“In a match filled with emotion and respect, two cousins turned competition into a celebration of family and passion.”
Valentin Vacherot made history at the Shanghai Masters by defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an emotional all-French final. The 26-year-old from Monaco became the first player from his country to ever win an ATP singles title and the lowest-ranked player, at world No. 204, to capture a Masters 1000 crown.
Vacherot’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. Coming through the qualifying rounds, he stunned top players including Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic before lifting the trophy. Rinderknech, who had beaten Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, also played his part in creating one of the most unexpected finals in Masters history.
After the match, Vacherot fell to his knees in disbelief before sharing a long hug with his cousin at the net. “It’s a dream come true. To play against family in a final like this is special,” he said, writing “Grandma and Grandpa would be proud” on the camera lens afterward.
The victory earned Vacherot over $1.1 million in prize money and a massive jump in the rankings, moving him into the Top 40. His win marks a fairytale moment for both his family and Monaco tennis history.