Marin Cilic Wins 21st ATP Title in Hangzhou

Marin Cilic has made a remarkable comeback in tennis, winning the Hangzhou Open and marking his first ATP title since 2021. At 35 years old and ranked 777th, he became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP title since the tour's inception in 1990. Cilic, who faced significant challenges due to knee injuries and surgeries, had not won an ATP match in 22 months before this tournament. His victory came after defeating home favorite Zhizhen Zhang 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5) in a tightly contested final. In his emotional post-match speech, he dedicated the win to his family for their unwavering support during his struggles. Following this win, Cilic is projected to rise over 400 places in the ATP rankings, which reflects his successful return to the sport.