Belgian tennis player (born 1999)
Zizou Bergs (born 3 June 1999) is a Belgian professional tennis player. He has a career high ATP singles ranking of No. 61 achieved on 4 November 2024 and a best doubles ranking of No. 265 achieved on 27 November 2023.[ 1] He is currently the No. 2 Belgian singles player.[ 2]
Early life
Bergs was born in Lommel , his parents named him Zizou after French football player Zinedine Zidane , whose nickname is Zizou.[ 3]
Professional career
2020: ATP debut and first win
Bergs made his ATP main draw debut as a wildcard at the 2020 European Open . In the first round, he recorded his first ATP victory by defeating Albert Ramos Viñolas in straight sets,[ 4] [ 5] before pushing world No. 17 Karen Khachanov to three sets in the second round.[ 6]
2021: Three ATP Challenger titles, top 200 debut
In March 2021, Bergs won his first Challenger title at the Saint Petersburg Challenger . Later that month, he won his second Challenger title at the Lille Challenger .[ 7] In June, he won his third Challenger title at the Almaty Challenger .[ 8]
After defeating fellow qualifier Oscar Otte in the first round of the Swiss Open Gstaad ,[ 9] he reached the top 200 at World No. 196 on 26 July 2021.[ 10] In October, he again received a wildcard into the European Open , but lost in the first round to Lloyd Harris .[ 11] [ 12]
2022: Fourth Challenger title, Grand Slam & top 150 debut
Bergs reached his first final of the season at the Saint-Brieuc Challenger , losing to Jack Draper .[ 13] In May, he reached his second Challenger final of the season at the Saturn Oil Open in Troisdorf , Germany, where he lost to Lukáš Klein .[ 14]
Ranked No. 207, he won the Ilkley Trophy as a qualifier, defeating lucky loser Alexei Popyrin in the semifinals[ 15] [ 16] [ 17] [ 18] and Jack Sock in the final.[ 19] As a result, he received a wildcard into Wimbledon , where he made his Grand Slam debut.[ 20] He also climbed more than 60 positions up the rankings to a new career-high of world No. 146 on 20 June 2022.[ 1]
2023: United Cup, Australian Open and Masters debuts, top 125
Bergs at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships
At the inaugural 2023 United Cup , Bergs lost his two singles matches against Bulgarian Dimitar Kuzmanov and Greek Stefanos Sakellaridis .[ 21] He then qualifed for the main draw at the Australian Open , defeating another Bulgarian, Adrian Andreev ,[ 22] but lost in the first round to Laslo Djere .[ 23]
He received a wildcard for the Miami Open ,[ 24] but lost in the first round to lucky loser Thanasi Kokkinakis .[ 25] He entered the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships as a lucky loser directly into the second round, but lost to Cristian Garín .[ 26] As the defending champion, he entered the Ilkley Trophy Challenger , but lost to Denis Kudla in the second round.
Bergs missed several months playing on the ATP Tour, due to a torn ligament in his left wrist, but returned in September at the Chengdu Open as a wildcard.[ 27] In November, at the Calgary Challenger , he reached the quarterfinals[ 28] and won his sixth Challenger title in Drummondville , and in December, his seventh in Yokkaichi .[ 29] [ 30]
2024: French Open debut, two ATP quarterfinals, top 65
Bergs at the 2024 Libéma Open
In April, Bergs won his first match of the season on the ATP Tour in Houston , defeating qualifier Patrick Kypson in the first round,[ 31] before losing to top seed and eventual champion Ben Shelton in the second round.[ 32] Bergs then reached back-to-back finals on the ATP Challenger Tour , in Sarasota where he lost to Thanasi Kokkinakis [ 33] and in Tallahassee where he defended his title and defeated Mitchell Krueger to win his eighth Challenger title.[ 34]
