Marin Cilic, the giant who suffered in the mirror with Del Potro and returned to reach the semifinals of Roland Garros

A year ago Marin Cilic was 47th in the world rankings, his worst position since October 2013, he had just made his debut with a win in the 2021 edition of Roland Garros – he would then fall in the second round against Roger Federer – and was struggling to return to the his highest level, after a couple of seasons complicated by injury and poor performance. Many spoke at the time of the decline of the Croatian, champion at the US Open 2014 and former number three in the world. However, he never gave up on the illusion of “being again”, he continued to work hard and today he is reaping the fruits of his perseverance.

It is that after having given the great blow in the second round of the French Grand Slam against the Russian Daniil Medvedev, number two in the world; in the quarter-finals he fell into another top 10, the Russian Andrey Rublev, who defeated 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6 and 7-6 (10-2), and finished in semifinal of a “big” tournament for the first time since the Australian Open 2018.

Also, coming to that instance about Parisian brick dust for the first time, the 33 yearshe joined an exclusive club, because he became the fifth active player to reach that round in all four majorsa result it shares with none other than the Fantastic Four: Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

“I am enjoying my career, it is a pleasure to be back in shape and that good things happen to you. I feel good on the court, I am having fun, I am doing my tennis and all this is paying off. extremely proud, really happy “, Cilic commented, happy, a clear example of resilience, that quality that also characterizes Juan Martín Del Potro so much and that is another curious coincidence in the parallel stories of the Croatian and the Argentine.

The two were born in September 1988. Delpo, on 23 in Tandil. Cilic, five days later, in Medjugorje. Both measure 1.98 meters, made their professional debut in 2005, won their first – and so far only – Grand Slam title in New York and took third place in the standings for best historical position. And they both have had difficult times in their careers.

Del Potro’s thing is well known: Tandil’s man was one of the few who could complicate the enormous Large 3 in his prime, but injuries kept him away from the career he seemed destined for. First the wrists and then the cursed right knee brought Delpo to the brink of retirement. Today he is still excited to be back, although the feeling that his career end is a fact is getting bigger and bigger.

Cilic’s path was not so bitter nor his struggle so dramatic. But the Croatian also had to overcome several obstacles. The last one, that crisis that began immediately after the 2018 season, in which he had reached the top 3 for the first time and had played the final in Australia.

Cilic got off to a slow start in 2019. After reaching the round of 16 at the Oceanic Grand Slam, he was left four months without winning two consecutive games. He ended that streak by reaching the quarter-finals in Madrid, but retired before clashing with Djokovic in that round due to intoxication.

In the second half of the year, his best result was a semifinal in Moscow. He had to leave the Davis Cup Finals due to a knee injury, which had bothered him for some time. And he finished the season out of the top 20.

“The last year and a half has been a real battle, both mentally and physically,” he said at the time.

In 2020, the stalemate due to a pandemic did not allow it to have continuity. And he himself also acknowledged that his priorities had changed a bit after he was a father for the second time in February of that year. But the idea of ​​returning to his best level still motivated him a lot. And last year, finally, he was again the protagonist.

In June he played and won his first final at Queen’s 2018. In October he reached the decisive stage in Moscow and the following week was crowned champion in St. Petersburg.

“I want to give myself a new opportunity to win big tournaments and play incredible tennis, to be able to beat the players who are at the top”secured after that triumph.

In the current edition of Roland Garros, it has achieved part of that goal. First, with the surprise against Medvedev. And yesterday, with another big party against Rublev, which will bring him back to the top 20.

“My entire career has consisted of taking my chances, giving my best in every match, that’s why I’m proud,” commented the Croatian.

The title, which would give the final touch to his “resurrection”, is only two victories away. Will he get it?