Brussels, Saturday 11 October 2025 – The draw for the tenth edition of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open took place on Saturday, and it promises a thrilling week of tennis. One of the major highlights will be a very special Belgian Day on Tuesday 14 October, featuring an all-Belgian clash between Zizou Bergs (ATP-44) and Raphaël Collignon (ATP-90) – a matchup sure to capture the imagination of tennis fans. “It’s going to be an exciting match and a fascinating tournament. It’s hard to predict who will go further”, said Tournament Director Dick Norman. This first-ever Brussels edition already promises to be a spectacular event filled with intensity, emotion, and fighting spirit.
As if the tennis gods had a hand in it. With the innocent hands of Raphaël Collignon (ATP-90) and David Goffin (ATP-83) conducting the draw, the tournament instantly produced a dream matchup. On Tuesday 14 October at 6 p.m., compatriots Zizou Bergs (ATP-44) and Raphaël Collignon will face off in a Belgian showdown that adds even more shine to Belgian Day. “It will definitely be a special match”, said Collignon. “But above all, it’s a great day for Belgian tennis.”
David Goffin (ATP-83), who spent the afternoon hitting a few balls with fans (see photos), will no doubt be an attentive spectator. Right after, he’ll play his opening match against Italian Comesana (ATP-62). A potential all-Belgian second-round matchup could follow, depending on the outcome of Bergs vs. Collignon. Goffin (ATP-83) and Collignon (ATP-90) also confirmed they will team up for the doubles competition.
Brussels Expo will serve as the new setting for this milestone tenth edition, as the tournament looks for a successor to Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP-56). The defending champion faces a tough start, taking on sixth seed Sebastian Baez (ATP-42) in the opening round.
The draw also highlights the international prestige of the event. With world-class players such as Lorenzo Musetti (ATP-9), Félix Auger-Aliassime (ATP-13), and Jiri Lehecka (ATP-19) receiving first-round byes, the main draw is packed with talent.
The spot will also be on Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca (ATP-43), who makes his Brussels debut against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP-84).
Dick Norman, Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open: “This year, we have an exceptionally strong field, with no fewer than four players from the ATP Top 20. And of course, everyone will be watching Belgian Day, featuring the fantastic matchup between Bergs and Collignon, followed by Goffin’s match right after. It’s been a long time since we’ve had three Belgians in the Top 100, so this promises to be a true celebration of Belgian tennis.”
Raphaël Collignon: “The matchup against Zizou is obviously one that captures the imagination, even if I might have preferred to draw someone else (laughs). I hope we’ll face each other many more times in the future, it would mean we’re both performing at a high level. Belgian Day will definitely be a great moment for Belgian tennis. Personally, I hope to build on my recent form and play my best tennis. I’m really looking forward to it.”
David Goffin: “I’m really looking forward to it. Brussels brings back great memories for me, especially from the Davis Cup. All the ingredients are there for a fantastic tournament.
I’m feeling good – the form is there, and the injury that bothered me in Shanghai is no longer an issue. Plus, the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open feels a bit like coming home for me: the same surface, the same organization as before, which makes it extra special. I’m starting the week with confidence and motivation.”
About Tennium
Tennium is a global platform with diverse business activities, specializing in tennis. The company’s mission is to bring together different segments of the tennis world, integrating multiple business models within a single network.
Tennium’s activities include organizing tennis tournaments, managing licenses, player management, corporate events, and consultancy.
Headquartered in Barcelona, with offices in Argentina, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, and Dubai, Tennium was founded by Belgian Kristoff Puelinckx and former French tennis player Sébastien Grosjean.
Tennium organizes some of the largest tennis tournaments in the world, including the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup 2024, the Hamburg Open and Barcelona Open (both ATP 500), and the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open (ATP 250). In addition, Tennium is active on the WTA Tour, with events in Europe and South America, such as the WTA 125 Valencia International Open and the Argentina Open.
For more information, please visit: tennium.com
About BNP Paribas and Tennis
BNP Paribas shares its love of tennis with enthusiasts through a historic commitment that began in 1973 and applies to all levels of tennis worldwide, from tennis clubs to tournaments featuring the greatest players. BNP Paribas is notably the official sponsor of Roland-Garros since 1973, and also sponsors three ATP Masters 1000 tournaments (BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Rolex Monte Carlo Masters, and Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome), as well as the Open 13 Provence in Marseille, the Open de Moselle in Metz, the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm (ATP250), and the Internationaux de Strasbourg (WTA500), along with numerous other wheelchair and secondary professional circuit tournaments.
The diversity of BNP Paribas’ commitments testifies to the group’s passion for tennis, a story that has been constantly strengthened for over 50 years.
BNP Paribas accompanies over 160 young tennis and handi-tennis hopefuls in building their careers, as part of its “Team BNP Paribas Young Talents” program in France (under the patronage of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in association with the FFT), in the United States (with John and Patrick McEnroe), in Belgium (under the patronage of Justine Henin), as well as in Italy, Poland, Canada, Japan, and Portugal.
BNP Paribas is the creator and accelerator of social projects related to tennis, alongside over 20 national tennis federations and dozens of charitable associations.
Beyond supporting players, BNP Paribas created the We Are Tennis platform in 2011 to allow fans to live their passion more intensely. This media, which today brings together over 2 million fans worldwide, enables a genuine connection with this community.