He received a wildcard for the main draw at the Madrid Open , where he made his debut[ 35] but lost in the first round to Luca Van Assche .[ 36]
In May, Bergs qualified for the main draw of the Italian Open , where he lost to Rafael Nadal in the first round.[ 37] [ 38] [ 39]
Ranked No. 102, Bergs made his French Open debut after qualifying for the main draw.[ 40] He upset 24th seed Alejandro Tabilo for his first win at a Major[ 41] and defeated Maximilian Marterer to reach the third round of a Major for the first time where he lost to 10th seed Grigor Dimitrov .[ 42] As a result, he reached the top 85 in the rankings on 10 June 2024.[ 43]
In the beginning of the grass court season he entered the main draw of the Libéma Open as a lucky loser and defeated local wildcard Tim van Rijthoven ,[ 44] before losing to top seed Alex de Minaur in the second round.[ 45] He also entered the main draw at the Wimbledon after qualifying but lost to Arthur Cazaux in five sets with a super tiebreaker in the fifth.[ 46] As a result he reached the top 75 in the singles rankings in 15 July 2024.[ 1]
At the US Open , Bergs also played a first round match with a super tiebreaker in the fifth, but won it this time defeating Pavel Kotov .[ 47] He lost his next match against 31st seed Flavio Cobolli .[ 48]
In October, Bergs reached the quarterfinals at the European Open in Antwerp with wins over Facundo Díaz Acosta [ 49] and fourth seed Sebastián Báez ,[ 50] before his run was ended by eighth seed Marcos Giron .[ 51] The following month, ranked No. 61, Bergs also made it through to the quarterfinals at the Moselle Open , defeating lucky loser Manuel Guinard [ 52] and Hugo Gaston .[ 53] Bergs lost in the last eight to Cameron Norrie .[ 54]
Key
W
F
SF
QF
#R
RR
Q#
DNQ
A
NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.
Singles
Current through the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters .
ATP Challenger Tour finals
Singles: 12 (8 titles, 4 runner-ups)
Legend
ATP Challenger Tour (8–4)
Finals by surface
Hard (4–2)
Clay (3–2)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result
W–L
Date
Tournament
Tier
Surface
Opponent
Score
Win
1–0
Mar 2021
St. Petersburg , Russia
Challenger
Hard (i)
Altuğ Çelikbilek
6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Win
2–0
Mar 2021
Lille , France
Challenger
Hard (i)
Grégoire Barrère
4–6, 6–1, 7–6(7–5)
Win
3–0
Jun 2021
Almaty , Kazakhstan
Challenger
Clay
Timofey Skatov
4–6, 6–3, 6–2
Loss
3–1
Mar 2022
Saint-Brieuc , France
Challenger
Hard (i)
Jack Draper
2–6, 7–5, 4–6
Loss
3–2
May 2022
Troisdorf , Germany
Challenger
Clay
Lukáš Klein
2–6, 4–6
Win
4–2
Jun 2022
Ilkley , United Kingdom
Challenger
Grass
Jack Sock
7–6(9–7) , 2–6, 7–6(8–6)
Loss
4–3
Aug 2022
Manacor , Spain
Challenger
Hard
Luca Nardi
6–7(2–7) , 6–3, 5–7
Win
5–3
Apr 2023
Tallahassee , USA
Challenger
Clay (green)
Wu Tung-lin
7–5, 6–2
Win
6–3
Nov 2023
Drummondville , Canada
Challenger
Hard (i)
James Duckworth
6–4, 7–5
Win
7–3
Nov 2023
Yokkaichi , Japan
Challenger
Hard
Michael Mmoh
6–2, 7–6(7–2)
Loss
7–4
Apr 2024
Sarasota , USA
Challenger
Clay (green)
Thanasi Kokkinakis
3–6, 6–1, 0–6
Win
8–4
Apr 2024
Tallahassee, USA (2)
Challenger
Clay (green)
Mitchell Krueger
6–4, 7–6(11–9)
ITF Futures/World Tennis Tour finals
Singles: 8 (4 titles, 4 runner-ups)
Legend
ITF Futures/WTT (4–4)
Finals by surface
Hard (3–2)
Clay (1–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result
W–L
Date
Tournament
Tier
Surface
Opponent
Score
Win
1–0
Jan 2018
Turkey F2, Antalya
Futures
Hard
