MY ACCOUNT
Zizou Bergs earned a wildcard for Wimbledon and a grand slam main draw debut by beating Jack Sock in the Ilkley Trophy final on Sunday.
Named after Zinedine Zidane – the France, Juventus and Real Madrid football great who goes by the nickname ‘Zizou’ – Belgian Bergs has established his sporting career in tennis.
Bergs, 23, is ranked a lowly 207th by the ATP and had to come through qualifying to play in the Ilkley event, a Challenger Tour tournament in Yorkshire.
Former world number eight Sock stood in his way in the final, but Bergs secured a 7-6 (9-7) 2-6 7-6 (8-6) victory over the American.
His father Koen Bergs wrote on Twitter: “Yesssssss. The tournament director announced during the ceremony the official reward of the WC for @Wimbledon main draw. History is made.”
His triumphant son added on Instagram: “WIMBLEDON MAIN DRAW WILDCARD!! Whuuuutttt”
Bergs completes the list of men’s singles wildcards, featuring alongside five British players plus Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven and Swiss three-time grand slam winner Stan Wawrinka.
Wimbledon begins on June 27 at the All England Club in south-west London.
