David Goffin refuses to retire just yet as Belgian survives dramatic comeback in Brussels

Thursday, 22 October 2026 at 02:30

David Goffin has bought himself at least one more match before bringing his professional tennis career to an end. The Belgian came from a set down to defeat lucky loser Remy Bertola 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the European Open in Brussels, surviving a tense deciding set to give his home crowd another chance to see him compete.

The victory was far from straightforward. At 35, Goffin entered the tournament knowing that this would be his final appearance as a professional, having announced in March that he would retire at the end of the 2026 season. With his farewell taking place in front of Belgian fans, an early defeat would have brought an abrupt end to a career that once took him to the top seven of the ATP rankings.

Instead, the former world No. 7 found a way through when defeat appeared imminent. After losing the opening set, Goffin recovered to level the match, only to fall 3-0 behind in the decider. He even faced a point that would have left him two breaks down, putting him dangerously close to seeing his final tournament end in the first round.

But Goffin refused to let the occasion slip away. Backed by the crowd, he fought his way back into the contest before securing the decisive break at 4-4 and serving out the match. The win came after more than two hours on court and marked his first victory in a main-tour event this season.

Goffin keeps his farewell alive after a career to remember

The comeback carries extra significance given the season Goffin has endured. His ranking has fallen to No. 657, and he has struggled to find consistent results on the ATP Tour. However, his career achievements extend well beyond his current position, with six ATP singles titles and a place among the most successful Belgian players of the Open Era.

His best season came in 2017, when he reached a career-high No. 7 and established himself among the leading players in the sport. That year, he reached the final of the ATP Finals in London after defeating Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the same tournament.

He also won the biggest title of his career at the ATP 500 in Tokyo, adding to a collection that included trophies in Kitzbühel, Metz, Shenzhen, Montpellier and Marrakech.

Goffin also played a central role in Belgium's Davis Cup campaigns, helping the country reach the final in both 2015 and 2017. He reached four Grand Slam quarterfinals, including runs at the French Open in 2016, the Australian Open in 2017 and Wimbledon in 2019 and 2022. His ability to compete against the biggest names was a defining feature of his career, with victories over Nadal, Federer, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz among his notable achievements.

Alex Michelsen stands between Goffin and the quarterfinals

Goffin's next challenge will be considerably tougher. He is scheduled to face American Alex Michelsen in the second round, with the world No. 37 arriving after reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open. The Belgian will need another strong performance to extend his final tournament beyond the opening rounds.

For Goffin, however, the immediate objective has already changed. "I'm going to have to cancel the evening I booked! It was both the most beautiful and the toughest entrance onto the court I've ever experienced," the former world No. 7 said after the match, "I was very nervous, and the most important thing was the crowd's support from the first point to the last. Finishing the match with a winner was huge.

Everything was perfect, I couldn't have asked for more. Thank you to everyone, to my friends, my family, my teammates, my wife and my daughter. It means so much to me to have lived this moment."

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The Belgian acknowledged the unusual situation after his win, joking that he would have to cancel the retirement party he had tentatively planned. He will return to the court on Thursday, hoping the support of the home crowd can help him produce another upset.

Goffin's retirement remains planned for the end of the season, but his Brussels farewell is not over yet. After coming within a few games of losing in the first round, the former top-10 player has earned himself another match — and another chance to delay the moment he finally puts his racket away.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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