What is more troublesome is that Cilic has been so vulnerable against lesser opposition. All year long in 2018, his mental toughness came into question as leads evaporated and inexplicable losses mounted. A deeply unsettling setback for Cilic came at Wimbledon, not long after he had bravely saved a match point and recovered from 1-4 in the second set tie-break to defeat Novak Djokovic, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-3, in the final at Queen’s Club. But Cilic squandered a two-sets-to-love lead against world No. 82 Guido Pella, falling 3-6, 1-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 at the world’s premier tournament in the second round.
Pella had no business beating Cilic on the lawns of the All England Club, but somehow he did. At the US Open, Cilic made it into the quarterfinals and was taking Nishikori apart, establishing a 6-2, 4-2 lead and looking unstoppable. But eventually he was ousted by the perspicacious Japanese stylist in five sets.
There would be more instances of his frailty. Cilic faced Sam Querrey in a Davis Cup semifinal contest between Croatia and the United States on the weekend after the US Open. He won the first set and led 6-1 in the second set tie-break, only to lose that encounter in four sets.
To be sure, Cilic still had a celebratory year on a number of levels, winning 44 of 64 matches and garnering $5,187,148 in prize money. He made his presence known in all kinds of places, playing heroically in leading Croatia to a second triumph in the Davis Cup, and their first since 2005. He must be commended for willingly taking on the responsibility of the leading role on the team, and carrying his nation inexorably to victory.
The hope here is that Cilic makes amends over the next few years by closing out accounts that are well within his grasp, trusting himself more when the stakes are highest, and securing another victory at a Grand Slam tournament. Cilic was indispensable in propelling Croatia to their Davis Cup win, and it ranks among his finest hours. He dealt honorably with the vociferous French crowds who yearned for him to fail, which made his success all the more remarkable.
But I remain a skeptic. Nevertheless, despite my doubts that Cilic will break some of his old habits and become mentally tougher, regardless of his fragility as a competitor on so many auspicious occasions, he is such a commendable individual—and so unwavering in pursuit of his foremost goals—that I sincerely hope he proves me wrong. This much is certain: one way or another, Marin Cilic will fully define himself in the coming years.