Marin Cilic is a man accustomed to making the occasional tennis headline.  He has enjoyed some impressive victories in his career, such as his thrilling five-set victory over Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Australian Open, or his fourth-round upset of Andy Murray at the 2009 US Open, where he blitzed the Scot in straight sets.  This past summer, Cilic once again found himself in the headlines. But this time it was for all of the wrong reasons. 

As many may remember, it was revealed that the former world No. 9 had failed a drug test administered in Munich in May when his results tested positive for the banned substance nikethamide.  Based on his failed drug test, Cilic was slapped with a nine-month doping ban, even as the Croat insisted he had only taken the banned substance by accident.  In fact, he has maintained from the start that he mistakenly ingested the drug through an over-the-counter glucose tablet purchased at a local pharmacy. 

In spite of the fact that many in the sport believed Cilic’s explanation, it appeared that his carelessness still would prove costly.  Though he had received a ban of only nine months (considerably less than the two-year ban the International Tennis Federation would seek), that was still enough to effectively end his 2013 season.  Even more crucially, the ban required him to forfeit any prize money and ranking points gained in tournaments played after Munich.

This was the bleakest moment in Cilic’s career to-date, but his fortunes changed in the last few weeks.  Prior to the start of the Masters 1000 event in Paris, the Court of Arbitration for Sport fast-tracked Cilic’s case and ruled that the initial punishment meted out to the Croat did not fit the crime.  They deemed the nine-month ban and all that went with it “too severe.”  The ban was reduced to four months, and all prize money and ranking points that were previously forfeited were instead retained and reinstated.  The reprieve also meant that the door was open if Cilic wanted to compete in Paris.

Suffice it to say, Cilic wasted no time in taking advantage of the second chance that he had been given.  While some players in his position might have decided to get a head start working on their off season training and forgo Paris, the last tournament of the year for all but the top eight, Cilic opted to get back out on the court.  He unquestionably made the right decision, even if his return fell far short of a fairytale run in the French capital.

It is always daunting to make a return to tennis after any type of an extended absence, but arguably even more so when that absence comes as a result of a doping ban.  If Cilic was worried about how he would be received upon his return, it would not have taken him long to learn that all was forgiven.  Both fans and a number of his fellow competitors were glad to see him back in action, but none was happier than the man himself.   After securing a win over Igor Sijsling in his first match back, the Croat remarked that he “felt like a kid playing for the first time.”  It is that type of sentiment that probably has him feeling good going into next year despite being defeated in two tight sets by his old rival Juan Martin Del Potro in the second round.

In many ways, Cilic has been given a new lease on his career.  Based on his comments in Paris, he is fully aware of just how fortunate he is.  He has been able to eradicate any “return-to-competition” butterflies prior to next season, and, with the reinstatement of his ranking points, he will find himself in a better position to go deep in tournament play when 2014 gets under way.

Aside from those tangible perks, however, there is another potentially important benefit that Cilic may yet glean from all that has happened these last few months.  It is something that is both immeasurable and unknown, for only he can determine how much he gains from this recent turn of events.  And, based on his reputation to this point, there is a decent chance that Cilic could turn this whole debacle into a positive turning point in his career. 

Marin Cilic is known for being a very obedient player, so he undoubtedly puts in the hard yards when the coach and trainer demand it of him.  But, given what has transpired this past summer, Cilic may feel even more driven.  As evidenced by his statements this week, it is apparent that he has a renewed love and vigor for the game and the opportunities that it has afforded him.

Time will tell whether or not 2013 marks a turning point in the talented 25-year-old Croat’s career.  He has been given that second chance that everyone deserves, but what he does with that second chance is what ultimately matters.  We are only a few scant months away from learning how he will respond to this adversity, so be sure to keep an eye on Marin Cilic when the 2014 season commences.