ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 7, 2025

Zizou Bergs

Mixed Zone

Z. BERGS/G. Diallo

3-6, 7-5, 7-6

Q. What is the most difficult for you, closing the match points, the closing the match, or saving match points?

ZIZOU BERGS: Well, probably the saving ones because it wasn't his serve. It's easier to finish a match while serving than trying to save the match while returning. But in the end it's really difficult. He doesn't give me any free points. All the match points I really had to go and look for it. So, in the end, you have to stay calm, but at the same time aggressive. Luckily, I managed to do that.

Q. It was a very different three sets, but why the start of the match was so tough for you?

ZIZOU BERGS: Because Gabriel played amazing tennis. He took me straight away. He was really aggressive on me. I didn't have really much time, I really had to try to adapt a little to the rhythm. I wasn't ready for that. I tried to manage that.

I think in the beginning of the second I really got there. I found some rhythm, especially also on the serve, because he was serving amazing. Happy I got through it.

Q. Talk about how you've been able to come through in the closing moments in tiebreaks.

ZIZOU BERGS: Yeah, I was just explaining that it's with trial and error. It's trying to stay loyal to yourself. Loyal means to be ballsy. I lose some points with being ballsy, as for example on match point number two, but I really believe in the long run I'm going to win matches by being ballsy. I think today is a nice reward, and I hope to get more rewards.

Q. Your first Masters 1000 quarterfinal, talk about what that means.

ZIZOU BERGS: It means a lot. You probably see it in my reaction. It's quite amazing. I feel like my trajectory is a little different, the speed of my path is different. I'm 26, I'm reaching continuously my career high. I know it's not going to be only ups, and I've had my downs as well this year, but I'm really curious to see where my potential's going to bring me.

Yeah, I think that's just the main thing for me, you know, where is this going to bring me, and really just keep focusing on development. That's so far how I came today, so I really hope to push that in the future.

Q. I spoke to Jan. What's it been like working with him since Roland Garros?

ZIZOU BERGS: I think Jan is super experienced. He's super open minded. He really understands me as a person, but also as an athlete. He knows what we need, how to develop. I think this is the core strength of our team is that really we have this DNA of trying to improve every day those one percents. Yeah, I'm very keen to keep doing that together with this team.

Q. How do you feel about the weather today, especially compared with the last few days?

ZIZOU BERGS: I mean, it's definitely better. Two days ago it was just absolutely brutal. But the other days are not easy either. I feel like you get used to it a little bit. It's still tough today outside, you still sweat a lot. I'm right here standing in a swimming pool.

But, no, I was also explaining, I think as tennis players, it's obviously not easy, but look at the ball boys and ball girls. They're doing an amazing job. I really feel sorry for them. We get an opportunity to drink during changeovers and they don't. I feel really bad for them, but I'm also really happy that nothing is happening to them.