The 27-year-old featured in the latest instalment of the ATP Tour’s Locker Room Code series, which explores his experiences, growing confidence and efforts to establish himself among the sport’s elite.
Bergs made headlines on Monday, 12 October, when he defeated Alcaraz 7–5, 7–6(4) in the third round in Shanghai, ending the Spaniard’s seven-match winning streak.
Bergs discusses earning respect among tennis stars
Bergs acknowledged that he has sometimes shown too much respect towards the sport’s biggest names, a mindset he believes can make competing against them more difficult.
“I often have too much respect for these guys, which is part of my culture and I'm proud of that. But it gets a little bit in the way when you have to play them,” Bergs said, according to Reuters.
He explained that regular practice sessions and competitive matches against top players have helped him become more comfortable in their presence.
“The more experience you have practising against them and playing matches, the more it becomes the new standard a little bit,” he added.
Bergs described his Shanghai breakthrough as a relief, saying the result had strengthened his belief that he could beat the biggest names in the game.
Career-defining victory against Alcaraz
Ranked No. 39 in the PIF ATP Rankings at the time of the match, Bergs delivered a composed all-court performance against the second-seeded Alcaraz.
The Belgian made effective use of Shanghai’s fast court conditions, broke the Spaniard’s serve three times and held his nerve in the second-set tie-break to seal the straight-sets victory.
It was a significant turnaround from their previous meeting at the 2025 Japan Open, where Alcaraz had defeated Bergs in the last 16.
The result was also consequential for the ATP season-end rankings, as Alcaraz’s elimination confirmed Alexander Zverev as the 2026 year-end world No. 1.
A growing belief on the ATP Tour
Bergs’ comments highlight the confidence that can develop through repeated exposure to elite competition. Rather than viewing established stars as unreachable, he is increasingly treating matches against them as opportunities to test his own level.
His victory over Alcaraz provided tangible evidence of that progress, while his reflections on locker-room respect offered a glimpse into the mental side of competing at the highest level.
With the Shanghai Masters continuing, Bergs will look to build on the breakthrough and demonstrate that his win over the Spaniard can become a foundation for further progress on the ATP Tour.