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The pair will face off in Sunday's Australian
Open final, having snuck off from their families for a couple of
sessions while holidaying in the Indian Ocean nation in
November.
"I was there first, I think, and (Cilic) arrived later on the
island," Federer told reporters on Friday after Chung Hyeon
retired hurt with foot blisters when trailing 6-1 5-2 in their
semi-final.
"I was told that Marin was coming. I was like, 'Oh, that's
cool'."
"When he arrived, I didn't want to bother him. He didn't want to
bother me.
"After two days, he wrote me: 'I'm here, too, in case you want
to catch up and stuff, let me know'.
"I was like, 'Sure, let me know if you want to hit'."
Defending champion Federer thrashed Cilic in the Wimbledon final
and will be favorite to beat him at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday as
he bids for his 20th grand slam title.
Former U.S. Open champion Cilic, the sixth seed, is going for
his second.
Federer said the Croatian was eager to hit to stay in the rhythm
even in the off-season.
"We also met up later for drinks, met his fiancée. We had cake
together, my whole family and him. We had a good time," the
Swiss master added.
"It's not like we're hanging out all the time, but our paths
crossed a few times. We actually went to practice twice for 45
minutes.
"It's great fun. No coaches, no nothing, just the two of us on
the court hitting balls.
"It was just nice and laid back. To get to know the man behind
the tennis player, I guess."
(Editing by William Maclean)
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