Maric Cilic
Photo: usopen.org
I am speechless. I am breathless from excitement!
Croatia’s Marin Cilic won his first Grand Slam title with a comprehensive straight-sets win over Kei Nishikori of Japan at the US Open Tennis Championships 2014 in New York.
“After the worry and the wait; after other years’ nerves and last year’s bitterness, it suddenly looked easy for Marin Cilic,” wrote Christopher Clarey of New York Times.
Born in the well known Medjugorje, one may be justified in thinking that perhaps “Our Lady of Medjugorje” (Heavenly Queen of Peace) watched over Marin as he played the game that has made tennis history. It’s almost a decade since a grand slam final hasn’t featured Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic, an incredible statistic that speaks volumes about just how dominant ‘The Big Three’ have been over the last 10 years.
Marin Cilic becomes the first Croatian man to win a major tournament since Goran Ivanisevic, now his coach, took the Wimbledon Championship title in 2001.
Cilic’s victory also comes 12 months after he was forced to skip the tournament to serve out a controversial doping ban. Cilic tested positive for the banned substance nikethamide at the ATP World Tour event in Munich in April 2013 and was given a suspension in September, backdated to May 1. Cilic said he had inadvertently taken the substance in glucose tablets and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). It was partially upheld, reducing his penalty from nine months to four, allowing him to return to competition in October 2013.
So, this time last year Marin Cilic stood at sidelines in Croatia, serving the last few months of his doping ban and evidently adding a few more revs to his serve. The burning sense of injustice he still feels has driven him to an achievement, which had appeared beyond him: he played so calmly and consistently for most of the match – as if the trophy was his destiny.
When skill, determination and faith walk together amazing things are achieved. Congratulations Marin! Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)