Zizou Bergs: Who Is the Tennis Player Who Stunned the World by Beating Carlos Alcaraz?
Carlos Alcaraz’s shocking elimination at the Shanghai Masters 1000 inevitably puts the spotlight on Zizou Bergs, the Belgian tennis player who pulled off one of the most significant achievements of his career by defeating the world No. 3 and securing a spot in the round of 16 at the Chinese tournament.
Born in Lommel on June 3, 1999, and named Zizou in honor of Zinedine Zidane—a soccer player whose father was a huge fan—Bergs has long been considered one of the most promising figures in Belgian tennis. After making a name for himself in junior tennis, reaching No. 12 in the world junior rankings, he built his career primarily on the Challenger circuit, winning numerous tournaments and gradually climbing the ATP rankings.
At the senior level, Bergs began achieving notable results in 2024, securing a stable spot in the top 100. The following season brought him another significant leap forward: in 2025 (the year in which, among other things, he played his first and only match against Jannik Sinner at the Paris Masters 1000, losing 6-4, 6-2), he reached his first finals on the major tour and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Masters 1000, firmly establishing himself among the world’s top 50 players.
The definitive turning point came in 2026. After securing important victories against top-tier opponents and contributing to Belgium’s success in team competitions, Bergs won his first career ATP title in Eastbourne, confirming his steady growth both technically and mentally.
The Belgian currently ranks 39th in the world, but his victory over Alcaraz could mark an even more significant turning point. In Shanghai, he demonstrated all the qualities that have allowed him to emerge as a top player in recent years: a solid serve, great intensity in rallies, and, above all, the ability to stay composed in decisive moments.
Facing one of the strongest players on the tour, Bergs refused to be intimidated and capitalized on the Murcian’s struggles, securing what many already consider the most prestigious victory of his career. A result that could be remembered as the starting point of a new phase in his rise in world tennis.
