Cilic aura post Wimby ‘17

[wangs78]

I don’t know about others but for me, after his meltdown/sobfest in the Wimby final, Cilic’s aura has permanently become that of an Overgrown teen. Ever since ‘14 when he started rocking the beard and demolished the field at the USO including Fed in the SF, every time he was in form I felt he could dictate the play of matches even against the top players (very much like an in-form Delpo). But after this year’s Wimby when I see him play that aura is gone. I even humorously wonder if the beard is real or not. Have not caught the highlights of the Delpo-Cilic match at Basel yet... but will watch soon!

 

[Jaitock1991]

Haha. The fake beard thing cracked me up. Thanks

 

[wangs78]

Haha. The fake beard thing cracked me up. Thanks

I felt bad for him... but bearded men crying is not something I’ve seen before in sports. I still like him as a player though.

 

[Apun94]

I don’t know about others but for me, after his meltdown/sobfest in the Wimby final, Cilic’s aura has permanently become that of an Overgrown teen. Ever since ‘14 when he started rocking the beard and demolished the field at the USO including Fed in the SF, every time he was in form I felt he could dictate the play of matches even against the top players (very much like an in-form Delpo). But after this year’s Wimby when I see him play that aura is gone. I even humorously wonder if the beard is real or not. Have not caught the highlights of the Delpo-Cilic match at Basel yet... but will watch soon!

If sobbing after a match makes you think of an athlete as less of a 'man', then you must really be pissed at Federer (a WTA player) competing in the men's draw

 

[BeatlesFan]

I don't think he'll ever recover from that meltdown. What possible fear can he strike into the hearts of opponents after crying in the middle of a Wimbledon final? Whether it was blisters or nerves doesn't even matter. He was pathetic against that Hungarian dude in Vienna, constantly dropping serve like a WTA player.

I have nothing against Cilic, but I think the Wimbledon meltdown will haunt him for the rest of his career.

 

[BeatlesFan]

If sobbing after a match makes you think of an athlete as less of a 'man', then you must really be pissed at Federer (a WTA player) competing in the men's draw

Um.... huge correction. Crying AFTER a match is no problem for anyone, win or lose. Cilic broke down in the middle of the second set DURING a match! And it was a Wimbledon final, the most important tournament in tennis.

 

[Apun94]

Um.... huge correction. Crying AFTER a match is no problem for anyone, win or lose. Cilic broke down in the middle of the second set DURING a match! And it was a Wimbledon final, the most important tournament in tennis.

So? What if he did? He knew he had lost the match then and there

 

[Mr Feeny]

If sobbing after a match makes you think of an athlete as less of a 'man', then you must really be pissed at Federer (a WTA player) competing in the men's draw

I don't think that's what he meant tbf. Like Beatles said, I think there's a bit of a difference between losing your nerves and crying during a final, and showing frustration, sadness, or pure joy by crying after a match. Wouldn't you agree?

 

[Mr Feeny]

So? What if he did? He knew he had lost the match then and there

Why, though? Cilic had a bad passage of play where Federer racked up 6 of 7 games, culminating in the breakdown when he went 3-0 down in the second set. But i would like to give Cilic a little more credit than to say that he knew he was done and dusted only 40 minutes into the match.

 

[Apun94]

I don't think that's what he meant tbf. Like Beatles said, I think there's a bit of a difference between losing your nerves and crying during a final, and showing frustration, sadness, or pure joy by crying after a match. Wouldn't you agree?

I dont know if he lost his nerve there. He hadnt been playing that well going into the final (played better at Wimby in 2016) and only got there because of the draw (got Querrey in the semis, go figure). Plus, his injury restricting his movement big time and Fed playing his best tennis since 09 really compounded his problems. He never had a chance

 

[Mr Feeny]

I dont know if he lost his nerve there. He hadnt been playing that well going into the final (played better at Wimby in 2016) and only got there because of the draw (got Querrey in the semis, go figure). Plus, his injury restricting his movement big time and Fed playing his best tennis since 09 really compounded his problems. He never had a chance

I'm not disagreeing with your last point, but there was a drastic change in his demeanour at that point. He walked into Centre Court with his sleeves rolled up, chest puffed out, and looked as calm as any first time Wimbledon finalist has ever looked.
He'd demolished Fed in their US open semi and had match points the previous year. It's true that Federer was playing better, but I'm not sure that Cilic wouldn't have been secretly confident that he had a good chance if he got off to a good start.

