently admitted he was close to calling it a day on his career during his time out.
Marin Cilic reveals the thoughts he had about retirement
When asked in an interview with Sportske Novosti if he has thought about retirement over the past few seasons, Cilic responded: “Yes, there have been such situations.
“Especially after the first knee surgery, when the situation was catastrophic. As for the future, but also as far as finding a solution to the problems I had.
“Without perseverance and the fact that, for example, for two and a half months, I was just reading about rehabilitation, exercises and knee surgeries everywhere on the internet, that led me to find a solution.
How would you solve the tennis injury crisis?
“Otherwise, I would have given up a long time ago. I did think about it, but I made my way to this situation through the goal of being competitive in major tournaments again.”
Cilic missed a total of eight Grand Slam tournaments between the 2023 and 2025 seasons.
Marin Cilic says Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open run inspired him
Cilic is one of many veterans remaining on the tour, one of whom is Djokovic, who reached the final of the 2026 Australian Open at 38.
“He showed indomitability and perseverance,” said Cilic of the Serb’s campaign at Melbourne Park.
“Whatever his situation, form or physical condition, he is still one of the best at the Grand Slams.
“Last year he played in the semifinals at all four, and this year the situation coincided a little, but he played an incredible match against Sinner in the semifinals, it was one of his best matches in recent years and a great indicator of how much passion, motivation and perseverance he has had over the years.”
Cilic explained that Djokovic’s performance in the twilight of his career inspired him to keep pushing in his late 30s.
He said: “That’s why I play. That’s a big motivation for me. Why would you set any limits for yourself? I know that I have great potential, I have a great team, I draw a lot of energy from myself and my family is a great support.
“Everything is set on the right foot so that I can have good success. Whether it will happen or not, I don’t know, but it’s wonderful to be on a journey like this.”
Cilic’s next appearance on the ATP Tour will come at the Dallas Open, where he will take on young American star Learner Tien first.
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