Xavier Malisse’s doubles comeback is off to a good start—again.
The 42-year-old former Top 20 player from Belgium has suited back up for the second straight year to play doubles at the European Open in Antwerp. He and Diego Schwartzman posted a 7-6 (4), 7-5 win against a highly-experienced Marcelo Melo-Raven Klaasen pairing to reach the quarterfinals.
In 2021, Malisse partnered Lloyd Harris—who he was coaching at the time—and the pair advanced to the semifinals.
Though he retired in 2013, Malisse’s famed tennis skills have stayed intact, partly through legends competition.
“I want to be sharp in Antwerp. I still play the Legends Trophy. It keeps me in touch with the tennis world,” he said before the tournament.
Malisse and Schwartzman next play the Dutch team of Tallon Griekspoor and Botic van de Zandschulp.