After a long injury break, Marin Cilic wins an ATP tournament again – as the player who has been ranked lowest in the world so far.
US-American Axel Nefve is currently ranked 777th in the world tennis rankings. A name that only the most die-hard tennis fans are likely to recognize.
Last week, a much better-known name was ranked 777th in the weekly updated world rankings: Marin Cilic.
But he has catapulted himself up the rankings with a historic tournament victory. Cilic, who had fallen far behind due to injury, sensationally won the ATP-250 tournament in Hangzhou, China, thereby setting a record: never before has a player so low down in the world rankings won an ATP tournament.
ATP: Cilic toppt Hewitt
The previous record was held by Australian legend Lleyton Hewitt. In 1998, he won the Adelaide tournament as a 16-year-old and 550th in the world rankings. A German also appears in the top 5 players: Tommy Haas was ranked 349th in the world when he won in Houston in 2004, making him the fifth lowest-ranked player to win a tournament.
Cilic, who won the 2014 US Open in New York, has not been able to compete in a tournament since February due to injury. After knee surgery in May, he fought to return to the big stage.
He now managed to do so with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) victory in the final against local hero Zhang Zhizhen. At the award ceremony, Cilic was showered in a gold and silver confetti rain and spoke emotionally: “I would like to thank my family, my boys, my wife – and everyone who has supported me during this difficult time.”
He only got his start at the tournament in Hangzhou thanks to a wildcard from the organizers. The fact that this was his 21st tournament and the first at the ATP level since 2021 (then in St. Petersburg) also delighted his tennis colleagues.
Ex-Werder pro Klasnic congratulates
Ex-pro Magnus Norman simply commented with a “Congrats” on Instagram, Malek Jaziri applauded, Ivan Dodig wrote “Bravo, godfather” and Pablo Andujar “Congrats amigo!!” Former soccer star Ivan Klasnic also sent clapping hands to his fellow countryman.
With his tournament victory, the Croatian improved to 212th place in the world rankings. Incidentally, until last week, the American Maxime Cressy occupied this position. He is a player who has only managed to win a single ATP tournament in his career so far.
