For Zizou Bergs, defeating Carlos Alcaraz was about more than pulling off the biggest win of his career. It was about overcoming a psychological hurdle that had previously prevented him from playing his best tennis against the sport’s biggest names.
Call it an epic victory, but for Bergs it was really about setting a new standard for himself.
The Belgian stunned the seven-time Grand Slam champion 7-5, 7-6(4), and afterward spoke of the relief that came with finally proving to himself that he could do more than simply compete with the game’s elite.
“This is something that’s been very tough for me,” Bergs said in his on-court interview. “I often have too much respect for these guys, which is part of the culture, and I’m proud of that. But it’s a little bit in the way when you have to play them.”
Bergs recalled his meeting with Novak Djokovic at the same tournament last year, when he felt overwhelmed by the occasion.
“I think I had a great moment here last year against Djokovic, where I was definitely playing the name, not the guy,” he said of his 6-3, 7-5 loss to the Serbian icon in the quarterfinals at Shanghai a year ago.
It’s always been the way with Bergs. Breakthroughs don’t come at a rapid clip, but he gains experience, and makes the steps at his own pace. Over time he has gradually changed his perspective, and on Monday, Bergs earned a well-deserved prize.
“To have this moment is really, for me, like a relief,” he said. “Like, okay, I really feel like now I can win against those guys. Not just I can play against them — I can win against them.”
The breakthrough didn’t come without a test of nerves.
Bergs served for the match at 6-5 in the second set but was broken by Alcaraz, forcing a tiebreak. Rather than allowing the disappointment to derail him, he regrouped and produced some of his best tennis when it mattered most.
“It’s never easy to get broken when you can serve for the match, but really to get back in the tiebreak, play those key moments, serve big,” he said. “So yeah, I’m very happy with that one especially.”
Later, in his press conference, Bergs talked about his journey and how he processes life on the tour on his terms. Bergs, who has been working with veteran coach Jan de Witt, readily admits that his development has required patience.
“He knows I’m like a slow riser, I always have to do a little bit step by step,” Bergs said of his coach. “I’m very happy that this is another step in my career today to beat a very big name like Carlos.”
Next comes a round of 16 clash with Tommy Paul to make it back-to-back quarterfinals in Shanghai. Another chance to show that he belongs – and to keep improving.
“Our main thing is always to improve as a player,” he said. “So that’s not going to change.”
0 comments