Raphaël Collignon vs Marin Cilic

ATP Wimbledon – 1st Round
Raphaël Collignon vs Marin Cilic

🧠 Form & Context

• Marin Cilic
  🦿 Injury recovery mode: Two Challenger titles this season (Girona & Nottingham) show flashes of his old form.
  🌱 Grass veteran: Three ATP grass titles, 97 wins, and a Wimbledon finalist in 2017.
  🎾 Slam drop-off: No main draw tour-level wins since Dubai; lost tamely to Cobolli at Roland Garros.
  💥 Still a threat: First-strike tennis still dangerous—especially when serve+FH combo is clicking.
• Raphaël Collignon
  🚫 Cold entry: Missed Roland Garros due to injury and hasn’t played since retiring in May (Hamburg).
  🧱 No grass track record: 0–2 career on grass; never played Wimbledon main draw before.
  📈 Rising talent: Made Top 100 this year on Challenger results but still raw at ATP/Slam level.
  🎾 Slam drought: Yet to record a Grand Slam main-draw win (0–2).

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is Cilic’s match to lose. Despite his age and recent struggles at the tour level, his success on grass and proven big-stage mettle make him a heavy favorite against an opponent entering Wimbledon without rhythm, match prep, or grass experience.

Collignon’s lefty power game may one day translate to the surface, but without recent form or top-level grass exposure, he’s stepping into this one cold. Unless Cilic serves poorly and gifts free points—something that has happened before—it’s hard to see a path for the Belgian.

Expect Cilic to control most points early with his serve and forehand. If he keeps his footwork tidy and avoids mental lapses, he should sail through. Collignon may flash some resistance, but sustained pressure over three sets seems unlikely.

🔮 Prediction

Prediction: Cilic in 3 sets. Could be one close set if he starts slow, but the matchup overwhelmingly favors the Croatian on all fronts—experience, surface, and current readiness.

🏷️ Labels: ATP Wimbledon, Marin Cilic, Raphaël Collignon, Wimbledon 2025, Grass Court Tennis, Tennis Predictions, Grand Slam Preview, Comeback Watch