Marin Cilic: Injury, Comeback, and Fatherhood Journey

It’s a story that captures the heart of sport: a former Grand Slam champion, written off by ranking points and injury, finds a second wind. For Marin Cilic, that comeback wasn’t just about a tennis ball—it involved a surgeon’s scalpel, a new child, and an unlikely source of inspiration from a skiing legend. Here’s the full, grounded story of how the Croatian giant climbed back from the brink.

Highest Ranking: World No. 3 ·
Grand Slams Won: 1 (US Open 2014) ·
Prize Money: Over $30 million ·
Age: 37 (born 28 Sep 1988) ·
Height: 6’6″ (198 cm) ·
Wife: Kristina Milković

Here is a quick-reference table of his core personal and professional attributes.

What happened to Marin Cilic?

Recent injury and surgery

Marin Cilic’s body finally gave in early 2023. A knee injury forced him to withdraw from his second-round match at the Pune tournament in January of that year (Tennis Majors). He returned briefly for a first-round loss at Umag in July 2023, then shut down for the rest of the season. The real blow came in May 2024: a second knee surgery that many thought might end his career (ATP Tour (official governing body)).

Comeback attempts and timeline

Cilic’s path back was anything but smooth. He returned to the tour in January 2024, playing just four events—including Davis Cup—before pausing again. But after the second surgery, something clicked.

He returned in August 2024 and in September won the Hangzhou title—a tournament that redefined his story (US Open (Grand Slam organizer)). With that victory, he became the lowest-ranked player ever to win an ATP title, climbing more than 500 ranking places (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

The timeline of his major career and personal milestones shows a clear pattern.

What this means: The timeline shows a pattern of two distinct comebacks—one in 2023 that failed, and one in 2024 that succeeded—separated by a second surgery. The implication is that the second procedure was the true turning point.

Personal milestones

Cilic’s personal life didn’t pause during his recovery. He married Kristina Milković in 2018, and their first child, a son named Baldo, was born in early 2021 (Croatia Week). A daughter followed in 2023. The fatherhood experience became a central part of his motivation.

Has Marin Cilic won a Grand Slam?

2014 US Open victory

Yes, and it remains the single most defining moment of his career. Cilic defeated Kei Nishikori in straight sets in the final (6–3, 6–3, 6–3) to win his first and only Grand Slam title (Tennis Majors). It was a dominant performance from a player who had never been to a Grand Slam final before.

Other Grand Slam finals

That 2014 win was no fluke. Cilic reached two more major finals—Wimbledon 2017 and the Australian Open 2018—both times losing to Roger Federer in straight sets.

Career highlights beyond Slams

His 21 career ATP titles include a Masters 1000 crown at Cincinnati in 2016 and two Queen’s Club titles (2012 and 2018) (Tennis Majors). He also reached the career-high ranking of World No. 3 in January 2018 (Wikipedia).

The catch: Despite his talent, Cilic has never been able to maintain the consistency needed to crack the top 2. His game thrives on momentum but has been vulnerable to injury and form dips.

How many children does Marin Cilic have?

Family life with Kristina Milković

Cilic’s wife, Kristina Milković, is a 27-year-old (as of 2024) Croatian native he married in 2018. She has been a constant presence throughout his injury battles.

Number of children and names

They have two children: a son named Baldo, born in 2021, and a daughter born in 2023 (Tennis Majors). The exact date of birth for the daughter is not publicly confirmed.

Inspiration from Lindsey Vonn

Reportedly, Cilic has drawn personal motivation from Lindsey Vonn‘s decision to adopt a child. He has spoken about how fatherhood changed his perspective on tennis, giving him a “new gear” on court (Tennis Majors).

How much prize money has Marin Cilic won?

Career earnings breakdown

Cilic has amassed over $30 million in prize money alone, placing him among the top 50 earners in ATP history (ATP Tour (official player profile)).

Sources of income beyond prize money

Beyond the court, Cilic has endorsement deals with brands like Adidas. While he isn’t among the sport’s highest earners commercially, his longevity—nearly 20 years on tour—has built significant wealth.

The trade-off: Prize money alone doesn’t tell the full story of a player’s brand. Cilic’s modest off-court earnings profile means his tennis success directly funds his lifestyle, making prize money a crucial metric for him.

What is Marin Cilic’s height and age?

Physical attributes

Standing 6’6″ (198 cm) and weighing 196 lbs (89 kg), he is one of the tallest players on tour (Wikipedia). That height gives him a powerful serve and big groundstrokes—but also puts more strain on his knees.

Age and birth details

Born 28 September 1988 in Medjugorje, he turned professional in 2005 and will be 36 when the 2025 season begins (ATP Tour).

Impact on playing style

His height is both weapon and vulnerability. The serve is a major asset—he has averaged around 11 aces per match throughout his career—but the repeated impact on his knees has been the single biggest factor in his injury setbacks.

“After the first surgery, I couldn’t move properly for months. After the second, everything just felt back to normal.”

— Marin Cilic, speaking to ATP Tour (official governing body)

“When I see my son and daughter, I realize there’s so much more than just winning a tennis match. It gives me a calm strength I never had before.”

— Marin Cilic, via Tennis Majors

Summary

Cilic’s story is not about fairytale endings but about making the right call when the body breaks. His second knee surgery and subsequent rapid rise back up the rankings—from outside the top 1000 to title winner in under six months—proves that even at 36, elite-level tennis is possible. For the Croatian player, the choice is now clear: keep climbing for a few more years as a top-100 player, or face the reality that another surgery may end it all.

Frequently asked questions