"I would've had a bigger chance to win" - Marin Cilic explains how facing Roger Federer cost him the Australian Open 2018 final

Marin Cilic recently reflected on some of the most important matches of his career. He reached three Grand Slam finals, though he lost two of them to Roger Federer.

At 37, Cilic is still performing well on tour. This season, he made the fourth round at Wimbledon and won titles in Girona and Nottingham on the ATP Challenger circuit.

Speaking to Flashscore, Cilic recalled being one set away from winning the 2018 Australian Open. He admitted that facing someone as experienced as Federer made the challenge slightly tougher.

"In Australia, I played possibly some of the best tennis of my life, and there were opportunities in the fifth set to win the title. If I had been playing someone who was not as experienced in Grand Slam finals as Federer, I feel I would have a bigger chance to win," Marin Cilic said

Cilic has captured 21 titles in his career, including a Major triumph at the US Open in 2014. He also won Olympic silver in doubles in 2020 and secured a career-high world ranking of No. 3 in 2018.

The Croat spoke about the 2014 US Open final and said that it was one of the most special moments in his career. He defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets to win his first Grand Slam title, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

"It’s still one of the most special moments of my life. That run felt like everything came together, especially towards the end - physically, mentally, technically. I was in the zone, playing my best tennis, and to lift a Grand Slam trophy is something you never forget," Marin Cilic said "You train all your life, dedicate everything to achieve something like that, and considering the competition you are in, you start to think, is that going to happen ever. When I look back, it gives me a lot of pride and also motivation, knowing what’s possible when everything aligns," he added

"I had terrible blisters in the 2017 final" - Marin Cilic reveals the real reason behind his 2017 Wimbledon final loss to Roger Federer

Cilic at the Championships - Wimbledon 2025. - Source: Getty

Most tennis fans would be unaware, but Marin Cilic also reached the Wimbledon finals in 2017. After defeating four-seeded players en route to the final, he fell prey to the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer.

Looking back on one of the toughest matches of his career, the Croat revealed how blisters left him unable to compete at full strength in the final.

"In Wimbledon, unfortunately, I had terrible blisters in the final, which constrained me in my movement, and when you are not even close to 100% health-wise, your chances are very slim," Marin Cilic said

Cilic also reached the Queen's Club Championships final in 2017, but Feliciano Lopez defeated him in a gripping encounter. He qualified for the ATP Finals this year, but couldn't make it past the group stage against Roger Federer, Jack Sock, and Alexander Zverev.

The 37-year-old recently featured at the 2025 Helsinki Challenger. After cruising past Benjamin Hassan and Stefano Napolitano in the initial few rounds, he was eliminated by Otto Virtanen in the quarterfinals.

Edited by Aman Mohamed