The Shanghai Masters 1000 offered a unique final: two cousins facing each other, Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech. The Monegasque, coming from the qualifiers, won the title after three intense sets. Beyond the result, emotion and mutual respect marked the ceremony and the words exchanged between the two men.
On Sunday, on the central court of Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot experienced the greatest day of his career. Victorious against Arthur Rinderknech in three sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-3), the 26-year-old Monegasque became the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000. Having come from the qualifiers, he chained nine victories, including one against Novak Djokovic in the semi-final, to claim his first major title.
But the performance goes beyond sports. Because his opponent in the final, Arthur Rinderknech, is also his cousin. Together, they shared much more than a match: a family story, a common journey, and a rare emotion. From the match point, both men understood that this moment would remain special.
Valentin Vacherot: “an entire family won today”
Tears quickly came. Both had trouble speaking, overwhelmed by the day’s intensity and the symbolism of this encounter. “I can’t even believe it,” Valentin Vacherot said, emotional. He added: “it would have been better to have two winners, but an entire family won today.”
Valentin Vacherot made sure to acknowledge his cousin’s role in his journey. “If I’m here today, it’s thanks to Arthur, of course. If in 2017 I didn’t go to Texas because of you, we wouldn’t be here,” he declared, addressing Arthur Rinderknech, in tears. The two cousins indeed shared two years at Texas A&M University in the United States, where they trained together.
The Monegasque continued: “I always dreamed of joining you in the top 100. It took a few years, but now we’re here. I hope we’ll stay as long as possible. We couldn’t have dreamt of a better first final together.”
He also made sure to thank his brother and coach, Benjamin Balleret, who was by his side: “Ben, my brother, my coach, my everything. Thank you for believing in me, for helping me every day. It took time to set up, but this week, it went well. I hope it’s the beginning of something big.”
Arthur Rinderknech: “I always pushed him, I always pulled him”
On his side, Arthur Rinderknech, exhausted, delivered strong words. Suffering from cramps during the ceremony, he still took the time to salute his cousin and the story they experienced. “Physically, I’m at my limit, I can’t deny it. Beating Medvedev yesterday required a lot of effort. I was affected today, but that’s not why I lost. Valentin was extraordinary. I’m extremely proud of him, of what he did, of everything he showed this week.”
His speech, marked by fatigue and emotion, turned into a brotherly declaration. “The little star above our heads shone a little brighter on his side tonight. I’m happy for him, for Benjamin, his parents, my aunt, and the whole family. That’s what stands out.”
Then he reflected on the significance of the moment: “this will never happen again in history. What happened can never be reproduced. It’s magnificent. We can talk about this moment on our bench when we’re two 80-year-old grandpas.”
Childhood memories resurfaced. “I’ve always pulled him, from the youngest age. In skiing, I pulled him. On the bicycle, I pulled him. In tennis, I pulled him. I always pushed him; I brought him to Texas. I always wanted the best for him. He’s a little guy who deserves it. I’ve loved him from the bottom of my heart forever.”
With a trembling voice, he concluded: “I’m extremely proud of him. I told him at the net; it’s fabulous. I have enormous respect for him; I will have even more now. He didn’t teach me anything new; I already knew what he was capable of.”
A surreal and unforgettable final
During the ceremony, emotions mixed with fatigue. Overwhelmed with cramps, Arthur Rinderknech collapsed on the ground before being taken care of by the medical staff. A surprising scene that Valentin Vacherot received with a benevolent smile. “I think he needs help, please,” he launched, then added in English: “at least, it makes me laugh, it relaxes me a bit.”
This image, both surreal and touching, sums up the day: two cousins, exhausted, united by respect and fondness.
With this success, Valentin Vacherot enters the world top 40 and becomes the first Monegasque player to win a Masters 1000. Arthur Rinderknech, as a finalist, reaches 28th place in the ATP rankings, the highest of his career.
But beyond the rankings and the numbers, what the two men experienced goes beyond competition. A family final, filled with tears, smiles, and mutual recognition, that tennis will not forget.
In Shanghai, Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech proved that the most beautiful victory is not always the one written on the scoreboard, but the one shared between two hearts that beat for the same passion.
