Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Marin Cilic, who lost his US Open title to Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, admitted that had he been facing any other match while suffering with his current ankle injury, he would have never taken the court.

The Croatian who lifted the New York trophy a year ago in a surprise finish, went down hard, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 to Djokovic, the world No. 1.

Cilic later admitted: “I’m not 100 per cent, the foot was causing me some trouble with the movement, Novak was able to expose me much more. Even coming before the match and thinking, if I’m going to play or not, I decide to play, as it’s a grand slam tournament, it’s deep in the tournament. I decided to go on the court and give my best.”

Cilic, who will drop from the ATP top 10 to around 14th, remains proud of his accomplishment in the first grand slam title defense of his career. “I will look back very positively to the tournament. Extremely great tournament.

“Obviously very unlucky that I twisted the ankle, but still with that in a match against Novak, anyway it’s very difficult.

“I went to the match obviously to play. I cannot pull myself out of it with injury. That’s the reality.

“Novak was extremely focused, he played great. But I was fighting pretty well during the full tournament. Considering the first time experience having to defend a grand slam title, I feel that I accomplished well. So I’m very, very positive coming out of the tournament.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.