Antwerp, September 15, 2022 – This year’s European Open will once again feature a strong Belgian side: David Goffin, Zizou Bergs, Sander Gillé, Joran Vliegen, and Gilles-Arnaud Bailly confirmed!
David Goffin (31) played the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in July of this year. Goffin, who reached the quarterfinals of a grand slam tournament for the fourth time in his career, had plenty of chances against Cam Norrie, but in the end, the Briton won after a thrilling five-setter. “David is keen to show himself again to the Belgian public, for him it is always a bit of coming home to Antwerp”, said tournament director Dick Norman. Those wishing to see Goffin at work on Tuesday night, October 18, can purchase tickets at https://europeanopen.be/tickets.
Zizou Bergs will also be there again. “Zizou assures spectacular tennis at the European Open. In 2019, Zizou was the revelation of the tournament with his victory against Ramos-Vinolas (ATP-40) and forced Karen Khachanov (ATP-18) into a thrilling three-setter,” said Dick Norman. “Today we know him as one of our country’s greatest talents. He is still only 23 and made his debut at Wimbledon this year.”
Belgian top talent Gilles-Arnaud Bailly of Limburg, second in the world junior rankings, crowned himself European U18 champion in Klosters, Switzerland, in late July. “Bailly played the final at Roland Garros and the final at the US Open at the U18 this year! This is the Belgian coming man”, Dick Norman stressed. “He has an excellent mentality and is working very hard towards tennis excellence.
Xavier Malisse will again play the doubles. “Doubles with Lloyd Harris went very well last year, it was fun to do”, said Xavier Malisse, who reached the semifinals at last year’s European Open. “I didn’t expect to get this far. I had counted on one round, but suddenly we eliminated the first seeded. There was also a fantastic atmosphere. I want to prepare well for this year as well. I want to be sharp in Antwerp. I still play the Legends Trophy. It keeps me in touch with the tennis world. You see old colleagues again: at Roland Garros, Wimbledon,…: I play there without pressure”, X-Man said.
Our best Belgian tandem Sander Gillé/Joran Vliegen is also present again. “They have already made a few appearances this year”, said Dick Norman. “They have already beaten the best doubles teams in the world over the past year. In France’s Paris-Bercy, for example, they eliminated Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, who were ranked first in the world at the time. At Roland Garros, they managed to beat Mahut/Herbert (ATP doubles-3).
David Goffin (ATP-62), Zizou Bergs (ATP-134), Sander Gillé (ATP doubles-78) and Joran Vliegen (ATP doubles-90) are also currently playing the group stage of the Davis Cup Finals.
