Why is Cilic not popular?

[Gary Duane]

I don't like his game. I seen nothing special about it. He's not a very good returner, and for someone that tall his serve is not that reliable. Nothing about his tennis excites me.

But about him personally? There is nothing I dislike. Seems like a really nice guy.

 

[ak24alive]

I agree. Marin always strikes me as super-friendly in interviews, always talks kindly about his opponents and seems like a very nice person.

I think he is perhaps too "neutral" in his behaviour to become really popular, and I like that he doesn't "try" to become popular. Nothing forced about him.

I like his game, too With better tactical skills, he would have had a better H2H versus the top dogs.

I read some big name in tennis said that Marin paid too much respect to players at the beginning of his career and that affected his performance. It took him years to figure that problem out.

 

[junior74]

I read some big name in tennis said that Marin paid too much respect to players at the beginning of his career and that affected his performance. It took him years to figure that problem out.

Ah, I can see that. He comes across as humble on the border to self-effacing, especially for a top athlete...

I hope he has another slam in him. Top contender for Wimbledon and especially US Open, if it's not slow again this year

 

[ak24alive]

Ah, I can see that. He comes across as humble on the border to self-effacing, especially for a top athlete...

I hope he has another slam in him. Top contender for Wimbledon and especially US Open, if it's not slow again this year

Let Fedr win everything for the next 3 years please Cilic can have his Wimbledon at the age of 32-33. It's possible. Fedal has shown it.

 

[George Turner]

I read some big name in tennis said that Marin paid too much respect to players at the beginning of his career and that affected his performance. It took him years to figure that problem out.

Perhaps he's "too much" of a nice guy, to the extent his performance is affected. Fans do prefer a fierce competitor.

Never quite understood the disparity of popularity compared to someone like Del Potro but that makes sense.

 

[junior74]

Let Fedr win everything for the next 3 years please Cilic can have his Wimbledon at the age of 32-33. It's possible. Fedal has shown it.

I believe Cilic will be better with age.
His biggest challenges are overall consistency and playing big points well, which may improve with age

Not sure how many times we've said "this is Federer's last chance"...

 

[Bender]

His shots seem so erratic, so his game overall feels somewhat jarring.

Like a lot of the other good players with only a small following, he doesn't have much flair that makes him stand out from the rest.

 

[Plamen1234]

Ah, I can see that. He comes across as humble on the border to self-effacing, especially for a top athlete...

I hope he has another slam in him. Top contender for Wimbledon and especially US Open, if it's not slow again this year

Cilic is the second favorite for Wimbledon this year.Interestingly to note that from 2014 until now Cilic losses at Wimbledon were to the future champions with the exception of 2016 - Djokovic (2014 and 2015) and Federer (2016 and 2017). He shouldnt be underestimated because of the last year performance in the final

 

[van_Loederen]

there's simply no reason to like him.

imo he has the most boring game in the top 37 or so.

i'd rather watch even Anderson, Raonic, Isner, Querrey for the freakiness.

 

[Stretchy Man]

Yeah. I feel terrible for him.

Bloody hell! This is his girlfriend and all you guys want to talk about is Federer and Nadal. Why didn't anyone mention this before?!

 

[Stretchy Man]

I'll definitely be watching more of his matches.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Bloody hell! This is his girlfriend and all you guys want to talk about is Federer and Nadal. Why didn't anyone mention this before?!

They got married in April.

 

[Djorau]

It was quite unfair for him. Even the one tricky pony servebot Krajicek also got loads of support in TTW.

