Cilic became a Grand Slam champion at the 2014 US Open, ending half a decade’s worth of speculation about whether he would ever fulfill his obvious talent. He proved his backers right, thanks in no small degree to an ironic career plot twist. Cilic served a four-month suspension in the latter half of 2013 for violating tennis’ anti-doping policy. The Croat claimed his innocence, but during that time off he developed a relationship with a new coach, the freewheeling loose cannon and former Wimbledon champ Goran Ivanisevic.
In addition to improving Cilic’s already solid serve and convincing him to play more aggressive, first-strike tennis, Ivanisevic helped his compatiot loosen up and helped him break a habit of over-thinking. The dividends became apparent immediately, when Cilic won Zagreb, and culminated with back-to-back wins over Tomas Berdych, Roger Federer and Kei Nishikori in the final three rounds at Flushing Meadows.