TENNIS: Cilic says 600th tour-level win shows his dedication to the sport

Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic joined an elite group of players with at least 600 match wins on the ATP Tour, calling the milestone a testament to his dedication to tennis after several injury-plagued seasons.

The 37-year-old, who has undergone two knee surgeries since 2023, defeated American Learner Tien 7-5, 7-6(4) at the Dallas Open on Tuesday to reach the landmark. Cilic now ranks second among active players behind Novak Djokovic, who has 1,168 wins. In the process, he also surpassed Croatian legend Goran Ivanisevic’s career tally of 599 tour-level victories.

“It’s been so difficult these last couple of years; I was battling through many things,” Cilic said. “Just to get to this level, playing this well against guys like Learner, who’s an incredible player and can have a fantastic career, is just a joy.

“To reach this milestone speaks volumes about my dedication to tennis and living in this sport for so many years. It’s given me so much joy, and I love it. It’s fun to be out here still competing, and I can’t be happier.”

Cilic, who won his only Grand Slam title at the 2014 U.S. Open, tore the lateral meniscus in his right knee in 2023, requiring surgery, and faced another operation in 2024 due to complications in recovery.

The former world number three made a strong return on the big stage, reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon last year and the third round of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Cilic will next face another American in Dallas, either Trevor Svajda or Ethan Quinn.

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters