Coming from the qualifiers, Valentin Vacherot defeated Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters 1000. At 26, the Monegasque player is experiencing one of the most remarkable journeys of his young career and is about to enter the world top 100. A look back at the journey of a discreet player now in the spotlight.
In Shanghai, no one expected him. Valentin Vacherot, the world’s 204th player, had already achieved a small feat by coming through the qualifiers. Two wins had opened the doors of the main draw of a Masters 1000 without invitation to him for the first time. What followed exceeded all expectations.
Round after round, the Monegasque eliminated players ranked higher than him: Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac (retirement), Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune, and then Novak Djokovic. All of them players who had been at least in the top 30 in the world during their career. An impressive series for a player who, just a few months ago, was mainly playing on the Challenger circuit. This Saturday, October 11, in two sets (6-3, 6-4), he ended the run of the former world No.1, multiple Grand Slam winner.
This success propels him to the final of the Chinese tournament and ensures his entry into the world’s top 100. For Valentin Vacherot, this is a turning point. This result opens the doors to the main draws of the major tour and could change the course of his career.
A story of family and perseverance
Tennis runs in the veins of the Vacherot-Balleret family. Valentin comes from a lineage of players and trainers. His half-brother, Benjamin Balleret, a former professional and 209th at the ATP, is now his coach. Their mother, Nadine, teaches tennis at the Monte-Carlo Country Club and held technical roles in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region for a long time.
Their family also includes another known figure of the circuit: Arthur Rinderknech, cousin of Valentin and a world top 100 player. Both studied in the United States at Texas A&M University, where they shared their formative years. It is there that Valentin consolidated his game and mindset. By chance, in the final, the two cousins will face each other on the court for their first Masters 1000 title.
This family environment shaped his relationship with the sport. Neither pressure nor overconfidence, but a stable environment where work comes first. His entourage helped him bounce back after a right shoulder injury that kept him off the courts in the second half of 2024. This ordeal forged his mental strength, visible in Shanghai in his three-set matches won through battle.
The “new” face of Monegasque tennis
Until now, Monaco was not a nation known for its results in men’s tennis. A few names have marked the history of the Rock, like Jean-René Lisnard or Benjamin Balleret, but no player had ever reached a final on the main tour. With this journey, Valentin Vacherot writes his name in the annals of Monegasque sports.
His commitment to the country’s Davis Cup team illustrates this loyalty to his colors. He is its pillar and should attempt, next February, to qualify Monaco for Group 1, against Kazakhstan. A difficult mission, but his recent success against Alexander Bublik, the Kazakh No.1, gives the whole team hope.
The association with Romain Arneodo, a doubles specialist, strengthens the group’s cohesion. Together, they aim to elevate Monaco to a level never before reached in the competition.
A future to build
The performance in Shanghai changes the trajectory of Valentin Vacherot. By entering the world’s top 100, he will be able to participate in the Grand Slam qualifiers, an essential step to establish himself permanently on the circuit.
Born in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, the 26-year-old right-hander will undoubtedly return to Monaco with a new status and his Monte-Carlo tournament. Last April, he had already made an impression by winning a match in the main draw, a first for a Rocher player in more than a decade.
His game relies on a solid foundation: an effective serve, good court coverage, and calm handling of tense moments. In Shanghai, he managed to stay clear-headed in long rallies, even against more experienced opponents.
This victory against Novak Djokovic, a reference in the world of tennis, gives him a new dimension. But for Valentin Vacherot, the road is still long. The top 100 is only a step. His progress, patient and measured, suggests a career built on consistency rather than the brilliance of a single exploit.
In China, Valentin Vacherot showed that a player coming out of nowhere could shake up the hierarchy of world tennis. His journey is inspiring in its simplicity and tenacity. Quietly, the Monegasque is establishing himself as one of the new faces of a sport where endurance matters as much as talent. In Shanghai, he didn’t just beat Novak Djokovic: he opened a new chapter for Monaco’s tennis.
