Marin Cilic has achieved a landmark milestone by recording his 600th career victory on the ATP Tour, reaching this feat at the Dallas Open. The Croatian tennis star, who is 37 years old and a former US Open champion, continues to impress with his longevity, having won at least one match each season on the ATP Tour for 21 consecutive years.
Cilic’s journey to this milestone unfolded shortly after his defeat to Casper Ruud at the Australian Open. The Dallas Open provided the venue for his notable victory, further cementing his place in tennis history as he continues to compete at an elite level.
Reflecting on Cilic’s Most Memorable Wins
In the first round at the Dallas Open, Cilic overcame world number 23 Learner Tien in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6(4), marking his 600th win on the ATP circuit. This milestone was celebrated not just for its numerical significance but for the quality of opposition and Cilic’s sustained competitiveness.
When asked by Tennis Channel to select his two favorite wins from those 600 matches, Cilic highlighted two key moments. First was his triumph over Kei Nishikori in the 2014 US Open final, which also happened to be his 300th ATP win. Secondly, he fondly recalled his very first professional match victory in 2006, nearly 20 years before reaching this latest achievement.
“Yeah actually the win at the US Open, I think the final was 300th win so that’s a beautiful milestone,”
said Cilic.
“Possibly the first one, the first one that I managed to win in ’06, 20 years ago, actually could be on the same day as today, so just beautiful memories.”
His inaugural win occurred at the ATP event in Zagreb, defeating Igor Andreev in January 2006. The contrast between that early career victory and his recent success in Dallas exemplifies his enduring passion and resilience in tennis.
Challenges Overcome and Support from Novak Djokovic
Cilic has faced significant physical challenges in recent years, including two surgeries on his meniscus that led him to consider retirement. Despite these obstacles, he expressed gratitude and joy following his 600th win, emphasizing the difficulties he fought through to remain competitive.
“It’s just a beautiful day. It’s been so difficult these last couple years,”
Cilic shared.
“I was battling through many things and just to get this level playing this well, playing guys like Learner [Tien] who is an incredible player, he’s going to have a fantastic career. It’s just a joy to get this milestone. It speaks volumes about my dedication to tennis, living this sport for so many years and it’s given me so much joy and I love it, so fun to be out here still competing and I couldn’t be more happier.”
His milestone brings him alongside Novak Djokovic as the only active players with 600 or more ATP wins. Djokovic showed admiration by posting a message on Instagram, stating:
“Old is gold (raised hands emoji).”
This acknowledgment from one of the sport’s greatest highlights the significance of Cilic’s achievement.
Next Steps and Cilic’s Ongoing Pursuit
The players closest to the 600-win landmark behind Cilic and Djokovic are Stan Wawrinka and Gael Monfils, both retiring this year with 586 and 583 wins respectively. Cilic now aims to extend his impressive record at the Dallas Open when he faces either Ethan Quinn or Trevor Svajda.
As Cilic continues to compete, his 600th victory not only honors his enduring excellence but also sets an inspiring example for the tennis community. This milestone underscores his commitment and passion for the sport, highlighting his resilience as he competes against emerging talent on the ATP Tour.
"It's just a joy to get this milestone. It speaks volumes about my dedication to tennis." @cilic_marin #DALOpen pic.twitter.com/yx4ba4XoAR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 10, 2026
