AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2026

Marin Cilic

Press Conference

M. CILIC/D. Shapovalov

6-4, 6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Marin, great straight-set win today. How are you feeling after the match?

MARIN CILIC: Thank you. I feel great, definitely. You know, it was not easy day. A little different conditions than the last few days. A little cooler today. Also this court where we played, arena, is a little bit gusty with the wind. Then you know when the shade also started to come in it was, you know, a lot of challenges I have to say on then court. But managed really well. And overall really solid from everything.

The first set was bit hectic from both sides, you know, not finding a little bit the rhythm, the wind, just finding the balance. And then after when I won that first set, I put everything in good place and played fantastic match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Denis earlier was saying the same, the conditions were crazy, and he couldn't find a way and. After the first set you just raised the bar. I mean, after all these years and all the times you've been in such situations, how do you explain you keep finding ways to produce your best tennis in this kind of situation?

MARIN CILIC: Yeah, you know, definitely the first set was tough. I was 4-1 up, but it wasn't like really 4-1 up. It felt like it was just battling through. Then he came back. You know, I felt, okay, let's be solid, try to even, you know if the set goes to the tie-breaker, it is going to be vital who wins it.

Obviously, after you just playing to conditions. I started to feel better with my body, with my movement, with my shots, finding good range, started to serve better. So everything started to fall in place.

Obviously I'm aware that Denis at any time can lift his game. So I was really adamant to be very serious with every opportunity I had.

Then it's different to play when you are two-sets-to-love up. It was a critical game at 2-All. He had few break points. Still battling and finding ways, so it was great for me to keep that gap.

Q. You tied Goran Ivanisevic for the most tour level wins by a Croatian man. Did you know you were...

MARIN CILIC: I knew I was close but I wasn't sure if it was today or some other day it's going to be.

Q. What does it mean for you to level with a guy like Goran?

MARIN CILIC: I think an incredible achievement for any Croatian. I know Goran. When I was working with him, he said nobody told me I had 599. I would have played another one (laughter). We were laughing.

Just fantastic to be in this position. Obviously different careers, different times. We are both different kind of players. But also in order to achieve these number of victories you have to be so consistent for so many years. So it's a great achievement for Croatian.

Q. I was wondering because Stan is three years older than you?

MARIN CILIC: Yes.

Q. Is he some kind of inspiration to you? Does he prove that you still have a few years? Have you talked to him about that?

MARIN CILIC: No, I didn't talk to him. But we are, you know, obviously following each other during the year. We are seeing it's sort of -- it's great to see him doing great and still pushing.

If it's motivation for me to keep going for another three years, I have no idea. We'll see. Take it year after year. I think in order to play, to compete at this kind of level you have to, you know, be really professional from an early age, from 15, 16, 17 to take care of your body.

That was really the case with my own career, was always very professional, very disciplined, respectful to the game and to my body. Always, you know, having a good team around me, planning well with the schedule, which is important. Then I believe it gave me, you know, these few golden years.

Q. Do you think your generation was special because Stan is still there, his last year, Monfils also, Novak is still out there, Roger was nearly 40 when he stopped. Do you think others will be able to do that, or your generation is special, competing like you could be top 10?

MARIN CILIC: We are all aware that the sports are moving more forward, there is more science in everything. We are more aware of what we need to eat, how to take care of the body.

Everyone is individual. Some guys can have more difficult task with their injuries. But overall I feel we are in such a great times where guys can still play at 35, 36, 37 great tennis.

With Novak, you know, you see him, he's taking care of his body so well. He understands it, he knows what he needs. It gives him such a great benefit to be able to play and to do what he's doing at this age.

So I believe, you know, these younger generations are here to learn from these experiences.