The Croatian veteran secured the historic win against World No. 23 Learner Tien, prevailing 7–5, 7–6(4) in the first round. With that triumph, Čilić not only reached the 600-win mark but also became the most successful Croatian player in ATP Tour history, surpassing Goran Ivanišević, who finished his career with 599 tour-level victories.
“Reaching 600 wins carries special meaning for me. After everything I’ve been through, especially the injuries and surgeries, it’s confirmation that the hard work and persistence were worth it. I still feel highly motivated and believe I can compete at a high level,” Čilić said following the match.
A particularly meaningful chapter in Čilić’s career is connected to the ATP Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag — a tournament he won in 2012, one year after reaching the final in 2011 and falling just short of the title in front of the home crowd.
Đoković. Čilić. And no one else.
The significance of the milestone becomes even clearer when compared to other active players on Tour. Only Novak Đoković stands ahead of him with 1,168 wins, while Stan Wawrinka (586), Gaël Monfils (583) and Alexander Zverev (526) trail behind. In that company, 600 victories underline a career defined by longevity and sustained excellence at the top of the sport.
Six hundred wins speak not only to remarkable durability, but also to the motivation that continues to drive him. Čilić is one of those players who competes out of genuine love for the game — a quality that has earned him deep respect and admiration across the tennis community. He has successfully spanned different eras of the sport, and as long as he continues to match up with the younger generation while enjoying the game, it is clear that his story is far from over.
A Grand Slam champion and a comeback for the history books
The defining moment of Čilić’s career came in 2014, when he lifted the US Open trophy and fulfilled a lifelong dream, cementing his place among the game’s elite. That victory marked the beginning of the most successful stretch of his career.
Between 2014 and 2018, he finished inside the year-end Top 10 of the official PIF ATP Rankings four times, reaching a career-high No. 3 in 2018. During that period, he captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati (2016), reached the Wimbledon final in 2017 and advanced to the Australian Open final in 2018. He also became a regular at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals, qualifying in 2014 and again for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018.
His career, however, has not been without serious setbacks. In January 2023, at the ATP 250 event in Pune, Čilić suffered a significant left knee injury. He underwent the first surgery of his professional career, followed by a second procedure, keeping him sidelined for an extended period.
The comeback came in a way few could have predicted. In September 2024, just days before his 36th birthday, Čilić captured the ATP 250 title in Hangzhou as World No. 777, becoming the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Tour history (since 1990). It was his 21st ATP title — and a comeback that resonated throughout the tennis world.
