Valentin Vacherot after Monaco’s qualification in Davis Cup: “incredible for one of the smallest countries in the world”

After his victory against Finland (3-1), Monaco will compete in the Davis Cup World Group for the first time in 2027. Valentin Vacherot won two singles matches in this decisive encounter.

Monaco has reached a new milestone in the Davis Cup. The Monégasque team prevailed 3-1 against Finland in the playoff for promotion to the World Group and will thus compete in the first round of the competition in 2027.

A first since the Principality’s inaugural participation in 1929. A qualification that Valentin Vacherot measures up to the level of the team’s journey in recent years: “To be in the best world group, it’s frankly incredible for one of the world’s smallest countries.” The world No. 21 won two singles matches and provided the decisive point against Otto Virtanen (25 years old, 108th in the world).

A collective built over the years

Monaco’s qualification, however, does not rest solely on the performances of Valentin Vacherot. Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo also played a decisive role in the doubles match on Saturday.

The two specialists dominated Harri Heliovaara, world No. 1 in the discipline, paired with Niklas Salminen (3-6, 6-4, 6-3). A feat that had allowed Monaco to take a 2-1 lead before the final singles match.

A few hours later, Valentin Vacherot concluded the match. After nearly three hours of battle, the Monégasque prevailed over Otto Virtanen (7-6, 4-6, 6-4). A second singles victory after the one obtained Friday against Eero Vasa, ranked 446th, (6-3, 7-6).

This momentum is part of a progression that began several years earlier. In 2021, Monaco was still competing in Group 3 of the Davis Cup. Five years later, the team has established itself in the first division of the competition.

Guillaume Couillard, captain of the Monégasque team, remembers in particular a very different period. Seven years earlier, Monaco had to play a decisive doubles match against North Macedonia to avoid relegation to the Fourth Division. “ It came down to a decisive doubles to avoid going down“, recounts the captain of the team now in the World Group.

Since then, the squad has evolved with the arrival of new players and experience gained on the circuit. Valentin Vacherot emphasizes in particular the bonds that unite the team members: “ This adventure has been incredible, we’re a boy band team, the team is growing.“ The world No. 21 also highlights the presence of Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo on the main tour and the many tournaments played together: “ We were almost all present during the American tour this summer. We’re a family.“ Note that Lucas Catarina, who was making his return to competition, did not have to play the final match. Benjamin Balleret completed the Principality’s selection.

After eliminating Kazakhstan a few months earlier, Monaco has thus reached a new level against Finland. The Monégasque team will return to the Davis Cup World Group in 2027, with a first participation at this level of competition.