Australian Open: Marin Cilic on a mission to give talented kids a boost

When he is not playing tennis, former US Open champion Marin Cilic is busy trying to find the next Wolfgang Mozart or Nikola Tesla.

Marin Cilic celebrates his second-round win in five sets over France’s Benoit Paire on Wednesday. Picture: AFP

When he is not playing tennis, former US Open champion Marin Cilic is busy trying to find the next Wolfgang Mozart or Nikola Tesla.

The 2018 Australian Open runner-up is no musical talent, as his performance at a Marin Cilic Foundation fundraiser showed when he butchered the ­anthem for the Croatia team that reached the 2018 World Cup final.

One of only four players apart from the “big three” to win a grand slam since 2006, Cilic said his break came via former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, leading to a nine-year union with Australian coach Bob Brett.

It was Cilic’s realisation that many talented kids miss out on opportunities that inspired his foundation, which offers scholarships to budding scientists, artists, tech wizards and classical musicians.

“My career hasn’t been an easy road. I read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, about how successful people made it, and it resonated,” Cilic said.

“The Beatles, for instance, got an opportunity. Same as me — my parents allowed me to pursue tennis, I moved to Zagreb (from Medugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina) at 14.

“My godparents, the tennis federation and Goran Ivanisevic, who introduced me to Bob Brett, helped.

“How many talented kids in Croatia and around the world, from a poor background or community, don’t get help? I’ve been helping talented young sportspeople, musicians, artists — we’ve donated to schools for facilities.

“That small help provides motivation, incentive to go further. Maybe we have a young musician, a hidden talent, who can go onto the world stage in 10-15 years. A new Mozart.”

Marin Cilic at a fundraiser event for his foundation at the Croatian Catholic Centre in Sunshine.

The Cilic Foundation raised money for 17 scholarships at an event at Sunshine’s Croatian Catholic Centre last Friday, with a portion going to the Bushfire Appeal.

Cilic spent seven hours posing for photos and signing autographs for most of the 600 attendees, sending the crowd into frenzy when he sang.

“I usually run from the microphone. When there’s euphoria, I’m happy to take part,” he said.

Cilic faces his fourth-round nemesis from last year, ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut, in Friday’s third round after his five-set win over Benoit Paire.

“I feel positive. It’s my first proper off-season since 2014 or 15. Had two months off,” Cilic said. “I’ve always played well in Australia, although last year wasn’t my best, so my expectations are lower.

“Maybe that’s a good thing. I don’t get as agitated if I play a poor match or set.

“I’m still capable of playing great tennis. I’m not too far from my top form.”

HERALD SUN