Sticking it to the man: Cilic, Wozniacki ride emotions in NY

16:9. Marin Cilic of Croatia

Save for a rampant Serena Williams, Wozniacki and Cilic would be your two US Open champions.

Wozniacki made her first major final in five years, while Cilic won at his first attempt in one, downing Kei Nishikori on Tuesday morning (AEST).


Caroline Wozniacki has followed the lead of her ex, golf champion Rory McIlroy, by reviving her career. Photo: Getty

In the past 12 months, both were - perhaps unfairly in each circumstance - handed one hell of a motivation package.

The Dane was unceremoniously dumped by top golfer Rory McIlroy in May, days after their wedding invites were sent.

Wozniacki was left to watch on as McIlroy benefitted from the break-up - cashing in two major trophies and rising back to the number one ranking.

Croatia's Cilic was handed a nine-month ban for doping offences, later reduced to four months, for accidentally ingesting banned stimulant Nikethamide.

Wozniacki had previously been quoted as saying she had little interest in winning majors - back when she was world number one - however, there was none of that talk in New York. She was losing a break-up she didn't instigate, and retribution was on the cards.

She didn't win the title, but Wozniacki was the closest thing to it - losing to Williams in the final.


Marin Cilic became Croatia's first major champion since Ivanisevic at Wimbledon in 2001. Photo: Getty

Cilic stood down from playing at Flushing Meadows last year - he was aware of a potential ban, and sat it out to earn a retrospective punishment - and this year, he won the tournament.

His coach, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, spoke about it prior to the final, claiming "justice" had been served as Cilic was banned for "nothing".

It is little coincidence the two players with the most exposed reasons to triumph at the year's final major were the two to shine - not that luck, talent and composure weren't involved, but it seems their motivations were simply superior.

While they compete week in, week out on the tennis tour, sometimes all it takes is a little extra motivation - a man to stick it to - to succeed.

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