ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 3, 2024

Zizou Bergs

Mixed Zone

Z. BERGS/Zhang Zhizhen

6-4, 6-3

Q. Congratulations. Great win for you. It's your first win at ATP Masters 1000 level, can you just talk about what it means.

ZIZOU BERGS: Yeah, I was, I had a few matches already, luckily, on this level, and I got close a few times, but besides playing a 1000, I think it's a little bit irrelevant, it's more how you perform every match you're playing this year on the level. You know, if you play 500 or a 1000, I feel like the level is the same, 250s as well, everything is close, so it's a matter of doing the right things day-in, day-out.

This one was very nice, you know, because you can play on center court in a beautiful arena. Also, Shanghai, the city, how they organize the tournament is amazing. So that part, it's a special night. Also, playing the Chinese star, you can really tell, many people coming out, so it's very nice.

Q. Speaking of the crowd, you did write on the camera lens, Sorry Shanghai. Just talk through what it was like playing in front of that crowd, was it easy or hard?

ZIZOU BERGS: No, they're very respectful. Obviously they supporting Zhizhen, which is completely normal, and it's very fun, even for the opponent to play at. That part, I know he's from Shanghai, I know everybody wants him to win, so that part it was a little sorry to the crowd and to the tournament (laughing).

Q. Is this your first trip to Shanghai?

ZIZOU BERGS: Yeah, it's the first time in Shanghai. I was last week in Beijing, last year I played only Chengdu, but really amazing to be here in Shanghai, because it's definitely the superlative of all the ones I've done. Yeah, as I say, how they organize the tournament, the transport, I mean, all of it is just incredible.

Q. Good day for Belgian tennis today, David Goffin also had a win. Does that spur you on a little bit?

ZIZOU BERGS: Yeah, I mean, David is another story. He was 10 in the world, so I'm happy that he's finding his level, maybe not the level he wants to, but he's getting somewhere near. I'm glad just that we can push Belgian tennis a little bit, put it a little bit more in the spotlight, because I think the sport definitely deserves it, and we get a little too little attention in Belgium.

Q. Away from tennis one of the things you enjoy is music. I understand you play both piano and guitar.

ZIZOU BERGS: Yeah, that was awhile ago, to be honest, that was during COVID period and before, so, unfortunately, I'm not doing that any more (laughing).

Q. Your next opponent will be Gregor Dimitrov, any thoughts on that one?

ZIZOU BERGS: Exciting match. I think my advantage is that I got to play him already at the French Open. I played a great match. I realized that I can perform with the top players in the world, that I can beat them. So, just by, even though I lost, I gained a little confidence, so I'll be more ready to play against him the day after tomorrow. Hopefully, I can bring my best level, great level, and compete to get the win.

Q. Are you a player who looks ahead in the draw, or do you come straight off court and then look ahead?

ZIZOU BERGS: No, I became quite cool with it, I just look a little bit in front of the tournament to get how the draw is, getting a little inspired, like, Oh, maybe I play this one, maybe that one. I just know better how to focus really on the first match and the second match, so now it's full eyes on Grigor.