Valentin Vacherot beats cousin Arthur Rinderknech to complete Shanghai Masters fairytale - reaction
Vacherot, who started the week as an alternate and World No 204, becomes the lowest-ranked Masters champion in history
Qualifier Valentin Vacherot rallied from behind to defeat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech and complete his fairytale Shanghai Masters run, winning the biggest title of his career in a unique and historic final.
Vacherot started the week as an alternate and ranked 204th in the world but the 26-year-old Monegasque produced a stunning run, knocking out a string of big names including Holger Rune in the quarter-finals and Novak Djokovic in the semis, to become the lowest-ranked Masters finalist in history.
The twist came as Vacherot faced family in the final, with Rinderknech’s win against Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals setting up one of the stories of the season as the two cousins, who were also college team-mates, competed against each other for the biggest prize of their careers.
With Roger Federer watching on, Rinderknech, the 30-year-old Frenchman, was the first to settle and broke Vacherot in the third game of the first set. The second set was dominated by serve until Vacherot raised his level to break Rinderknech for the first time, and then carried his momentum into the decider.
After Vacherot took the opening break, Rinderknech struggled physically while his younger cousin raced over the line. “It’s unreal, a dream,” Vacherot said after embracing his cousin at the net. “There has to be one loser, but I think there's just two winners today, one family that won. For the sport of tennis, this story is just unreal.”
Follow all the reaction from the final of the Shanghai Masters below:
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Cousins, tears and a Cinderella story for the ages at the Shanghai Masters
When Valentin Vacherot arrived at the Shanghai Masters two weeks ago, he was ranked 204th in the world and did not even have a place in the tournament.
On Sunday, the 26-year-old qualifier did not just make history as the first Monegasque player to win an ATP title, as well as the lowest-ranked Masters champion of all time. The winner’s cheque of £824,000 was more than double his previous career earnings of £380,000.
But a life-changing victory for Vacherot came against his cousin, the Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, who he shared tears with as they congratulated each other during an emotional trophy ceremony.
Cousins, tears and a Cinderella story for the ages at the Shanghai Masters
Vacherot's run from qualifying Shanghai title
Valentin Vacherot was two points from defeat when he faced Liam Draxl in the second round of qualifying. By coming through that match, he entered the main draw of an ATP Masters tournament for just the second time, where he went on to beat five seeds and his cousin in the final. He also came from a set down six times.
Q1: vs Basavareddy - 6-7, 6-4 6-2
Q2: vs Drazl - 4-6 7-6 6-4
R1: vs Djere - 6-3 6-4
R2: vs Bublik (14) - 3-6 6-3 6-4
R3: vs Machac (20) - 6-0 3-1 (R)
R4: vs Griekspoor (27) - 4-6 7-6 6-4
QF: vs Rune (10) - 2-6 7-6 6-4
SF: vs Djokovic (4) - 6-3 6-4
F: vs Rinderknech - 4-6 6-3 6-3
Valentin Vacherot admits he was 'losing faith' this year
Valentin Vacherot admitted he was “losing faith” in his tennis career as he turned to his girlfriend Emily Synder and thanked her for her support.
“I think the first matches she watched me play, I was playing ITF 15. I don't even know where, losing first round, and now we're standing here.
“I started losing faith this year. I was telling her, our goal is to finish the year top 100. I started updating it this past few months.
“She kept telling me, no, no, no, no, it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen and yeah, it's more than happening now.”
Vacherot's historic Shanghai run
Valentin Vacherot is the lowest-ranked Masters champion of all time, breaking the record by 52 places. He was not even down to enter the tournament this week but arrived as an alternate and got his spot after nine other players withdrew.
Lowest-ranked Masters champions
Vacherot: No. 204 (Shanghai 2025)
Coric: No. 152 (Cincinnati 2022)
Carretero: No. 143 (Hamburg 1996)
Pernfors: No. 95 (Montreal 1993)
Popyrin: No. 62 (Montreal 2024)
Valentin Vacherot doubles career prize money in two weeks
Before entering Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot had career earnings of £380,000.
By winning nine matches in row and winning his first ATP Tour title at a Masters event, he has just scooped up £824,000.
He will become the new World No 40 on Monday.
Arthur Rinderknech: 'Five months ago I was below the floor'
Some lovely words as Arthur Rinderknech thanks Lucas Pouille, the French player who has been coaching him for the past five months while he has been injured.
“Thank you to Lucas, Lucas at home,” Rinderknech says. “You know, we started and I was in below this, below the floor. Five months ago, I was thinking about stopping tennis at some point because I wasn't seeing the point anymore. You believed in me, you gave me a chance, you trusted in me.
“We started, we moved forward, and, you know, here we are. I don't know, top 30 something for, for the end of the season, and, I hope it's only the beginning. I can't thank you enough.”
Rinderknech cramps up during trophy ceremony
Wow. Dramatic scenes as Rinderknech cries out in pain, appearing to be hit by some delayed cramp, and a chair is brought out for him to sit on.
More tears as Vacherot turns to Rinderknech
It’s Vacherot’s turn to step up to the mic and the 26-year-old looks as composed as he was on court until he turns to his cousin and says a few words to him in French. Vacherot also breaks down as he thanks his coach Benjamin Balleret, “my brother, my everything”.
Rinderknech in tears as he addresses his cousin
Rinderknech breaks down in tears as he attempts to address his cousin Vacherot in French.
Both men are crying. “My cousin...” Rinderknech begins, before he breaks down.
“Valentin, my cousin, my love. Two cousins are stronger than one. You gave everything - I’m so happy for you. I hope we are going to have more battles.”
Vacherot and Rinderknech prepare for unique trophy ceremony
Vacherot and Rinderknech are sitting next to each as they watch a montage of highlights from Shanghai and the trophy ceremony is prepared. You do not see the scenes week to week. It’s special.
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