“It’s a bit paradoxical to find myself here after a fantastic season while having made changes in my staffbegins the adopted Antwerp resident. This is not a common decision, but I am convinced that the DNA of our team is to continually seek progress. Some time ago, during an evaluation, I felt the need for better coaching support during my weeks abroad. Ruben, given his family situation (Editor’s note: already the father of a son born in 2021, his wife gave birth to twins in April)could hardly expand its availability. And I understand it perfectly. We then considered different options after the US Open and the Davis Cup, but none were ideal… until the announcement of the end of the collaboration between Kristof and Tallon Griekspoor.”
Zizou, what can Kristof Vliegen bring you?
“As a player, he was 30th in the world (in 2006)but since then he has above all proven that he can be an excellent coach. He has an eye for detecting a player’s potential and helping him develop it. When he met Tallon in juniors, he was not performing well. And yet, he was able to see his qualities and exploit them to lead him to the top 20 in the world. I think with his experience and knowledge he can do the same with me.”
How are you going to organize the distribution of roles between him and Ruben Bemelmans?
“Kristof will be the leader, the one who will define the main lines of the project. Ruben will remain a valuable support here, in Belgium, to accompany us and give his opinion. He will be there to guarantee that what is already working well remains in place and that the new products bring real added value. It’s not a question of disrupting everything.”
gullTennis is my project, my life, my baby.
Do you think Kristof can help you achieve your long-term goal: entering the top 10 in the world?
“I am convinced that with a clear vision and the right supervision, it is possible. I will do everything to achieve it. Tennis is my life, my baby, my project with which I get up and I goes to bed and to get there, I need the most competent people around me, like in a company. The objective will be to progress step by step: enter the top 50, then aim for the top 30, and so on. immediately Kristof has the necessary experience. to guide us on this path.”
You climbed from 129th to 61st place this season. Where do you think you have evolved?
“I went further in the offensive work, playing more aggressively and emphasizing explosiveness. Roland-Garros where I achieved good results (Editor’s note: he was eliminated in the 3rd round by Grigor Dimitrov) was a turning point. But the biggest breakthrough came after the US Open and the Davis Cup: my general level of play took a step forward, I became stronger. On a physical level too, I perhaps made the biggest step of my career, because I was able to solve my problems with cramps. Today, they can no longer be used as an excuse when I lose a match.”
David Goffin after his victory at the BW Open: “I hope that one day Zizou will reach the world top 100”
What is your objective for next season, that of confirmation?
“It’s funny, but I had a discussion with Nicolas Mahut (Editor’s note: former French player turned consultant) After my victory against Richard Gasquet during the Masters 1000 in Paris. He told me that he had announced live on Eurosport that he saw me soon in the top 20. That had an impact on me, and this goal is now in the back of my mind. I know it will be difficult and I will have to quickly accumulate good results, but I believe I can do it. I have confidence, because we will work well, intelligently, throughout the season.”
gullMaybe one day I will have to make a choice. For now, it’s the Davis Cup.
What will your recovery program be?
“Nothing is confirmed, but we are thinking of starting in Hong Kong. Or maybe we will go straight to Brisbane, Australia. Then there will be the Australian Open and if possible at the BW Louvain-la-Neuve Open (Editor’s note: which takes place in the second week of the first Major of the year). Afterwards, you will have to look carefully and analyze because the ATP program is not always ideal. For example, I probably won’t be able to participate in the ATP 500 in Rotterdam because qualifying starts at the same time as the Davis Cup weekend. Maybe one day I’ll have to make choices but I don’t want to right now.”
Zizou Bergs sponsor of the third edition of the BW Open, where the organizers still hope to attract good people
Speaking of Davis Cup, Raphaël Collignon and Alexander Blockx each won a Challenger circuit tournament last week. The next day, Raphaël said that there was a strong connection between the three of you since the Davis Cup in Bologna. Do you follow their results?
“Absolutely, even though I was on vacation at the time, and I will continue to do so. I have a particular affection for the Davis Cup and my ambition is clear: to win it! I have already told the group We have a young team and several opportunities to prove that we are capable of potentially reaching for it will be available to us in the future.”
To hear you say, we are at the dawn of something promising?
“It’s obvious, and it’s beautiful to see. With David, who is back in the top 50, Raphaël who is progressing and getting closer to the top 120, and Alexander who is arriving, we can dream of soon having four Belgians among the hundred best players in the world It would be incredible for our tennis But to achieve these goals, we need synergy between all stakeholders: the players, the coaches, the supporters, and you, the media. something incredible.”
Davis Cup: in the absence of David Goffin, Zizou Bergs took responsibility
