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David Goffin was in tears as he extended his career with a heroic comeback win in Brussels. The former world No. 7 is retiring on home soil at this week’s European Open, but he’s not done yet. Goffin came back from a set down, and then a break down in the decider to beat Swiss lucky loser Remy Bertola 3-6 6-3 6-4, winning six of the last seven games. Afterwards, Goffin burst into tears and raced to embrace his wife and daughter in the stands. Having delayed his retirement by at least one more day, the 35-year-old also joked that he had to cancel his party plans and postpone those too.
Goffin will now face world No. 37 Alex Michelsen in the second round on Thursday. He’s also still alive in the doubles alongside countryman Raphael Collignon, who was in his box for his two-hour clash with Bertola.
After getting potentially the last win of his career on home soil, an emotional Goffin said: “I don't know what to say, it was one of the toughest moments and nicest moments when I came on the court. The first few games were really tough for me with the nerves. Then I started to serve well, and then it helped me.
“But the most important is the support that the crowd gave me in the whole match from the start until the end. To finish the match like this, on a winner, with you guys screaming, it is just the best feeling we can have. I'm really happy that tomorrow, we do it again.
“I just have to cancel the party tonight! Just incase I booked something. But, pretty much every day, then I can lose every day, so I’m okay with that.”
“It was just the perfect moment for me. I couldn’t have expected more support from the start of the week. It started with the doubles with Raphael, who stayed for my match. But he’s playing first match tomorrow, so he has to go to bed now! He’s still young.
“One again, thank you guys. Thanks for my friends, coming to support, my family, my teammates, my staff, my daughter, who is there with my wife. So thanks a lot. It meant a lot.
“Tomorrow, same place. Not same time, a little bit earlier! But same support, hopefully, and same, I will give everything for you guys.”
During his career, Goffin lifted six titles and earned wins over Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. He stunned Federer and Nadal in the same week to finish runner-up at the ATP Finals in 2017.
And the Belgian is pulling off one last hurrah in Brussels. Now ranked down at No. 657 in the world, his comeback victory over Bertola was his first tour-level win in more than a year. Goffin previously upset then-world No. 6 Ben Shelton at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, but had not won a main draw match on the ATP Tour since.
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