To me, that 10-15 minute stretch where the match got away with him might have done him in. I have no way if knowing what happened there. None of us do. But the tournament doctor didn't work on him. It looked as if he had some sort of breakdown.

Perhaps - as Boris Becker said - because he was out there alone, down heavily after only 40 minutes played, and there was nowhere to hide. Tennis isn't like football, basketball, MAN, boxing,or any sport where a coach can "right the wrongs in your game plan or play. There aren't any timeouts. Theres no one to talk to. You're out there all alone,and it could have simply been that Cilic found himself isolated on centre court against a zoning Federer who was was giving him a beating in the final of the most pretigioius tournament in Tennis, with the etire world watching the drubbing and with no where to hide.

I can't be sure, but I suspect that might have lead to the capitulation.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

I'm not disagreeing with your last point, but there was a drastic change in his demeanour at that point. He walked into Centre Court with his sleeves rolled up, chest puffed out, and looked as calm as any first time Wimbledon finalist has ever looked.
He'd demolished Fed in their US open semi and had match points the previous year. It's true that Federer was playing better, but I'm not sure that Cilic wouldn't have been secretly confident that he had a good chance if he got off to a good start.

To me, that 10-15 minute stretch where the match got away with him might have done him in. I have no way if knowing what happened there. None of us do. But the tournament doctor didn't work on him. It looked as if he had some sort of breakdown.

Perhaps - as Boris Becker said - because he was out there alone, down heavily after only 40 minutes played, and there was nowhere to hide. Tennis isn't like football, basketball, MAN, boxing,or any sport where a coach can "right the wrongs in your game plan or play. There aren't any timeouts. Theres no one to talk to. You're out there all alone,and it could have simply been that Cilic found himself isolated on centre court against a zoning Federer who was was giving him a beating in the final of the most pretigioius tournament in Tennis, with the etire world watching the drubbing and with no where to hide.

I can't be sure, but I suspect that might have lead to the capitulation.

This is kind of how I saw it also.

 

[Checkmate]

What was the point of crying so much in the middle of a set?

Even he would have known that Fed was in scintillating form and a beating was coming sooner or later.

Bizzare case really.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

What was the point of crying so much in the middle of a set?

Even he would have known that Fed was in scintillating form and a beating was coming sooner or later.

Bizzare case really.

That Wimbledon court can really make the emotions get out of control. Reminds me of Sabine Lisicki in 2013 when she couldn't handle it and broke down.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Bobby Salsa had a greater aura.

 

[wangs78]

This is kind of how I saw it also.

This. But to put it simply, he lost his nerve and the best players simply don’t do that. Cilic isn’t any less of a man, but that breakdown will give confidence to any player who plays against him in the future. A pity, really, because he is a fine player.

 

[TheAverageFedererFan]

I felt bad for him. Yet, why was he crying? He is a slam champion and has been in the big stages. People like Murray playing Roger in a slam final didn't cry.

 

[Freddy Cat]

Similar situation after losing Davis Cup vs Argentina. But then all of a sudden he can get going very fast again.

 

[Sudacafan]

I don’t know about others but for me, after his meltdown/sobfest in the Wimby final, Cilic’s aura has permanently become that of an Overgrown teen. Ever since ‘14 when he started rocking the beard and demolished the field at the USO including Fed in the SF, every time he was in form I felt he could dictate the play of matches even against the top players (very much like an in-form Delpo). But after this year’s Wimby when I see him play that aura is gone. I even humorously wonder if the beard is real or not. Have not caught the highlights of the Delpo-Cilic match at Basel yet... but will watch soon!

Actually, many forget the first punch of the treatment that Čilić received from Federer. It was in the same tournament and the previous year. The sobfest was the second act.

 

[smoledman]

Cilic does seem to have lost his edge lately. Woah, he's ranked #4 in the world? Talk about a clown era.

 

[Krish872007]

"Aura"??

I don't think many players would have been quaking in their boots at the sight of Cilic - sure, the top guys may have been wary of his ability but having an aura means you can make the opponent lose mentally before even stepping out onto court.

 

[Noelan]

has he ever had "aura"?