Will Marin Cilic be a one slam wonder?

2014 US Open Triumph

One Time Winners

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Verdict: One Grand Slam

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When Marin Cilic won the 2014 US Open, talk of a new era in men’s tennis was at it’s peak. The Croatian was heralded for ushering in the next generation of players who were going to end the dominance of the Big Four once and for all.

Cilic said after his victory as Flushing Meadows that he hopes to inspire other players

Whilst the following Grand Slam Final, the 2015 Australian Open, was contested by none other than Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, the events of 2014 have certainly opening things up for the better. When these kind of shocks happen in sport, the rest of the field gain new belief over what they could achieve.

We have already expressed our opinions on the only other two current single Grand Slam winners, Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro, will fare, and Marin Cilic, at 26 years old, is the youngest and arguably the most likey to add to his major haul.

May 30, 2014; Paris, France; Marin Cilic (CRO) in action during his match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) on day six at the 2014 French Open at Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY SportsMullane-USA TODAY Sports

Watching the US Open final between Marin Cilic was very unusual, so much so that I literally pinched myself in order to confirm that I wasn’t dreaming. It has been a decade since a member of the Big Four was not contesting a major final.

Cilic won it at a canter, benefiting from it not only being his first time in a Grand Slam final. With Goran Ivanisevic in his camp, the mental deficiencies that we had come to associate were gone and he was able to play his own, free flowing style.

Admirably bouncing back from a drug ban, Cilic muscled his way through the draw without looking overly troubled. His run to the title was made up of straight sets wins over Berdych, then Federer and ultimately Nishikori. Hugely, hugely impressive.

His serve was lethal, with a strange yet somehow fluid motion earning him a ridiculous amount of free points. His forehand and backhand were rushing through the court as he was able to display ‘easy power’ better than any instructional video.

Cilic said after his victory as Flushing Meadows that he hopes to inspire other players that it is possible to win a Grand Slam in such a tough era. In my eyes I feel like he should have taken the bulk of said inspiration for himself.

He had done something only a handful of men had achieved in the last decade and he was already sharing the spoils. Attitude is what I highlighted as a worry for del Potro, also 26 years old, going forward and I hope the same doesn’t apply to Cilic.

One-time Grand Slam winners at the Australian Open. *Denotes current player.

It is clear that to win a Grand Slam required a player to be incredible single minded. Determination doesn’t quite cut it and with the top guys, you have to add in focus, almost to a degree of selfishness. Similarly, confidence and self-belief bordering on arrogance.

The Croatian number 1 and world number 8 has barely been in the court since his breakout win because of injury, but one thing it will be important to look as is the air he gives off. Will he carry himself like the reigning US Open champion?

If he has any hope of repeating his feat then you would have to say the Cilic will have it tougher second time around. He will not get another major as easily as the first, which is the opposite of what you would say for most players. Fortunately in the final, his mental toughness was not placed under too much scrutiny.

I think that despite the confidence from his US Open win, Cilic will not be in such a position again. His game is scary when firing on all cylinders and is at the requisite level to challenge at the majors, so it may happen. If it does, I think Wimbledon could be the unlikely scene for the Croat to double his tally and escape the tag of a one slam wonder.

Next: Will Stan Wawrinka be a one slam wonder?

Richard Krajicek

Andy Roddick

Juan Martin Del Potro*

Manuel Orantes

Marin Cilic*

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