Goffin bids farewell in Brussels as Bergs and Lehecka advance
David Goffin's career ended with a 6-3, 6-4 second-round loss to Alex Michelsen in Brussels. Goffin cried during a tribute video that included messages from Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet and his family. Zizou Bergs and Jiri Lehecka also won to reach the quarter-finals.
Goffin, 35 and ranked 657th, was a wildcard in Brussels. Michelsen, 22 and ranked 37th, advanced to his fifth quarterfinal this season and next meets top seed Arthur Fils. Goffin had won a tour-level match in 16 consecutive seasons after his first-round comeback.
Bergs’ 6-2, 6-4 win over Dzumhur was his 25th tour-level victory this year; he faces Jan-Lennard Struff next. Lehecka defeated Collignon 6-4, 6-2, while Collignon took an abdominal medical timeout in the second set. Lehecka has reached the Brussels quarterfinals in three straight editions.
Goffin’s farewell could resonate beyond the scoreline, giving Belgian tennis fans a shared moment of reflection and possibly inspiring younger players who saw a local figure compete at the top. The Brussels event may benefit from heightened attention around his final match, while Bergs’ continued run could help sustain domestic interest. For spectators and organizers, the emotional tribute may reinforce the social value of public recognition for long careers.