Zizou Bergs: 5 Things to Know About the Belgian Tennis Sensation Lighting Up the ATP Tour

Zizou Bergs is stepping onto Court 7 at Roland-Garros this Sunday carrying the hopes of an entire nation. With David Goffin (foot) and Raphaël Collignon (thumb) both sidelined, the 25-year-old from Lommel is the lone Belgian in the 2025 French Open men’s draw, a twist that has amplified the spotlight on his first-round clash against local favorite and No. 31 seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. H2: A breakthrough season sets the stage Bergs arrives in Paris at a career-high No. 49 after a 17-10 start to the year highlighted by a maiden ATP final in Auckland and a clay-court quarter-final in Munich. Those results, fueled by a heavier forehand and improved shot selection under new mentor Ruben Bemelmans, have vaulted him into the conversation as one of the tour’s most improved players. H2: Fresh coaching voice, familiar fighting spirit The Belgian decided to part ways with former coach Kristof Vliegen in March, opting for the insight of compatriot Bemelmans as well as sports-psychologist Gert-Jan De Muynck. The revamped team emphasizes mental resilience—an asset Bergs displayed last spring when he battled through Roland-Garros qualifying and stunned No. 24 seed Alejandro Tabilo before pushing to the third round. H2: The Perricard challenge At 2.03 m, Perricard unleashes one of the tour’s biggest serves, but he has just a single tour-level clay win this season. Bergs, who thrives on tempo-changing returns and all-court movement, will look to expose the Frenchman’s longer baseline rallies. Statistically, Bergs wins 54 % of points in rallies over nine shots on clay—an edge that could neutralize Perricard’s first-strike blueprint. H3: Key tactical keys • Get a look at the second serve: Perricard’s double-fault rate hovers around 8 % on red dirt. Even a modest uptick opens break-point windows. • Mix in the backhand slice: Bergs’ low skidding slice keeps the taller Frenchman bending, sapping power from his forehand. • First-set urgency: Bergs is 12-2 this year when he grabs the opener, a confidence boost that often translates into cleaner service games down the stretch. H2: Belgian tennis at a crossroads With Goffin turning 34 in December and coping with recurring injuries, Bergs represents the next wave for Belgian men’s tennis. National federation officials view his Roland-Garros run as an opportunity to inspire juniors and secure renewed sponsorship. “He’s ready to give his all to make Belgium proud,” his father Koen explained earlier this week. H2: What a deep Paris run would mean A victory on Sunday sets up a possible second-round meeting with the winner of Matteo Arnaldi vs Daniel Altmaier. Reaching the third round again could earn Bergs a Centre Court date with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, a marquee matchup that would guarantee prime-time exposure and a surge in ranking points. A last-16 berth would catapult him inside the world’s top 35 and put Olympic qualification firmly within reach. H2: Final word From his power-packed serve to his animated celebrations, Zizou Bergs has always played tennis with contagious energy. Now, with the tricolor of Belgium draped across his shoulders and a nation’s attention fixed on his every forehand, the stage is bigger than ever. If he can channel the momentum of a career-defining season into a confident opening performance against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Bergs may well transform personal ambition into a historic Belgian storyline at the 2025 French Open.