Marin Cilic was a mainstay in the top ten for several years, but has dropped off recently.
The Croatian star won his first and only Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2014, beating Kei Nishikori in the final.
He reached two more Major finals, at Wimbledon in 2017 and at the Australian Open in 2018, losing out to Roger Federer on both occasions.
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From 2019 onwards, Cilic’s form began to tail off, dropping out of the world’s top ten, as he struggled with injuries.
Speaking today, Cilic explained the ‘shift’ that happened on the ATP Tour in 2019.
Marin Cilic says the ATP Tour balls changed in 2019 sparking the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Appearing on the Tennis Channel, Cilic reflected on how tennis has changed over the last five to six years.
“There was a certain shift somewhere around 2019,” he said.
“There was a shift in the balls that I felt personally. I have quite a good feel about the game. I feel at that moment, the balls became a touch harder, it was tough to play this touch tennis, smooth the ball around, it became a bit more hit and go.”
Cilic believes the change in balls favored two players in particular, who are now ranked number one and two in the world.
“You speed forward six or seven years, the top two guys are the big hitters, Jannik [Sinner] and Carlos [Alcaraz],” he said.
“Guys who can hit through the court, who move incredibly well, and are equipped with lots of weapons, forehand, backhand, and serve well.
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“Carlos has got lots of creativity, but I think for them at the top of the game, they show incredible physical abilities combined with being able to hurt the opponent with lots of weapons.”
The 2014 US Open champion suggested it’s ‘really difficult’ to win on the ATP Tour today if you aren’t a big hitter.
“I think that’s the way the game has shifted, it’s really difficult at the moment to play around, smooth the ball around, play with the opponent’s speed, use the tactics,” said Cilic.
“If you can’t hit through the court, it’s really difficult to win.”
He was then asked whether he thinks the level in men’s tennis is higher now than it was five years ago.
“I think overall the level has increased, I think there are more and more guys playing at a great level,” said Cilic.
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“At the end, for the guys who don’t make it and the guys who do, it’s small differences.
“I don’t think it comes down to hitting the ball or playing matches, it comes down to many different aspects, from scheduling, training, the way they take care of their body, nutrition, which court surfaces to choose, these small details.
“But the level now, playing the last several months on the Challenger Tour, the level is really high.”
Cilic has secured several impressive results on the Challenger Tour over recent months, as he continues his rise back up the rankings.
Marin Cilic’s Challenger Tour results in 2025
It certainly looks like Cilic has a lot left in the tank, as he prepares for his quarterfinal match at the Nottingham Challenger event on grass.
Marin Cilic reveals what motivates him to keep playing tennis
At 36 years old, some players consider hanging up their rackets, but that isn’t the case for Cilic, who still has plenty of motivation to keep going.
“For me, what keeps me driving is the pure and simple, the strong will to keep competing,” said Cilic.
“I see myself in the training, I see my level, and that gives me great motivation.
“Tennis is an extremely difficult game; lots of small pieces need to fall in the right spot to be able to play incredible tennis and to be able to perform on the biggest stages. I still feel like I’ve got the drive, I still feel that I can compete.”
Now ranked 98th in the world (live rankings), Cilic can directly qualify for the main draw of Grand Slam events, something he will take full advantage of at Wimbledon later this month.
Snapshot of the Live ATP Rankings
A former finalist at Wimbledon, Cilic will no doubt hope to produce another stellar display at the All England Club in 2025.
This year’s Wimbledon tournament is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 30.