 

[Legend of Borg]

i was just reading a comment on youtube from an interview at queens

"He is a Croat so they don't see him and The Serbian so marketable. It's called World Economics even in sports look at Federer or Nadal or Murray ask where they are from. Swiss is the European economy market point. England is the centre of European finance and Spain is also one of the major leaders in European finance. It's sad that Djokovic or Cilic isnt as respected as the others."

this might have more truth than people think

it's easier to market western players over anyone from the eastern bloc or the "wild" balkans

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

i was just reading a comment on youtube from an interview at queens

"He is a Croat so they don't see him and The Serbian so marketable. It's called World Economics even in sports look at Federer or Nadal or Murray ask where they are from. Swiss is the European economy market point. England is the centre of European finance and Spain is also one of the major leaders in European finance. It's sad that Djokovic or Cilic isnt as respected as the others."

this might have more truth than people think

it's easier to market western players over anyone from the eastern bloc or the "wild" balkans

Wasn't Goran fairly liked?

 

[MLRoy]

i remember him ruining wimbledon finals by crying after he didn't win the 1st set.

Yes, but it was for a good reason. ;^)B

 

[EloQuent]

i was just reading a comment on youtube from an interview at queens

"He is a Croat so they don't see him and The Serbian so marketable. It's called World Economics even in sports look at Federer or Nadal or Murray ask where they are from. Swiss is the European economy market point. England is the centre of European finance and Spain is also one of the major leaders in European finance. It's sad that Djokovic or Cilic isnt as respected as the others."

this might have more truth than people think

it's easier to market western players over anyone from the eastern bloc or the "wild" balkans

Specifically the Balkans remind people of the wars in the 90s, deserved or not. Not so sure 'bout that "Spanish finance" but the Spanish speaking market is huge.

 

[Legend of Borg]

Wasn't Goran fairly liked?

i was not a huge tennis fan during the time he played so i don't know what the prevailing opinion at the time was regarding goran

i know he's very well liked now and known for his personality and big character

maybe the tennis historians will see marin cilic differently after her retires

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

i was not a huge tennis fan during the time he played so i don't know what the prevailing opinion at the time was regarding goran

i know he's very well liked now and known for his personality and big character

maybe the tennis historians will see marin cilic differently after her retires

Also I think I've seen Karlovic and Ljubicic (as a player) getting more support from the tennis (fan) community than Cilic.

 

[Searah]

Yes, but it was for a good reason. ;^)B

i still wonder tho.. would he have played the crying/reveal injury card had he won the first set tho.

 

[Rubens]

Yeah. I feel terrible for him.

Yea I don't think he needs our love.

 

[FatFedererFanTurnsSlim]

I like Cilic. Hated him for a while in 2014 but January 29 2017 has made me forget it.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I feel bad for him. All Fed fans hate him because of USO.

Thank for for speaking for all of the millions of Fed fans, and still getting it wrong. Using this logic, why do almost all Fed fans adore Del Po and not hate him for 2009 US0?

 

[VaporDude95]

Jealousy of his good looks.

He looks like a praying mantis

 

[VaporDude95]

Will always have a soft spot for him for the beat down he gave Federer at USO 2014. Though the way he folded at Wimby 2017 was pitiful.

What about the beatdown that he gave Nadal?

 

[Shaolin]

Because he looks like Gargamel.

Actually that's the only thing that stands out about him. He is very bland and uninteresting. Also, note to OP he isn't just unpopular on the boards he's unpopular in general....recently he had a post match interview and not a single person was there...I remember Carillo cackling on about it.

 

[EloQuent]

I kind of felt bad for him at last year's Wimbledon. Just sitting there in front of everyone, poor guy.

People mock him, but have you ever been in that kind of stressful situation, facing that disappointment at being unable to do your best? It's tough.

 

[prairiegirl]

Suspended for doping.

That was five years ago. Nothing since.

 

[DARTHSEID]

Kilik has a very confusing name.
Not spelling wise but I couldn't figure out how to pronounce it until I heard a commie say it during a match.

 

[Fabresque]

His game is pretty boring, but he’s been doing well with it for over a year now, way past his one slam wonder season.

I don’t think there’s anything to dislike about his personality. He’s pretty lowkey and seems like a genuine nice, humble guy.

