Davis Cup Finals: Cilic forced to withdraw for Croatia

Marin Čilić (Photo credit: Mario Ćužić/HTS)

ZAGREB, 7 November 2019 – Marin Cilic has been forced to pull out of Croatia’s team for the Davis Cup by Rakuten Finals which will be played in Madrid this month. 

A knee injury has ruled out Cilic for the finals which take place from 18-24 November.

“The last year and a half has been a real struggle mentally and physically for me. Even with all the preventative work and rehab my team and I did, my recurring knee injury has continued to give me problems, and as the season progressed it was becoming more evident that surgery was inevitable. I recently did an ultrasound and luckily the results were better than expected. The rehab work was successful enough that surgery is not necessary at this stage, however, I will need to undergo a few minor interventions which will keep me off the tennis court for a longer period and unfortunately means I will not be able to compete at the Davis Cup this month. I am extremely disappointed by this, but I believe in my teammates and will be their most devoted fan. In the meantime, I will dedicate myself to getting back to form so that I can enter the 2020 season healthier, more prepared, and more motivated than ever. Thank you all for your constant support and I look forward to seeing you back on tour in 2020,” said Cilic. 

According to daily Sportske Novosti, Croatia coach Zeljko Krajan is set to call up 40-year-old veteran Ivo Karlovic to replace Cilic. 

The last time Karlovic played for Croatia was in the 2016 Davis Cup final against Argentina when he came in as cover for Borna Coric who had a knee injury at the time. The all-time ace record holder is currently ranked outside the Top 100. 

Ivo Karlovic (Photo credit: Davis Cup/Twitter)

Croatia team: Borna Coric, Ivan Dodig, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic. (5th member TBC)

The Davis Cup Finals start on 18 November at the Caja Magica and Croatia have been draw alongside Russia and Spain in Group B. The group winners and two best runners-up will advance to the quarter-finals. The semi-finals will both be held on Saturday, November 23, with the final the following day. All matches will be the best of three sets, replacing the five set matches in the old format.

The four semi-finalists will also book a place in the 2020 finals, with the two worst teams in the group stage dropping into the Zone Group competition with the other 12 sides to play in the qualifiers.

2019 Davis Cup finals

GROUP A: France, Serbia, Japan
GROUP B: Croatia, Spain, Russia
GROUP C: Argentina, Germany, Chile
GROUP D: Belgium, Australia, Colombia
GROUP E: Britain, Kazakhstan, Netherlands
GROUP F: United States, Italy, Canada

Monday, November 18

• Croatia v Russia (Group B)
• Italy v Canada (F)
• Belgium v Colombia (D)

Tuesday, November 19

• Argentina v Chile (C)
France v Japan (A)
• Kazakhstan v Netherlands (E)
• Spain v Russia (B)
• United States v Canada (F)
• Australia v Colombia (D)

Wednesday, November 20

• Argentina v Germany (C)
• Serbia v Japan (A)
• Britain v Netherlands (E)
• Croatia v Spain (B)
• United States v Italy (F)
• Belgium v Australia (D)

Thursday, November 21

• France v Serbia (A)
• Germany v Chile (C)
• Britain v Kazakhstan (E)