Dimitar Kuzmanov
6–3, 6–4
Win
2–0
May 2018
Poland F1, Wisła
Futures
Clay
Michael Vrbenský
3–6, 6–1, 6–2
Loss
2–1
Jul 2018
Belgium F2, Arlon
Futures
Clay
Juan Pablo Varillas
6–7(6–8) , 6–4, 1–6
Loss
2–2
Jul 2018
Belgium F5, Duinbergen
Futures
Clay
Jeroen Vanneste
6–7(2–7) , 3–6
Win
3–2
Mar 2019
M15 Doha, Qatar
WTT
Hard
Adrian Obert
6–4, 6–1
Loss
3–3
Jan 2020
M15 Monastir, Tunisia
WTT
Hard
Nuno Borges
4–6, 6–7(6–8)
Loss
3–4
Feb 2020
M15 Heraklion, Greece
WTT
Hard
Clement Geens
6–3, 4–6, 1–6
Win
4–4
Nov 2020
M15 Bratislava, Slovakia
WTT
Hard (i)
Bogdan Bobrov
6–4, 6–2
Doubles: 8 (4 titles, 4 runner-ups)
Legend
ITF Futures/WTT (4–4)
Finals by surface
Hard (3–2)
Clay (1–2)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result
W–L
Date
Tournament
Tier
Surface
Partner
Opponents
Score
Loss
0–1
Mar 2018
Qatar F1, Doha
Futures
Hard
Scott Griekspoor
Jonas Merckx Fred Simonsson
7–6(7–3) , 3–6, [4–10]
Win
1–1
Mar 2018
Qatar F2, Doha
Futures
Hard
Fred Simonsson
Matěj Vocel Marek Gengel
6–4, 3–6, [10–6]
Loss
1–2
Jul 2018
Italy F12, Reggio Emilia
Futures
Clay
Maxime Tabatruong
Tuna Altuna Alexandar Lazov
4–6, 2–6
Win
2–2
Mar 2019
M15 Doha, Qatar
WTT
Hard
Geoffrey Blancaneaux
Arnaud Bovy Jesper de Jong
6–2, 6–4
Win
3–2
Aug 2019
M15 Koksijde, Belgium
WTT
Clay
Dan Added
Romain Barbosa Arnaud Bovy
6–4, 3–6, [10–3]
Loss
3–3
Oct 2019
M15 Benicarló, Spain
WTT
Clay
Tiago Cação
Benjamín Winter López Pablo Llamas Ruiz
3–6, 4–6
Win
4–3
Nov 2019
M15 Monastir, Tunisia
WTT
Clay
Francesco Vilardo
Aziz Dougaz Benjamin Lock
6–3, 6–4
Loss
4–4
Dec 2019
M15 Doha, Qatar
WTT
Hard
Zura Tkemaladze
Simon Freund Jonathan Mridha
1–6, 0–6
References
^ a b c "Zizou Bergs | Rankings History" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "PIF ATP Rankings (Singles)" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Belgian named after Zidane off to Wimby" . The Canberra Times . 19 June 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2024 .
^ "World No. 528 Bergs Stuns Ramos-Vinolas In Antwerp: 'Those Are Things I Live For' " . ATP Tour . 20 October 2020. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Five Things To Know About Zizou Bergs" . ATP Tour . 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Khachanov Avoids Bergs Upset In Antwerp" . ATP Tour . 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Kust, Damian (29 March 2021). "Challenger Tour Weekly Recap: Next-Gen is Coming as Stricker and Bergs Claim Titles" . Last Word On Tennis . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Meiseles, Josh (14 June 2021). "Zizou's Statement: Bergs Blasts To Third Challenger Title Of 2021" . ATP Tour . Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Smith, Jim (20 July 2021). "ATP Gstaad Day 3 Predictions Including Arthur Rinderknech vs Roberto Bautista Agut" . Last Word On Tennis . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Zizou Bergs | Rankings History" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Tournoi d'Anvers: Zizou Bergs éliminé par Lloyd Harris au premier tour" . RTBF (in French). 19 October 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Geen nieuwe stunt voor Zizou Bergs op European Open, opslagkanon Harris te sterk" . Sporza (in Dutch). 20 October 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
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^ Kust, Damian (30 May 2022). "Challenger Tour Weekly Recap: Lukas Klein Gets his Maiden Title" . Last Word On Tennis . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Sock Soars into Semi-Finals at Ilkley Trophy" . 17 June 2022.
^ "Zizou Bergs haalt vanuit de kwalificaties de finale in Ilkley" . 18 June 2022.