Notice the word genuine, because some players like Del Potro and Djokovic are called “nice guys” but more often than not they aren’t nice, it’s just a forced personage. Cilic genuinely seems nice, whereas Del Potro and Djokovic seem like they’re forcing a nice personality and every once in a while they slip up (Djokovic berating the umpire, Del Potro timewasting being called out by a few players).

 

[EloQuent]

That was five years ago. Nothing since.

Some people have long memories. Shapovalov killed an umpire, did you know?

 

[tenisdecente]

Marin looks like a nice guy to me. I felt really bad for him in that Wimby final. Also I liked how he smiled in the AO ceremony while Rog was crying. It was a lovely moment. Cilic seems like a great guy. I like him.

this

I like him. No frills, no ********. Has a decent game, always gives his best (besides one match). Decently spoken.

I take him over cry baby mr dramatic del potro.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

absolutely this. I dont dig Del Potro unlike most of this forum. And that meltdown in Davis Cup against him does not help the tandilense cause in me

I like Cilic. Seems like a really agreeable and humble guy.

And not in a politically correct "forced" way like Fedal often come off as.

this too

What is boring? Are others great singers or dancers?

He looks to be very level headed guy and wants to be good tennis player.

and this

You have to wonder why a guy like this, who has 2 slam finals and 1 slam title at his name, has zero support here. I think it is because maybe 75% of the forum are pro Fedr/the epic/the serb and the rest goes from Del Potro, Dimitrov (honestly, why this guy has more support than Cilic? Maybe his looks?) and Nishikori (understandable since he is Asian). I prefer Cilic as a whole (person/tennis player) over any of those guys. He looks humble and down to Earth, and most important, he looks authentic.
Maybe some guys are envious because he has a hot wife? Who knows, in this forum you can expect absolutely all kind of weird things

Fnally, I have to say that when his game is on, he is great to watch. Not anyone cup of tea, I understand

 

[MasturB]

That was five years ago. Nothing since.

Doesnt matter. Like Sharapova, once you get caught the scar never goes away.

 

[EloQuent]

Doesnt matter. Like Sharapova, once you get caught the scar never goes away.

At least with Cilic he won afterwards, when he couldn't risk it and was probably clean.

 

[sredna42]

I like him, I think he's mostly unliked simply because of his bland persona, along with good 'ol anti-halo effect.

He's a ball basher, but I really like how aggressive and angry his ground game is.

 

[sredna42]

Doesnt matter. Like Sharapova, once you get caught the scar never goes away.

As if every single ATP pro isn't using any and every hormone, SARM, peptide, chemical, ungment, lotion, potion etc they can get away with, if but to stay on a level playing field. And not just tennis, every professional sport.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Because he looks like Gargamel.

Actually that's the only thing that stands out about him. He is very bland and uninteresting. Also, note to OP he isn't just unpopular on the boards he's unpopular in general....recently he had a post match interview and not a single person was there...I remember Carillo cackling on about it.

Yeah, I heard the same from the Tennis Podcast. Not sure if it was Carillo who said it.

 

[EloQuent]

Yeah, I heard the same from the Tennis Podcast. Not sure if it was Carillo who said it.

Sounds familiar, and I think it was Catherine.

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Sounds familiar, and I think it was Catherine.

Carillo was recently there but that was during the FO and she talked about Sloane and Halep.

 

[JasonZ]

He is simply boring, personality and gamewise. But so are 99% of atp players

 

[Sum Buddy Ells]

You ever see a person who walks into room and it seems like their personality lights up a room with their charisma? I used to envy individuals like this, they are the life of the party well spoken and people flock/admire them. Some people have it naturally or some people work on it but others don't like the limelight as much and prefer a quieter existence such as Cilic.

You either crave the attention or you don't, I think Cilic fits this bill as a person who is less famous, but who can be more private and to himself and his family. Nothing wrong with that....its what is right for you.

