"I prefer to play rather than not compete in the qualifiers," Bergs responds to Opelka on Instagram

Adrien Guyot

le 29/10/2025 à 08h45

1 min to read

Bergs Opelka Paris

Zizou Bergs and Reilly Opelka had an exchange on social media after the American responded to the Belgian's celebration following his victory against Alex Michelsen.

Bergs will be on Center Court this Wednesday afternoon. In the third match, the Belgian will face world number 2 Jannik Sinner, now the tournament's heavy favorite, especially after Carlos Alcaraz's loss to Cameron Norrie on Tuesday evening. To earn the right to face one of the tour's big names, Bergs eliminated Alex Michelsen (6-3, 2-6, 6-2).

At match point, the contrast between the two players was striking: Michelsen smashed his racket while Bergs celebrated by performing the famous "moonwalk," Michael Jackson's signature dance. A moment that did not please Reilly Opelka.

Also competing in the tournament this week, the world number 52 had withdrawn before his second-round qualifying match against Aleksandar Vukic, before being reinstated as a lucky loser. Opelka then lost to Corentin Moutet (3-6, 7-5, 6-1) on Tuesday.

On Instagram, Opelka reacted to Bergs's dance: "I'd rather lose 6-2 in the third set than win 6-2 in the third and do the moonwalk" in the comments under Tennis TV's post. The Belgian's response came a few hours later: "I prefer to play rather than not compete in the qualifiers" accompanied by a kiss emoji.