Former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic marked his maiden appearance at the Stuttgart Open with the title on Sunday. The veteran Croatian tennis star, who reached the tournament final without dropping a single set, got past Canadian opponent Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to lift the title.

What made his first Tour title in more than two years all the more special was that he had his wife and child watching him from the stands.

Marin Cilic reveals his son nearly kept him awake all night before the final

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Cilic grinned from ear to ear as he was asked about his experience of traveling with his wife and son for a tournament.

The 32-year-old Croat said his son had behaved since arriving at the German city and hadn’t cried till on the eve of the final.

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Revealing that he slept in the same room as his little one on the eve of the championship clash, Cilic said, “The only time that he was crying was tonight. I guess he was excited for the final and my wife took him on a walk and he was partying for two hours – from midnight to 2 am.”

He added that it wasn’t until the dead of night that his wife and their bundle of joy finally let him sleep before the big final.

Dedicating the title to his son, the Croat said, “This is his title. First time at a tournament and wins the title. So he’s gonna get the car (a Mercedes for the champion).”

The beaming father was later seen posing happily to the lensmen with his son, even letting him hold the award.

Cilic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime to lift his first Tour title in over 2 years

Cilic came through a meat grinder of an opening set as Aliassime went hard at him and the two players couldn’t be separated at the end of the regulation 12 games.

However, the Croat had the better of him in the tie-breaker, winning it 7-2. 

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The former World No.3 came into his own in the second set, getting a decisive break of serve and holding on to his lead to win comfortably in the end.

The Stuttgart win will come as a huge confidence booster for Cilic ahead of the Wimbledon Championships.

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He arrived in Stuttgart after a second-round loss to Roger Federer at Roland-Garros.