Rafael Nadal thanks Marin Cilic for his “kind words” after Croatian expresses gratitude for Rafa Nadal Open invitation

Rafael Nadal recently thanked Marin Cilic for his kind words after the Croatian conveyed his gratitude for receiving an invitation to the 2024 Rafa Nadal Open. Cilic, who will be aiming to win his third Challenger title, has previously won the 2007 Casablanca Challenger in Morocco and the 2007 Rijeka Challenger in Croatia.

At the 2024 Rafa Nadal Open, Cilic has been granted a wild card entry into the main draw and he is scheduled to face lucky loser Alberto Barroso Campos in the first round. This match will mark Cilic’s return to the ATP Challenger Tour after his last appearance at the Dallas Tennis Classic in March 2012, where he was the top seed and reached the quarterfinals before falling to Frank Dancevic.

The official social media account of the Rafa Nadal Academy recently shared a video of Cilic talking about his experience at the Spaniard's academy, the Challenger tournament, and the top-notch facilities available there. In the video, Cilic expressed his gratitude to the tournament organizers and Rafael Nadal for inviting him to participate in the ATP Challenger Tour in Spain.

“First of all, I have to send a great thank you to the organizing team of the tournament and to obviously Rafa as well for giving me invitation and wild card to come here otherwise it would be much more difficult to play in the tournament,” Cilic said.

The former US Open champion went on to praise the academy's impressive facilities, including indoor and outdoor courts, hard and clay courts, as well as the hotel, restaurants, and food, stating that everything there exudes a "special vibe".

“The facilities over here are fantastic. One of the best in the world, if not for me the best, with the scenery with just the atmosphere with you know indoor, outdoor courts, hard courts, clay courts, hotel, restaurants, food, everything has a special vibe,” he added.

Cilic also said the staff at the Rafa Nadal Academy have made his stay "special".

“I have to say the people that are in the facility make it really special. I've been here already for five, six days and you know every day has been fantastic, great weather and enjoying every day. You know you get used to feeling good over here so it’s nice to be here.”

Rafael Nadal had also re-shared Cilic's video and thanked the Croatian for his kind words.

"Thanks for these words @marincilic," Nadal captioned his Instagram story.

Screen grab of Rafael Nadal's Instagram story

Marin Cilic has been battling injuries for the past two seasons and has only participated in four tournaments in 2024, including the Rafa Nadal Open. The former World No.3 first competed at the 2024 Hong Kong Open, where he had used his protected ranking to secure a spot in the main draw but was defeated in the first round by the fifth seed Jan-Lennard Struff. At the 2024 Australian Open, Cilic suffered a loss in the first round to Fabian Marozsan.

Ahead of his campaign at the Challenger tournament in Mallorca, Spain, Cilic only competed at the 2024 Argentina Open where he again lost in the first round to seventh seed Laslo Djere.

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Marin Cilic has faced Rafael Nadal nine times on the ATP Tour

Marin Cilic (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) [Source: Getty]

Marin Cilic has faced Rafael Nadal nine times on the ATP Tour. He has won only two matches against the Spaniard.

Their first encounter took place in the semifinals of the 2009 China Open, where Cilic emerged victorious with a score of 6-1, 6-3. He then finished the tournament as the runner-up after losing the title to Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-7(4).

Marin Cilic secured his second win against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Australian Open. He triumphed with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-2, 2-0 ret. after the Spaniard retired because of a right leg injury.