Marin Cilic has voiced his support for ‘small changes’ to be made to the ATP Tour after winning his 100th grand slam match at the Australian Open.
The sixth seed held his nerve to outlast Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(0), 7-6(3), during what was a tense three-and-a-hour fourth round encounter. Dropping serve only twice in the match and winning 81% of his first service points. It was evident that Cilic was frustrated with parts of his performance after squandering a 5-2 lead at the start of the match. Nevertheless, the former US Open champion regained composure to seal the landmark victory.
“I had the 300th win of my career at the US Open in 2014, so this is also a beautiful one. I hope I’m going to continue and gather three more here.” He said immediately after the match.
Cilic now finds himself in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the first time since 2010. The outcome continues a surge in form for the 29-year-old, who achieved a ranking high of fourth last October. He is also one of four players remaining in a draw that has previously won a grand slam title. Along Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“I’m very pleased. I felt that I played all four matches on a good quality. Today I was a little bit up and down on some service games, and he was returning quite good.” Cilic evaluated about his first week in the tournament.
“But overall I’m feeling good with the game. I’m hitting the ball really nicely, taking chances, playing aggressive, you know, taking the ball as early as I can.”
Describing himself as a ‘traditionalist’ in the game, Cilic is by no means against new initiatives being implemented. He argues that they are key to bringing more excitement to the sport and attracting younger fans.
Leading into this year’s grand slam event, there was talk about a shot clock being implemented for players to monitor the time they take between points. This however was only used for the qualifying competition. Something Cilic would like to see brought into the main draw.
“I’m a traditionalist, but I like these small changes that happened.” Cilic said about the use of a shot clock.
“I think it would have been good for the fans and for the players, as well, just to adapt to that.”
Further changes will come into force next year with the seeding being reduced from 32 back to 16. A method that was last used at the 2001 French Open. Supporters of the move claim that the 32-seeding system has had little impact on if a lower ranked player reached the later stages of an event or not. It has caused a divide among players. Roger Federer has spoken in favour of the move, but Agnieszka Radwanska remains against it. As for Cilic, he sides with the Polish world No.35.
“For the 16 seeds, I don’t see much the benefit for the Grand Slams. The draw is huge, and I think that the draw, the seeding should be the same as now.” He said.
In Melbourne, Cilic will take on Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals. He has lost to the Spaniard five consecutive times and hasn’t beaten him since 2009. When they met for the first time.
