US Open triumph makes Marin Cilic a major contender for Laureus Breakthrough of the Year
September 9, 2014
Not since 2005 had there been a major final contested without one of tennis’ ‘Big Four’. You have to go back to the Australian Open in January 2005 to witness a Grand Slam final without Laureus Award winners Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray.
Last night, Marin Cilic of Croatia triumphed over Japan’s Kei Nishikori to claim his first Grand Slam title in a final that not many could have predicted.
“It seems completely unreal to be called Grand Slam Champion.” said Cilic in his post-match press conference. “I have been dreaming of this all my life and it means everything to me. It is a huge accomplishment and a huge moment for me and my team.”
Cilic becomes only the second Croatian man to win a Grand Slam, after his current coach Goran Ivanisevic did it in Wimbledon 2001.
As for finalist Kei Nishikori, he was the first Asian man in the open-era to make a major final, an achievement he is very proud of. “Tennis is not a big sport in Japan and it is great to make history.”
Winning at Flushing Meadows makes Marin Cilic a strong contender for Breakthrough of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards, which will be held early in 2015 in Shanghai, China.
