ATP: Exhausted Cilic renounces premiere in Buenos Aires

Australian Open finalist Marin Cilic has canceled his start at the ATP World Tour 250 tournament in Buenos Aires due to tiredness.

Three five-set matches within two weeks don’t miss Marin Cilic either. After the exhausting duels against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer “Down Under”, the third place in the world rankings had travelled directly to Osijek to succeed in the Davis Cup with Croatia.

The fact that the 29-year-old’s power reserves are gradually running low was already apparent last Friday, when Cilic decided not to make a single appearance. For the doubles with partner Ivan Dodig, the 1.98-meter-hen was available again.

After three hours and 20 minutes, Cilic/Dodig beat Canadians Daniel Nestor/Vasek Pospisil 2-6,3-6,6-4,7-5 and 6-2, thus making an important contribution to the Croats’ 3-1 success.

For the clay court tournament in Buenos Aires, however, the parforceride was rather counterproductive. Cilic, who wanted to make his first appearance in Argentina’s capital for the first time, cancelled his participation via Facebook. In his official statement, he justified his decision with the heavy burdens of recent weeks.

Dominic Thiem, Austria’s No. 1, who left the tournament in 2016 with the trophy, is the new top seed of the Argentina Open starting next Monday. A clash with Cilic is only possible again in Rio de Janeiro or Acapulco – provided the Croatian has recharged his batteries by then.