US Open Tennis Men's Final 2014: Career Projections for Marin Cilic After Win
Grand Slam victories don’t come much more emphatic than that. Marin Cilic hammered Kei Nishikori in the 2014 U.S. Open final 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to finally make good on his longstanding potential and snaffle his first-ever Grand Slam title.
The Croatian has been striving for this moment for many years, and although it may seem as though he’s been on the scene for a long, long time, he’s just 25 years old. With that in mind, it’s fair to ask “what next?” for the new U.S. Open champion.
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Will this be the sole Slam success on his tennis CV when he decides to hang up his racket? Or will the triumph at Flushing Meadows light the blue touchpaper for the career of this wonderfully talented player?
Indeed, it was a question posed by the U.S. Open Twitter account in the aftermath of the Croatian's win:
The critical thing for Cilic at this stage of his career is that he’s achieved that elusive first title. There are plenty of quality players that have sailed through their years as an elite tennis player without ever really getting close to a major triumph. But for those who do show the class and the fortitude to make it to the pinnacle of the game, it typically paves the way for more and more success.
And if he continues to play like he did during his winning run at the U.S. Open, it’s difficult to see how more won’t follow. The 6’6” man showed a myriad of facets to his game; his booming ground strokes have recently been complemented by a sharper serve and much more intelligent movement on the court.
The result has been some indomitable tennis, with the Croat progressing through the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final itself without dropping a single set.
While in years gone by Cilic may have recoiled under the spotlight of a big match, he seemed to be relishing under the pressure this time around, as noted here by tennis coach Brad Gilbert:
So not only was he superb in the final against Nishikori, but against Roger Federer in the semis too. And that win over the Swiss was another indication that the hegemony that has gripped the men's game for so long might be finally coming to an end.
It's a narrative that's even more pertinent when you consider this year’s final was quite a momentous one, as noted here by ESPN Stats & Info:
With problems creeping into the games of the likes of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, Cilic must continue to strike while the iron is hot.
The U.S. Open is the last major title of the season, of course, but it’s imperative that Cilic starts next year with the swagger of a Grand Slam winner at the Australian Open, a venue that he should flourish at given the performances showcased on the hard courts in New York. That must then be preceded by solid performances on variable surfaces at Wimbledon and Roland Garros.
But in what will be a time of incomparable highs, it's vital he stays grounded. And a man that’ll be crucial in that particular process will be Cilic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic.
The former Wimbledon champion has been a catalyst in his compatriot’s surge in form this season, and Cilic paid tribute to his coach after his maiden Grand Slam win, per ESPN Tennis:
"Cilic on coach Ivanisevic: "Most important thing he brought to me was joy in tennis and always having fun." pic.twitter.com/szvtW7O8hw
— ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) September 8, 2014"
The pressure will mount on Cilic after this victory. All of a sudden the rest of the roster will see him as a major scalp, and it’s imperative that he comes into the upcoming season with the same focus and love for the game that’s expedited his rapid rise this year.
His game is so well-rounded at the moment, it’s difficult to see him struggling on any of the Grand Slam surfaces. He'll be a major threat in Australia, his refined serve will be a major asset for him when he rocks up at Wimbledon and his dominant ground strokes and improved mobility will afford him the time to dictate rallies on the clay at the French Open.
Having been there and done that in regards to a Grand Slam title, the hardest bit has already been achieved by Cilic. With Ivanisevic in situ and a game that can still improve, his form will be an engrossing watch by the time the Australian Open comes around.
But after a string of sensational under-pressure displays at the U.S. Open, expect this excellent player to sample a surfeit of success as his career rolls on, even if it is a little bit overdue.
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