At the end of several intense battles, the Belgian No. 2 had a nice finale against Gaël Monfils. The performance of the Frenchman, who at 38 became the oldest player to win an ATP tournament, surprised our compatriot. “It wasn’t easy, because there was a lot of wind. I had prepared well and we had analyzed his game well on video, but he was very intelligent. He played well with the wind, varied his game, and it took me too long to adapt in the second set, it didn’t matter much but it was already too late.
Zizou Bergs more ambitious than ever: “The top 20 in 2025 and the Davis Cup with Belgium in the future”
In the land of the Kiwis, Zizou Bergs will have played seven matches in eight days, including two in qualifying. However, he says he still has energy ahead of the Australian Open. “My body digests the effort well. I am not tired and I do not feel any pain. This means that our work in winter preparation has paid off. I am now curious to see how I will react in potentially five-set matches In any case, my body and my head are fine. I will do everything to be ready.”
gullArriving late at a tournament means that you played well the previous week.
His trainer, Kristof Vliegen, wanted to warn him. “He has 36 hours to relax, but once he gets to Melbourne I want his head turned towards the Australian Opensaid the former thirtieth-ranked man in the world. I told him that he would surely have a backlash after this final, that’s normal. But it is a luxury problem that we have before us. If you arrive late at a Grand Slam tournament, it means that you played well the previous week. It’s up to him to rest well and recharge his batteries. It is certain that we will not spend our time at the club, wasting an hour here and there. We will try to hit the ball as early as possible in the morning, and at eleven o’clock or noon it will be time to return to the hotel to rest.”
Zizou Bergs and his coach hoped to leave Auckland this Saturday, just after the final. But they will have to wait until Sunday. “Unfortunately it was not possible to take a direct flight to Melbourneexplains the adopted Antwerp resident. On Monday, I will train with Joran Vliegen who is left-handed, like Facundo Diaz Acosta, my opponent from Tuesday. The timing will be tight and it will not be easy. A bit like when I arrived in Auckland from Hong Kong, there will be no real preparation. But it’s good to arrive with matches in your legs. It boosts morale and confidence.”
At 25, Zizou Bergs is aware that he will now be expected around the corner, after his first final. “I notice that my opponents view me differently, they know that I represent a certain danger. Seeing that people are talking about you is a positive sign, and it gives me confidence.”
Zizou Bergs integrates former player Kristof Vliegen into his staff
