"The moonwalk was actually pretty good": Isner and Querrey recalls Bergs–Opelka controversy

The latest episode of the Nothing Major podcast revisited one of the most talked-about moments from the Paris Masters: the viral exchange between Zizou Bergs and Reilly Opelka on social media. Hosts John Isner, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock shared their reactions to the incident, offering insights into both the on-court drama and the social media buzz that followed.

During the episode, the former ATP stars also reflected on the highlights of the Paris Masters, which concluded with Jannik Sinner defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final (6-4, 7-6).

However, other moments captured the spotlight, including the controversy between Opelka and Bergs. On social media, the clip of Bergs celebrating his first-round win over Alex Michelsen went viral, with Opelka provocatively commenting: “I’d rather lose 6-2 in the third than win 6-2 in the third and moonwalk.”

“We like a little controversy, controversy, as the Brits say, on this pod,” Isner said. “The Reilly Opelka–Zizou Bergs. So Riley commented on Tennis TV. We all know Tennis TV on Instagram. Just unsolicited, right?” Querrey set the scene: “Zizou Bergs was playing Michelsen. Zizou wins, and as Michelsen is smashing his racket, the camera angle catches Zizou doing the moonwalk in the back.” Johnson immediately reacted: “It’s so good,” capturing the perfect mix of humor and tension that made the clip go viral.

The discussion then turned to Opelka’s Instagram comment: “I’d rather lose 6-2 in the third than win 6-2 in the third and moonwalk.” Bergs responded with a playful jab: “I’d rather play than not play in qualifying.” Querrey explained the context behind the interaction, noting that Opelka had been in Paris qualifying, played a match, and then withdrew. “He withdrew, but then he got in as a lucky loser. But still got a lucky loser,” Querrey said, referencing Opelka’s unusual path to the main draw.

The podcast hosts agreed that Bergs’ moonwalk and quick-witted reply highlighted both his humor and competitive spirit. Johnson summarized: “I love Riley, but this is a Zizou Bergs win.” Isner added with a chuckle: “I mean, the moonwalk is actually pretty good, too,” highlighting how the move added flair and personality to Bergs’ victory. Sock described it as “the combo of both. It’s so good,” while Johnson praised the camerawork that perfectly captured the contrasting emotions of Michelsen and Bergs.

Opelka’s path to the main draw added extra layers to Bergs’ playful dig. The American had originally withdrawn from the second round of Paris qualifying, giving Aleksandar Vukic a pass. However, due to withdrawals from Jakub Mensik and Benjamin Bonzi, Opelka re-entered the main draw as a lucky loser. Being the highest-ranked player eliminated in the second round of qualifying (No. 62), his spot was guaranteed despite the earlier withdrawal.

This unusual scenario gave fans and players more reason to notice Bergs’ moonwalk and Instagram response. As Querrey noted on the podcast, the combination of Opelka’s odd qualifying situation and Bergs’ playful celebration created a perfect storyline, mixing competitive tennis with off-court personality and social media flair. It’s an example of how professional tennis moments can capture attention beyond just the scoreline.

Beyond the viral moment, the hosts discussed the Paris Masters venue itself. Isner commented on the crowd energy, saying, “It was right on cue, right? Right as he’s smashing the racket. And the crowd was going nuts. I mean, he had a good Belgian contingent behind him there.” The packed venue added to the drama, with around 50,000 extra fans compared to previous years.

Querrey added that the venue looked seamless, despite changes: “You wouldn’t have known they changed venues.” Isner agreed, praising the center court and overall atmosphere.