Marin Cilic withdraws from US Open as 2014 champion misses another New York campaign

Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 20:30

Marin Cilic has withdrawn from the 2026 US Open due to injury, ending hopes of seeing the former champion return to Flushing Meadows for what would have been his 16th appearance at the tournament.

The 37-year-old Croatian was scheduled to face No. 23 seed Andrey Rublev in one of the more intriguing first-round matches on the opening day. Instead, Rublev will now meet lucky loser Otto Virtanen, who has been handed an unexpected second chance in New York.

Cilic's withdrawal is another setback for the former world No. 3, who has struggled to build momentum during the North American hard-court swing. He won just one match in Montreal before losing early, and will now miss the US Open for the third time in the last four years.

The Croatian's absence also removes one of the tournament's most notable former champions from the field. Cilic produced the biggest run of his career in New York in 2014, defeating Kei Nishikori in the final to claim his only Grand Slam title and become a US Open champion.

Cilic out, Virtanen gets another chance

The reason for Cilic's withdrawal has not yet been communicated. His latest absence means another chapter in his complicated recent relationship with the US Open, where he has been unable to return consistently despite his historic title run in 2014.

Virtanen's route into the main draw is particularly unusual. The Finn entered qualifying as the No. 9 seed and defeated Ugo Blanchet and Jack Pinnington Jones to reach the final round, only to withdraw before facing Grigor Dimitrov because of a back injury.

Marin Cilic has withdrawn from Men's Singles due to injury and is replaced by Lucky Loser Otto Virtanen.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2026

That decision initially appeared to have ended Virtanen's US Open hopes, but Dimitrov received a walkover into the main draw as a result. Now, after Cilic's withdrawal, Virtanen has been given another opportunity as a lucky loser and will face Rublev instead.

It means the No. 23 seed's expected meeting with Cilic has disappeared just hours before the start of the tournament, with Rublev now facing a completely different opponent and Virtanen suddenly back in the competition.

The change comes after Casper Ruud also withdrew from the US Open because of a back injury. The Norwegian was due to face Juan Manuel Cerundolo before pulling out, with Arthur Gea taking his place as a lucky loser. With Cilic and Ruud both now absent, two experienced names have disappeared from the men's singles draw before their opening matches, while two lucky losers have unexpectedly gained places in the field.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

“I had more space in my head”: Iga Swiatek explains what changed after difficult 2026 season

US Open director prepares for “Eala-Mania” as Filipino star’s debut sends demand soaring