In one of the most remarkable stories in tennis history, world number 204 Valentin Vacherot defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to win the Shanghai Masters on Sunday. The 26-year-old qualifier from Monaco became the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion since the series began in 1990, completing a fairytale run that saw him beat top players, including Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune. The victory marked his first-ever ATP Tour title and made him the first player from Monaco to win a tour-level title in the Open Era.
Vacherot's journey to the final was highly improbable. He only gained entry into the qualifying draw after two other players withdrew and had just one main ATP tour match win to his name before the tournament. He fought back from a set down in six of his nine matches in Shanghai. The final against his 54th-ranked French cousin was just the third ATP Masters 1000 final in history to feature two unseeded players and the first tour-level final between family members since 1991.
In the final, watched by Roger Federer, the elder Rinderknech started stronger, securing an early break to take the first set. Vacherot, however, found his rhythm in the second set, breaking late to force a decider. He carried that momentum into the third, breaking immediately and holding firm as Rinderknech began to struggle with a back issue that required a medical timeout. Vacherot sealed the historic victory with a forehand winner down the line after two hours and 11 minutes.
The match concluded with emotional scenes, as the cousins shared a long embrace at the net before Vacherot celebrated with his coach and half-brother, Benjamin Balleret. After the win, Vacherot wrote "Grandpa and Grandma would be proud" on the courtside camera. Both players struggled with tears during their post-match speeches, with Rinderknech at one point tumbling off the stage with cramps while his cousin was speaking.
"It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy," Vacherot said. "There has to be one loser but I think there are two winners today, one family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal." Rinderknech added, "Valentin, you gave everything. I am so happy for you. Two cousins are stronger than one." The win earned Vacherot over $1.1 million in prize money; nearly double his previous career earnings, and will see him move into the ATP top 50 for the first time.
