New Delhi: It is not a common sight to see both a coach and the player he is training take to the tennis court and shape a team’s victory.

But that’s exactly what happened on Friday, when reigning US Open champion Marin Cilic and his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, played crucial roles in scripting UAE Royals’ 4-1 win over Singapore Slammers in the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).

Croatian Cilic had a great 2014, as he bagged the first Grand Slam title of his career, defeating Kei Nishikori in the final. The 26-year-old right hander made it clear that he would not have achieved it without the help of Ivanisevic, a Wimbledon champion in 2001.

“When Goran became my coach, the first thing he told was that I was capable of doing better than what I did till then. He always helped me in finding the right way… I had no other problem but I needed the extra push. Goran definitely changed the course of my career,” said Cilic.

Asked about his ward, Goran said he was confident Cilic would do better in the coming season. “He definitely had a good year… played better and better. He played aggressive tennis and did well in the French Open and at Wimbledon. In the US Open, he played some perfect matches,” he added.