BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, September 23, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Defending champion Felix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils and Casper Ruud highlight an impressive entry field for the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open, an ATP 250 indoor hard-court event, that was revealed at Choco-Story Museum in Brussels on Tuesday. The tournament will celebrate its 11th edition at Brussels Expo next month from Oct. 17-25.
In addition to the World No. 5 Auger-Aliassime from Canada , a two-time tournament champion, and Top-20 stars Fils of France and Ruud of Norway, ranked 11th and 17th, respectively, the tournament will celebrate the farewell of David Goffin, the leading figure in Belgian men’s tennis for many years. Currently ranked No. 390, Goffin has been awarded a wild card entry into the main draw.
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Meanwhile, the remainder of the field includes recent US Open quarterfinalist and 27th-ranked Alexander Blockx, who has risen this season to become the Belgian No. 1, as well as fellow Belgians Zizou Bergs (ranked No. 38) and Raphael Collignon (ranked No. 47), who was a semifinalist last year.
Among other direct entrants are: No. 22 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, No. 23 Jiri Lehecka of Czechia, No. 29 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain and No. 34 Alex Michelsen of the United States.
Also, there’s No. 40 Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands, No. 45 Mariano Navone of Argentina, No. 49 Quentin Halys of France, No. 53 Juan Manuel Cerundolo of Argentina, No. 54 Yannik Hanfmann of Germany, No. 55 Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands, No. 56 Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina and No. 58 Adolfo Daniel Vallejo of Paraguay.
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“We are extremely proud of this year’s line-up,” tournament director Dick Norman said during a Tuesday news conference to announce the entry list for this year’s event. “With Felix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils and Casper Ruud, we are bringing some of the world’s best players to Brussels. Our Belgian stars Zizou Bergs, Raphael Collignon and Alexander Blockx are also sure to bring the stadium to life.
“This year’s tournament will be even more special because we will say good buy to David Goffin. He has meant so much to Belgian tennis and deserves an unforgettable tribute in front of his home crowd. Our fans I’ll play a key role in that. Their passion and enthusiasm create an incredible atmosphere every year. Together with them, we want to turn this edition into a true celebration of tennis.”
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While Bergs will be featured on Tuesday, Oct. 20 during Belgian Day, the tournament will move from Palais 12 to Palais 5 within the Brussels Expo for the final weekend, where a new Centre court will offer a better view of the action.
“With the new Centre Court in Palais 5, we will bring fans even closer to the action and offer them an even better overall experience during the final weekend,” Norman said.
A farewell to Goffin
This year’s BNP Paribas Fortis European Open will be an emotional one for Belgian great David Goffin as well as for Belgian tennis fans. Goffin, a former World No. 7 and winner of six ATP singles titles, has been the face of Belgian men’s tennis for many years. He will end his professional tennis career at the Brussels Expo in front of his home fans and in his home country. Goffin will play in both the singles and doubles draws, teaming with fellow Belgian Raphael Collignon.
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Wild cards for Bailly and Schoenhaus
While David Goffin has received a wild card for the main draw, a qualifying draw wild card has been awarded to Belgium’s Gilles-Arnaud Bailly, ranked No. 316. Also, a main draw wild card has been awarded to No. 287 Max Schoenhaus of Germany, giving him a chance to impress against an international field of players and in front of Belgian fans.
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BNP Paribas Fortis European Open direct entry field
“Quotable …”
“It is special to be back in Brussels again. Playing in your home country at this level makes it fantastic. I will also be playing doubles alongside David Goffin, which adds an extra dimension to it all for us. I’m already counting down to the start of the tournament.”
– Raphael Collignon of Belgium, during Tuesday’s tournament news conference on returning to play in his home country.
