brussels
Fonseca, Burgess, Lehka shine in Brussels!
The trio celebrates the 10th Fortis European Open in Paris with delicious food
October 14, 2025
David Pintens/Belgian Magazine/AFP via Getty Images
Joao Fonseca decorates a cake at the Fortis European Open media day in Brussels, France.
Written by ATP Staff
Life on the ATP Tour may require a strict healthy diet, but three stars found themselves surrounded by sweet treats at the Fortis European Open in Paris, France on Monday.
#NextGenATP Brazilian Joao Fonseca, local favorite Zizou Bergs and top 20 Czech Jiri Lehecka were given a special assignment at Brussels Media Day: decorate a cake to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the indoor hard-court ATP 250.
Perhaps Burgess’ experience growing up in a country known for its cakes, chocolates and other desserts played a decisive role in the Belgian being crowned champion by tournament director Dick Norman. It was an early off-court “victory” in Brussels for the PIF ATP Ranking No. 39, who will aim to back up his results on the court when he takes on compatriot Raphael Collignon in Tuesday night’s first-round match.
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Fonseca, Berges and Lehka with Cake Contest judge Dick Norman, Brussels event director. Image source: Belga Mag.
Meanwhile, world No. 45 Fonseca will play his first ATP 250 match indoors in Tuesday’s final at the 2024 Next Generation ATP Finals hosted by PIF Champions. The 19-year-old defeated Flavio Coboli on the indoor hard courts of the Laver Cup in his most recent tour-level match and will aim to continue that form when he makes his Fortis European Open debut in Paris, France against Botic van der Zandschulp.
“This was my first visit to Belgium and I was really impressed by the city, the atmosphere and the incredible views,” Fonseca told europeanopen.be. “I’m happy to be playing here. It still feels fresh after a long season.”
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The three players also visited one of Brussels’ most famous landmarks, the Atomium.