I think that applies to Thiem just as much (who himself admits to being shy/low-key in general) except Thiem is younger, more conventionally handsome, and currently lauded for his ability to challenge Rafa on clay. So naturally he'll stand out more than Cilic

 

[marc45]

Dunno but you are right. Day after he won USO I believe Nadals FB page congratulating him had more likes than Cilics page holding the trophy and Nadal didnt even go to NY that year if I remember.

that's funny, and sad

 

[Thundergod]

I actually like watching his game when he's not spraying errors all over the place. I don't find his game boring at all. I like Cilic overall, but he's probably not popular because he's usually quiet and never wants to put himself out there.

 

[bhpower]

Dull game, dull personality although I like to see him against the top players.

 

[King No1e]

Don’t you find it just a bit quixotic that the same two fellows are at the top of both the strong and weak eras?

One might extrapolate from this the two players are so strong whenever they’re on point they create a weak era vortex.

Strong Era is Weak Era.

No, it depends on the rest of the field. First of all, today there are only 2 elites at the top; Nadal and Federer. During the golden era (2010-13) there were 4 (Djokovic and Murray). Also in the Golden Era, the 5-6 players right below the B4 reached Slam QFs and often SFs with regularity; Soderling (2010-11), Tsonga (2011-13), Del Potro (2013), Berdych, and Ferrer were constant imposing presences on the tour, remaining a cut above everyone else. Today, we have a #3 who has reached exactly 1 QF, Thiem who is a pure clay specialist, and very inconsistent characters in Dimitrov, Cilic, and Anderson.

It is undeniable that the sun has set on the Golden Age

 

[MLRoy]

i still wonder tho.. would he have played the crying/reveal injury card had he won the first set tho.

I still can't believe that happened. I've never seen ANY match, recreational on up, where that's happened. If winning Wimbledon didn't ensure winning a fortune, I'd have to think he was bribed to tank. Obviously, I don't think he tanked (I have to spell that out for people w/ poor reading comprehension.), but I still don't get it. Maybe he wore the same sneakers the previous rounds, and didn't wear a fresh pair because they were "lucky" sneakers; thus, the blister of all blisters.

I guess I have little sympathy for him because not long before that match I saw a brief clip of the female GOAT, Margaret Court, talking about spraining her ankle before her winning 14-12 11-9 Wimbledon final. She received a one-time-only shot in the ankle, good for 2 hrs. But, 50 yrs later they can't control the pain of a blister?! smfh

 

[Nostradamus]

I don't like his game. I seen nothing special about it. He's not a very good returner, and for someone that tall his serve is not that reliable. Nothing about his tennis excites me.

But about him personally? There is nothing I dislike. Seems like a really nice guy.

he needs to act more like Goran ivanisevic then he will be more popular

 

[wangs78]

I used to like him more when he didn’t have the beard, bc that look suited his personality better (quiet, sensitive, great game but tended to mentally wither against the big boys). Once he grew the beard I just felt he became a bit of a fraud (except when he went into God mode at the USO). But in general he is now that guy who tries to look tough but isn’t.

 

[Gary Duane]

he needs to act more like Goran ivanisevic then he will be more popular

I think he just needs to win more.

Goran won 22 titles and was in 27 more finals - 49

Cilic is 17-14, 31. Even there we have a big difference. But Goran went out with a bang, winning Wimbledon. That's what we remember. He finally got that major. Cilic won the USO in 2014, so his career has dragged on 4 more years without similar results. A decisive win in a major, again, would solidify his resume.

 

[Rafa24]

Cilic is one of the players who lacks any fans here, a bit like Raonic. But what is the reason for this?

He is a bit of a choker against the big four, but then so are Nishikori and Dimitrov who are both TW favourites.

He plays a ball bashing type game, but then so do TW favourites Del Potro and Thiem.

Is it his personality? He's not the life and soul of the party but he doesn't seem a nasty character either.

Where did Cilic go wrong in the popularity stakes.

I dislike him for cheering and going nuts like he won a slam when Nadal was obviously hurt and he retired in the 5th. His celebration afterwords isn't something I'd expect from someone like Tomic even. I didn't like cilic before. even less after that.