After a turbulent start to 2019, former US Open champion Marin Cilic is hoping that he will be able to get back on track at the upcoming Dubai Tennis Championships.
The world No.10 has only managed to feature in one tournament this year. Reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open before going out to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. In recent weeks the Croat has been slowed down on the tour by a knee injury. Recently withdrawing from the Rotterdam Open to continue his rehabilitation process.
“I was very busy at the end of the last season. I had London and the Davis Cup as well. That didn’t give me too much time to rest and prepare for the new season,” The Khaleej Times quoted Cilic as saying on Saturday.
“I had some problems with my knee. But I feel good now and I hope that the new season I will have no problems with it.”
With his recent knee woes behind him, 30-year-old Cilic is hoping for a solid run in Dubai. A tournament he last played back in 2010. Eight top 15 players, including Kei Nishikori and Roger Federer, are set to play in the draw. Cilic is seeded third in the tournament and faces a tough opening match against Gael Monfils, who recently lifted the Rotterdam title.
“It’s one of the toughest draws for me. Gael has just won Rotterdam so he must in great form. I watched a couple of matches and he played great tennis there,” Cilic said.
Last year Cilic achieved a win-loss record of 44-20 on the tour. Reaching his third grand slam final at the Australian Open and winning his 18th grand slam title at the Aegon Championships at Queen’s. Furthermore, he helped guide his country to success in the Davis Cup.
There is still one thing that Cilic wants. A second grand slam title. September will mark the fifth anniversary of his triumph at the US Open where he defeated Nishikori in the final.
“You know you are always pushing yourself to win more titles. But the bottom line is that I need to try to improve as a player and to reach the potential that I can reach,” he said.
“Who knows? I can win one or two more Grand Slams or probably I may not. But I will just keep trying to play as well as I can.”
Cilic will play his first round match against Monfils in Dubai on Monday.
