Cilic takes heart from his hero Goran
EVERYONE in Croatia remembers where they were when Goran Ivanisevic won Wimbledon as a wild card in 2001. Now Marin Cilic is hoping he can emulate his mentor and one-time coach when he goes up against Roger Federer on Centre Court tomorrow. Cilic 28, beat Sam Querrey, Andy Murray’s conqueror, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 in two hours and 56 minutes of intense combat yesterday to reach his first final at SW19. The only other Croatian to get there was Ivanisevic on that momentous occasion when he beat Pat Rafter in an epic match.
Cilic said: “It’s a famous question in Croatia. Everyone knows where they were when Goran played. I was in a tennis summer camp, close to my hometown Medjugorje. I was still a kid, not even 13 years old. I was just enjoying my tennis at that time.
“I watched with a big group of kids as Goran won. It was a big celebration.” Ivanisevic tipped Cilic as a potential winner here this year even though the pair split as player and coach summer, having won the US Open as a partnership in 2014.
Cilic, now coached by Jonas Bjorkman, said of Ivanisevic’s Wimbledon triumph: “I haven’t spoken to Goran about it. I’ve seen all the celebrations from him,
though, many times on TV and YouTube.”
Of his own form, he said: “I was aware that people were talking about me before the tournament, talking really nicely and positively about my possibilities to go through the draw.
“These last two matches were really tough. Both Gilles Muller and Sam challenged me to play on a really high level. It’s another step for me, in my own game that I’m able to produce great matches. I’m definitely ready for the final.”
Querrey never looked likely to repeat the performance that did for Murray against a player who was fully fit and playing well, and has some pedigree at these championships having reached the quarterfinals last year.
But the American joked: “Pencil me in for a final next time round. Marin is really good. He pushed me around.”