Marin Cilic withdraws from 2023 Australian Open with a knee injury

Croatia's Marin Cilic plays a backhand return Sam Querrey of the US in their singles rubber during the Davis Cup semi-final tennis match between Croatia and the US at Sport Centre Visnjik in Zadar on September 16, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / STR

According to the Associated Press on Wednesday, 2014 United States Open champion Marin Cilic of Croatia has withdrawn from the 2023 Australian Open because of a knee injury. Cilic last played at the Maharashtra Open in India on January 4 in preparation for the 2023 Australian Open. As the number one seed, he defeated Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 in the second round after receiving a first round bye. However, he had to withdraw from his quarterfinal match against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands because of the injury. Ironically, Griekspoor went on to win the 2023 Maharashtra Open final as he defeated Benjamin Bonzi of France 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in the final.

Cilic has had success at the Australian Open in the past. In 2018, he reached the final before losing to Roger Federer of Switzerland, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. This was the second of two grand slam finals Cilic lost to Federer. At Wimbledon in 2017, Federer was victorious in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. Interestingly, Federer’s last two grand slam singles titles have come against Cilic. He has 20 grand slam singles titles, the third most of all-time. Rafael Nadal of Spain has the most ever with 22 and Novak Djokovic of Serbia is second with 21. 

Cilic is currently 18th in the world. He is one of five high profile players who have withdrawn from the 2023 Australian Open. Cilic is joined by Reilly Opelka of the United States (undisclosed reason), seven-time grand slam champion Venus Williams of the United States (undisclosed injury), four-time grand slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan (pregnancy) and 2022 United States Open champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (right leg injury).

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