^ Devilez, Alice (18 June 2022). "Après avoir battu Seppi, Zizou Bergs bat Popyrin et se hisse en finale du Challenger d'Ilkley" . RTBF (in French). Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Vandecauter, Joachim (18 June 2022). "Zizou Bergs haalt vanuit de kwalificaties de finale in Ilkley" . Tenniskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Thompson, Grant (17 June 2023). "Challenger Flashback: When Zizou Bergs Defeated His Coach En Route To Ilkley Title" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Kust, Damian (19 June 2022). "Challenger Tour Weekly Recap: Bergs Wins the Wimbledon Wildcard, Coric Back in Form" . Last Word On Tennis . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ West, Andy (3 January 2023). "Greece Hero Sakellaridis On A Debut Win, Advice From Tsitsipas & Racquet Repairs" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Shang Juncheng: 17-Year-Old Charges Into Australian Open Main Draw" . ATP Tour . 12 January 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ Ubha, Ravi (8 July 2023). "Laslo Djere deserves your appreciation" . Tennis.com . Retrieved 30 May 2024 .
^ "Shang Juncheng, Dominic Thiem Among Miami Wild Cards" . ATP Tour . 14 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Kokkinakis serves up first-round win at Miami Open" . Tennis Australia . 24 March 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "US Clay Court Championships 2023: Garin upends Bergs" . Tennis Majors . 8 April 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Marcos Giron Beats Alexander Bublik In Chengdu" . ATP Tour . 21 September 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ Thompson, Grant (8 November 2023). "Why Zizou Bergs Hit Only Slice Backhands For Three Months" . ATP Tour . Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ Borkowski, Pete (20 November 2023). "Bergs Claims Final Canadian Trophy of 2023 in Drummondville" . Tennis Canada . Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Challenger de Yokkaichi: Zizou Bergs remporte la finale et décroche un 7e titre en Challenger" . DHnet (in French). 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Houston Open: Bergs reaches second round, plays top seed Shelton next" . Tennis Majors . 1 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Ben Shelton advances to quarterfinals with win over Zizou Bergs in U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship" . Tennis.com . 4 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Kokkinakis wins Sarasota Challenger, secures Roland Garros entry" . 15 April 2024.
^ "Francisco Comesana cracks Top 100 after Challenger title; Mpetshi Perricard goes back-to-back" . ATP Tour . 22 April 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "ATP Madrid : une invitation pour le tableau final décernée à Zizou Bergs" (in French). 21 April 2024.
^ "Madrid Masters: Van Assche beats Bergs to book spot in second round" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Five Things To Know About Zizou Bergs" . ATPtour.com . 8 May 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024 .
^ Eccleshare, Charlie (9 May 2024). "Rafael Nadal solves another clue to his tennis riddle in Rome" . The New York Times . Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ Kane, David (9 May 2024). "Rafael Nadal scores winning Rome return, survives Zizou Bergs in first round" . Tennis.com . Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Jesper De Jong, Zizou Bergs qualify for Roland Garros" . ATP Tour . 24 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024 .
^ "Nishikori wins 5-set thriller, Gasquet earns emotional victory at Roland Garros" . 26 May 2024.
^ "Roland-Garros: Dimitrov sees off tricky Bergs to make fourth round" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Zizou Bergs, Zinedine Zidane & a Roland Garros breakthrough" . ATP Tour.com . 31 May 2024.
^ " 's-Hertogenbosch Open: Bergs through to second round" . 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024 .
^ "Top seed De Minaur starts strong in 's-Hertogenbosch, next faces Raonic" . ATPTour. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Arthur Cazaux defeatz Zizou Bergs, advances to second round" . 1 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024 .
^ "David Goffin and Zizou Bergs advance to second round US Open" . Belgian News Agency. 28 August 2024.
^ "US Open: Cobolli battles back to reach third round, meets Medvedev next" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "European Open: Bergs eases past Diaz Acosta to reach second round" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "European Open: Bergs advances to quarter-finals" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "European Open: Giron continues excellent run into semi-finals" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Metz Open: Bergs advances to second round" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Metz Open: Bergs advances to quarter-finals" . Tennis Majors. Retrieved 6 November 2024 .
^ "Cameron Norrie through to Moselle Open semi-finals with victory over Zizou Bergs in Metz" . Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 November 2024 .
External links