On the fourth day of Wimbledon 2025, two remarkable performances lit up the lawns of the All England Club, as Marin Čilić and August Holmgren delivered stirring victories that defied expectations and reignited the spirit of perseverance in tennis.
Marin Čilić’s resurgence against Jack Draper
At 36 years old and returning to Wimbledon after a long injury hiatus, Marin Čilić faced British No. 1 Jack Draper, a rising star seeded fourth. The odds were stacked against the Croatian veteran, but Čilić turned back the clock with a commanding 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 win. His serve was a weapon once again, firing 16 aces and 53 winners, overwhelming Draper with flat, penetrating groundstrokes that exploited the Brit’s forehand vulnerabilities.
Čilić’s performance was not just about power—it was about experience, composure, and belief. Despite a third-set dip, he regrouped and closed out the match with poise, reminding fans of the form that took him to the Wimbledon final in 2017 and earned him a US Open title in 2014. His victory was a powerful reminder that age and injury are not insurmountable barriers when matched with determination and skill.
August Holmgren’s five-set epic over Tomas Machac
If Čilić’s win was a masterclass in veteran resilience, August Holmgren’s triumph was a showcase of youthful grit and mental toughness. The Danish qualifier stunned 21st seed Tomas Machac in a five-set thriller: 7-6(5), 6-7(8), 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(10-5). The match lasted nearly five hours and featured Holmgren saving three match points in the fourth set while trailing 0-40 at 4-5.
Holmgren, who had already battled through qualifying rounds and saved match points in earlier matches, showed nerves of steel and a relentless fighting spirit. His 35 aces and aggressive play kept Machac on the defensive, and his ability to stay composed in the final-set tiebreak sealed one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament so far.
A day that celebrated resilience
Both victories stood out not just for their technical brilliance, but for the emotional weight they carried. Čilić’s return to form after multiple knee surgeries and Holmgren’s rise from the qualifying trenches to the third round captured the essence of Wimbledon—where tradition meets tenacity, and where every match can become a story of redemption or breakthrough.
As the tournament progresses, these two performances will be remembered as defining moments of Day 4, inspiring both fans and fellow players with their courage, endurance, and love for the game.
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Cilic in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2025
21 – 10win/loss
83
High
3
36 year old
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At the moment ranked no.83, the Croatian has a compiled 21-10 win-loss record in 2025. The Croatian is now having a run in Wimbledon where he conquered the world no.85 Raphael Collignon 6-3 6-4 6-3 and the world no.4 Jack Draper 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-4.
Marin Cilic will square off with the world no.55 Jaume Antoni Munar Clar in the 3rd round. The head to head is 2-0 for Cilic.
The Croatian has won 2 titles in 2025 in the Girona Challenger and the Nottingham 2 Challenger. The Croatian got to the final in the Madrid Challenger.
Cilic won 21 titles in his career: 7 on hard courts, 2 on clay courts, 9 on indoor courts and 3 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
