"It’s unbelievable to win an ATP tournament after everything I've been through," said Croatian tennis player Marin Čilić after winning his 21st ATP title in Hangzhou, China.

In the final match, Čilić defeated the local player Zhizhen Zhang, ranked 43rd in the world, with a score of 7-6(5), 7-6(5). The last time Čilić won a tournament was in 2021. He played in Hangzhou on a wildcard invitation from the organizers and was ranked just 777th on the ATP list before the tournament. His new ranking is expected to improve dramatically, reaching 212th in the world. Čilić also became a record holder, as the lowest-ranked player ever to win an ATP-level tournament.

"First of all, I’d like to thank my family and everyone who has been by my side lately. After a tough period and two surgeries, winning this tournament feels incredible. I’m proud of this title, but also of all the people who supported me and pushed me forward. They were my strength," said Čilić, who will celebrate his 36th birthday this weekend.

"Both sets in the final were completely even. I wasn’t better than Zhang in anything; literally, small details decided the outcome. I probably just had a bit more luck. We both served excellently, and I’m very grateful to the organizers who gave me the wildcard and allowed me to achieve this, for me, truly great victory," concluded Čilić, who won his only Grand Slam title, the US Open, ten years ago.

Back then, in the final match in New York, he defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori. Interestingly, Čilić is now expected to play in the ATP tournament in Tokyo, where Nishikori is likely to be his first opponent.