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Zizou Bergs loves the energy of New York City. The Belgian tennis player, 27, is embracing the packed social calendar ahead of the U.S. Open. On his days off, he says, that means listening to music, spending time with friends, and finding good food and drinks—perhaps with a Broadway show thrown in. “I’m also a guy who doesn’t plan a thing,” he says. “We’re just going to see how the vibe is.” Curating the right vibe is critical for Bergs, who turned pro in 2020 and is set to play in his third U.S. Open main draw this week. While he’s never made it past the third round of a Grand Slam, he says the conditions of the Queens courts favor him. “I like the vibe of playing tennis at the U.S. Open,” he says. “Hopefully you can have an evening match—and then play a tiebreak in the fifth set. The energy is going to be lit.” He’s also coming off a breakthrough summer: In June, after a six-match tour-level losing streak, he won his first ATP title in Eastbourne, becoming the first Belgian man to win an ATP Tour title on grass. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 33 in August. That instinct to embrace the energy of a place extends to Bergs’s approach to style both on and off the court. On court, he is signed by Yonex, so he wears the collections they want to showcase. He has “zero” input into his kits, but, “I’m trying to change that,” he says with a smile. “The better player you are, the more influence you’re going to have. Every year I have a little bit more influence, little by little, so maybe one day I can really have an influence on the collections.” He has a quick answer for his dream U.S. Open kit: “I would combine performance with street wear to bring out a more unique collection on court. I would choose the colors of pink, navy blue, and white. For the night sessions, I would go more to the navy blue [with] pink, and then during the day sessions, more the trio, the colors. Those would feel like New York.” But off court, the Belgian tennis player leans into the style of wherever he finds himself. In New York, that means he dresses “with flashiness” and wears items of clothing like leather jackets, “stuff like that really fits the vibe of the city,” he says. He says his favorite type of style is streetwear-inspired. “I try to go a [wear] cool pieces or a little bit more high-end streetwear,” Bergs explains. He also likes to mix high and low., like pairing a 35 euro t-shirt with a Golden Goose jacket. “I feel like I’m a very accessible guy and I also want to show that in my clothes,” Bergs says. “That’s more the vibe I’m in.” He loves to show up on site at tournaments wearing something a bit different. “I do it for those reactions when they say, ‘What are you wearing?’ or ‘oh, that’s cool.’” He adds, “I don’t feel like I set trends, but I’m the first one who [tries] them.” Earlier this year, ATP debuted “Athlete Arrivals,” described as a “fashion forward” pre-game ritual for players to show off their style ahead of their matches. Bergs is one of the participating players, alongside Taylor Fritz, Jakub Mensik, Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, Francisco Cerundolo, and others. “Fashion is deeply rooted in the culture of tennis and creating moments that allow our players to express their own personal style presents a unique opportunity to position tennis within wider cultural conversations and open it up to new audiences,” Andrew Walker, ATP Senior Vice President of Brand & Marketing, said. “With a global pool of athletes and strong visual identity, we’re well placed to lean into this space, bringing new fans into the sport and strengthening our players’ brands in the process.” The ATP’s new initiative gives players a platform to express that individuality, but Bergs believes the men’s tour still has a long way to go. Tennis players “don’t dare” when it comes to fashion, Bergs says. “They’re shy about it, and I often miss personality in clothing. They have a certain way of [dressing from] growing up, and they stick to it. But for me, it’s obviously a big difference if you are in a city or you are in a village. When I moved to Antwerp, it’s obviously one of the nicest cities coming along with fashion. We have a very typical fashion in Antwerp, so that opens up the eyes—and then you look broader from it.” Bergs is equally enthusiastic about fashion’s growing interest in tennis. “Tennis is one of the most aesthetic sports there is out there,” he says, pointing to the sport’s history. For luxury brands, he adds, tennis is a natural fit—and their involvement creates a “two-way street” that benefits both the sport and the designers. This U.S. Open, Bergs is hoping to make his mark in more ways than one: with his tennis, his clothes, and perhaps a few unexpected fashion choices along the way. Emily Burack (she/her) is the Deputy Digital Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms.