BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, October 20, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Tennis and music came together in harmony at the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open on Centre Court of the Brussels Expo Monday. Belgium’s Big Three – Zizou Bergs, Raphael Collignon and Alexander Blockx – took part in a special Media Day organized in partnership with Tomorrowland and Tomorrowland Academy, an electronic music school that trains aspiring DJs and music producers of all ages and skill levels.
Guided by Belgian DJ Henri PFR, the Big Three players took on creative tennis challenges before each tried their hand at DJing, combining spectacular shots on court with their first attempts behind the DJ decks.
Throughout, the activity brought together sport, music and entertainment – and it offered fans attending a different glimpse into each player’s personality while keeping tennis at the heart of the experience.
Here’s a sample of what each of Belgium’s Big Three said about themselves and in tribute to fellow Belgian David Goffin, who is retiring following this week’s event, during Monday’s Media Day:
• Zizou Bergs: “Beating Carlos Alcaraz in Shanghai meant a lot to me. Knowing that I can beat players of that level gives me a lot of confidence. So, I’m coming into this tournament feeling confident and looking forward to playing in front of my home crowd. I’m also really looking forward to watching David Goffin’s matches. he’s meant so much to our generation. I’ll always remember his elegance on court. Watching him play so often has even helped me develop a much smoother backhand.”
• Raphael Collignon: “I’m coming to Brussels in good form and with plenty of ambition. I had to take some time off recently because of knee problems, but those are now behind me. The break also did me good mentally. I have great memories of last year and I’m looking forward to playing in front of my home crowd again. I’m also keen to see how David Goffin performs. He’s always been a huge inspiration to me personally and to Belgian tennis as a whole.”
• Alexander Blockx: “After reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open, I felt my body needed some time to recover. That break did me good, because I was also able to play at a very high level during the tournaments in Asia. I was playing just as well as I had in America, but the key moments kept going against me. Still, I was very happy with my level of tennis and I’m coming into this tournament with plenty of ambition. David Goffin has also meant a great deal to me. He reached World No. 7, and that’s an achievement we definitely shouldn’t underestimate.”
View this post on Instagram
Collignon and Goffin win doubles opener
Raphael Collignon and David Goffin made a winning start to their doubles campaign Monday evening on Centre Court, defeating No. 3 seeds Marc Polmans of Australia and Jan Zielinski of Poland, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the quarterfinal round.
“It’s great to start this way,” Goffin said. “I’m happy Raphael asked me to play doubles with him. I’m really motivated to do well, and it feels good to begin this special week with a win.”
View this post on Instagram
Tuesday is Belgian Day at European Open
In celebration of today being Belgian Day at the BNP Paribas Fortis European OpenIn, two of Belgium’s leading players, Zizou Bergs and Raphael Collignon will be in action in the singles draw.
The 41st-ranked Bergs, making his ninth appearance in the tournament’s 11-year history, will face Great Britain’s Toby Samuel, ranked No. 96, not before 6 p.m. on Centre Court. Meanwhile, Collignon, ranked 55th, will face 134th-ranked American qualifier Nishesh Basavareddy, following the Bergs-Samuel match.
View this post on Instagram
