The only other player to secure a major during the peak of the \u2018big three\u2019 era was Marin Cilic<\/a>, who did so at Flushing Meadows in 2014. <\/p>\n Cilic became just the second Croatian in history to win a men\u2019s singles Grand Slam title, after Goran Ivanisevic<\/a>, his coach at the time, to whom he made a bold claim prior to his victory that year.<\/p>\n In an interview with \u2018The Tennis Mentor\u2019, the former world number three recalled: \u201cIt\u2019s funny, so I was playing Toronto and Cincy, came here [New York] and then we decided to go for the first hit on [Arthur] Ashe Stadium in the night to just feel the conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you know, during the practice week, maybe I won\u2019t get a chance, so we went the first day.<\/p>\n \u201cI was hitting with Goran, and some practice guys, and I was telling the team: \u2018I mean, it\u2019s impossible to play bad at this stadium, you know?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cAnd they were laughing at me like, \u2018Wow! Let\u2019s see you at the tournament.\u2019 And I said: \u2018Okay, you\u2019ll see.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThen, when I reached the quarters, I didn\u2019t lose a set until the end of the tournament. So I was like, \u2018You see now?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, there was the great feeling, you know, coming on this huge stadium. You know, it\u2019s a beautiful atmosphere, an oasis for tennis.<\/p>\n \u201cYou just feel the ball beautifully, and so for my game, where I need to be in great contact, to play offensive tennis, you know, that\u2019s just the perfect combination.\u201d<\/p>\n Marin Cilic\u2019s route to the 2014 US Open title <\/p>\n Cilic\u2019s 2014 US Open campaign began rather comfortably, advancing past Marcos Baghdatis via walkover in the first round, before sweeping aside a qualifier in round two. <\/p>\n His third round opponent came in the form of former Wimbledon finalist Kevin Anderson, who he beat in four sets before coming through his fourth round clash with Gilles Simon in five. <\/p>\n RoundOpponentFinalKei Nishikori (W)SemifinalRoger Federer (W)QuarterfinalTomas Berdych (W)Fourth RoundGilles Simon (W)Third RoundKevin Anderson (W)Seond RoundIllya Marchenko (W)First RoundMarcos Baghdatis (W)<\/p>\n From the quarterfinals onwards, Cilic did not drop a set, knocking out sixth seed Tomas Berdych and earning the biggest upset win of his career against Federer<\/a>. <\/p>\n![\"Marin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/GettyImages-454987808-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Al Bello\/Getty ImagesWhat Marin Cilic told his team before the 2014 US Open started<\/p>\n