History for Monaco: Valentin Vacherot Wins Shanghai Masters
In one of the most astonishing runs in recent history, Valentin Vacherot completed a miraculous journey from qualifier to Masters 1000 champion, defeating his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4–6, 6–3, 6–3 in the 2025 Shanghai Masters final.
The 25-year-old from Monaco arrived in Shanghai ranked No. 204, with just a handful of tour-level wins to his name. By week’s end, he had become the lowest-ranked player to capture a Masters 1000 crown rewriting tennis history in one breathtaking week.
Vacherot’s triumph didn’t come easy. He clawed his way through qualifying, then slayed giants: Holger Rune in the quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, and finally Rinderknech in the final.
“It’s surreal,” Vacherot said after the win. “Arthur and I grew up dreaming of these moments. To share it with him makes it even more special.”
With his ranking vaulting more than 160 places into the Top 40, Vacherot now faces a new challenge: proving he belongs among the elite. The tennis world will be watching closely to see whether this was a one-off miracle or the birth of a new contender.
Either way, the name Valentin Vacherot won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
