ATP Tour

Cilic on 'unreal level' against Federer, unforgettable first ATP match

Marin Cilic celebrated his 600th tour-level win Tuesday at the Nexo Dallas Open, becoming just the second active player behind Novak Djokovic to reach the milestone.

In which victory did the former No. 3 player in the PIF ATP Rankings play his best tennis?

“I have to say, playing Roger [Federer] in the semis of the US Open was an unreal level. Also, Rafa [Nadal] at the Australian Open,” Cilic said. “A few of those matches were just something at the top.”

Cilic earned one of his two Lexus ATP Head2Head triumphs against Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the 2018 Australian Open. But the match the 21-time tour-level champion referenced first was his famous 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory against Roger Federer in the last four of the 2014 US Open.

Not only did Cilic never beat Federer again, but he took advantage of the opportunity he earned by beating Kei Nishikori for his lone major title.

“I would say that was one of the best connections I had in terms of both my skills, playing on the court, feeling the ball, feeling the conditions,” Cilic said. “And just also playing by instinct, being free, playing by the instinct and everything is flowing beautifully. That was just pure — just absolutely pure, pure tennis.”

Ironically, the match after Cilic’s victory against Learner Tien Tuesday in Dallas was between Alex Michelsen and Grigor Dimitrov. Michelsen’s coach, Kristof Vliegen, was Cilic’s opponent in his first ATP Tour match more than 20 years ago. Vliegen defeated Cilic 7-5, 6-2 in 2005 in Umag.

“I remember that I was feeling relaxed before the match. Everything was fine. And just preparing for the match, no nerves,” Cilic said. “But when we started the warm-up during the match and the announcer announced me in front of a packed stadium in Croatia, I got such a great welcome and a great applause there.

“My legs were gone. I wasn't feeling my legs anymore.”

Cilic vividly remembers the conditions that day in his home country, where he competed on the ATP Tour aged 16.

“We were playing in the brutal heat of Umag and I still remember that it was one of the most difficult days as a youngster,” Cilic said. “Finishing the first set, I was looking to the referee to get the medical and I couldn't see him.

“Everything was black, so it was an interesting experience, but it was a beautiful one.”

Now 37, Cilic stands alone with Djokovic (1,168 wins) as the only active men with 600 tour-level wins. With the amount of respect he has for the Serbian, it makes the accomplishment even more special.

“Definitely, but he is too far ahead,” Cilic said, cracking a laugh. “It's such a credit to the longevity we had in our careers and so many years on the Tour. We have had some great seasons.

“You have some difficult moments, going through many things. But the passion, the drive, the grit stays and that definitely has helped me to reach this milestone.”