SPORT No nasty stuff in final, pledges ‘nice guy’ Cilic
Marin Cilic v Roger Federer
MARIN Cilic has been urged to turn nasty and to intimidate Roger Federer as the Swiss master chases a record 19th major and eighth Wimbledon crown tonight.
Renowned as a gentle- man, Cilic ( pictured right) ) has been ordered by coach Jonas Bjorkman to adopt a meaner persona as he tackles Federer on his best sur- face.
But Cilic, bidding to add to his 2014 US Open crown, wants nothing of it.
“People are asking always, ‘Do you need to be more arrogant? Do you need to be more angry on the court, to be more selfish or stuff like that, to be able to win more constantly’?” Cilic said.
“I wouldn’t agree. There is not one formula for that. I feel obviously that emotions are very important, especially in my own case where I am from a quiet nature.
“I try to, with Jonas, with my team, lift that up, lift that spirit up. I believe that’s helping me to play a little bit freer. I’m still a nice guy on the court, too, I believe. You should ask players around.”
Cilic, 28, will carry a 1-6 record into battle against Federer, who is on the verge of becoming the first man to lift eight Wimbledon titles. But there are two outstanding matches in that tally. Cilic obliterated Federer in straight sets in New York three years ago and last season led him by two sets to love and held a match point at Wimbledon before losing.
Anointed d by 2001 champion Goran Ivanisevic as the likely champion two weeks before Wimbledon started, Cilic knows precisely what he’s up against.
“I believe this is his home court, place where he feels the best and knows that he can play the best game,” the Croat said. “Obviously I’m going to look back, as well, 12 months ago I was one point away from winning a match over here against him.
“But I still know that it’s a big mountain to climb. Roger is playing maybe his best tennis of his career at the moment, having a great season. So I know it’s going to be a huge challenge. But I believe I’m ready.”
Federer, 35, is the oldest finalist since 39-year-old Ken Rosewall was destroyed by Jimmy Connors in the 1974 final. And he fears Cilic’s firepower.
“So I’m in for a tough one. Plus we had a great one here last year. Also at the US Open, he played unreal there against me,” he said. “So I know it’s going to be tough.
“I have to play offensive.”