Australian Open: Marin Cilic has fought back hard from despair

Marin Cilic has fought back from a devastating defeat at Wimbledon to challenge for his second grand slam title.

Marin Cilic celebrates winning his Australian Open semi-final against Kyle Edmund. Picture: AAP

Marin Cilic was a mess as he slumped into his chair on Wimbledon’s centre court.

In the biggest moment of his ­career, a Wimbledon final, it ­appeared the Croatian’s nerve had betrayed him.

His footwork was leaden, his shots were spraying everywhere and his mental strength was shot.

Roger Federer was handing a ferocious thrashing to a man unravelling with the world watching on.

As he reached the chair, Cilic grabbed a towel and buried his head. And began sobbing.

It was excruciating to witness a star in the midst of a meltdown of this magnitude.

But while Cilic was tormented on that July day last year, the ­reason for his despair remained hidden until afterwards.

Blisters on his foot had rendered him a shadow of the player he truly is, of the competitor he had been in his six previous ­matches on his way to the final and the chance to become the ­champion of the All England Club.

It may not seem the worst ­injury but blisters can be crippling for a player.

Months after the Wimbledon final, The Weekend Australian was told by a person who had seen Cilic in the aftermath that his foot was a bloody, ravaged mess.

And Federer himself said what unfolded was scarcely fair, saying tennis “can be cruel, sometimes”.

Marin Cilic gets treatment during last year’s Wimbledon final. Picture: Getty Images

The question was whether Cilic would be able to recover from a disappointment so severe.

But the 29-year-old clearly boasts stern fortitude.

He rebounded strongly through the remainder of last year, cementing a position inside the top 10.

On arriving in Melbourne, it was clear he was a leading ­contender in the group behind Federer and Rafael Nadal.

“I’m playing much, much more aggressive,” Cilic said. “I’m feeling that I am, for most of the shots, ­hitting them really, really good. From the return, moving, forehand, backhand, serving, I think everything is in a good, solid spot.

“(I’m) feeling really excited about the final, too.”

He has played superbly through the Australian Open and will rise to a career-high No 3 in the rankings regardless of ­tomorrow’s result.

His serve, in particular, has been strong. Cilic, who stands 198cm, has served 107 aces, the ­second most at this Open.

Moving on from Wimbledon is not the first time Cilic has overcome adversity.

The Australian Open 2010 semi-finalist’s career was derailed for a period by his own hand when Cilic tested positive to the stimulant nikethamide and was banned in September 2013.

He blamed the positive test on glucose bought at a pharmacy by a member of his team.

An independent tribunal ­accepted there was no intent to ­enhance his performance and his ban was cut from nine months to four by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

It took him a period to work back towards becoming a contender at major level but there was no player better in New York in 2014.

After Kei Nishikori upset Novak Djokovic in a semi-final, it was seen as a great opportunity for Federer to break a two-year major drought.

But the angular Croatian had other ideas.

He blasted the 19-time major champion off the court in a ­manner few have managed.

And there was no letdown in the final, as Nishikori was also handled convincingly.

The manner in which Cilic overwhelmed Nadal at times in his quarter-final at Melbourne Park, before the Spaniard’s withdrawal through injury, was reminiscent of his dominance in New York 3½ years ago.

Also impressive has been the ruthlessness of his focus.

Both Nadal and then Kyle ­Edmund were troubled by hip problems, but when Cilic scented blood, he upped the intensity of his play to work them over.

Cilic has had the luxury of ­enjoying an additional 24 hours to prepare for the final against the winner of Federer v Hyeon Chung. He said on court on Thursday night that he would be fully fit and ready to fight.

And he feels the experience at Wimbledon can only help him.

“In one way, I had to experience as one amazing experience in a final and one not so amazing. So I had both emotionally great and not great,” he said.

“I think it’s gonna help me to stay focused on what I have to do.

“It’s a big motivation for me to play that final and obviously to win, and I’m feeling really good with my game, and so hopefully I can have a great match and also great energy on the court.”