In a truly captivating finale at the Shanghai Masters on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot capped off an incredible journey by winning his first-ever ATP Masters 1000 title. He achieved this remarkable feat by coming from behind, defeating his own cousin, France’s Arthur Rinderknech, in a thrilling three-set match with scores of 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
This momentous victory not only makes the 26-year-old the first player from Monaco to ever win an ATP singles title, but it also marks him as the lowest-ranked athlete to claim an ATP Masters 1000 championship, solidifying his place in tennis history.
Overcome with emotion, a tearful Vacherot shared a poignant, heartfelt embrace with his older cousin, 30-year-old Rinderknech, moments after their intense battle.
Thanks to his exceptional performance, Vacherot will now break into the elite ATP top 100 rankings for the very first time. Meanwhile, Rinderknech, currently ranked 54th, is also expected to climb significantly, entering the top 40 when the new rankings are unveiled on Monday, October 13, 2025.
“I’m just… crying,” Vacherot stammered, still reeling from the victory. “It’s simply unreal what just happened. I have no idea what’s happening right now; I feel like I’m dreaming, it’s just crazy. I’m incredibly happy with my performance over these past two weeks…”
He continued, reflecting on the unique situation, “I believe there are two winners today: our family won, and for the sport of tennis, this story is truly extraordinary. I wish there could be two champions, but unfortunately, there’s only one, and I am genuinely thrilled that it’s me.”
Throughout the tournament, both cousins had provided fans with unforgettable moments. Vacherot created a sensation by defeating the 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, while Rinderknech impressed by overcoming the 2021 U.S. Open winner Daniil Medvedev in their respective earlier rounds.
With legendary Swiss maestro Roger Federer observing from the stands, Rinderknech made an early impact in the opening set. He broke Vacherot’s serve first, taking a 2-1 lead by capitalizing on a series of unforced errors from his younger opponent.
Rinderknech maintained his strong momentum, showcasing impressive athleticism across the court. He quickly built his lead to 3-1, then further extended it to 4-2.
Vacherot, however, launched a spirited fightback, closing the gap to 5-4. Despite the pressure, Rinderknech held his nerve, successfully fending off his cousin’s rally to secure the first set in 41 minutes.
The second set proved to be a tight contest, with momentum constantly shifting. The cousins were locked at 3-3 until Vacherot unleashed a powerful backhand winner, breaking Rinderknech’s serve and pushing ahead 5-3. He then calmly held his own serve to force a decisive third set.
Vacherot truly found his stride in the final set, securing an early break to establish a commanding 2-0 lead. Although Rinderknech managed to reduce the deficit to 3-2, he needed a medical timeout for a back injury. Undeterred, Vacherot pressed his advantage, ultimately sealing his monumental victory with a blistering forehand winner down the line.
Reflecting on their unique bond, Vacherot said, “It’s incredible that it was the guy I trained with at Texas A&M University, the one I grew up with on vacations and everything.”
He added, “It was truly challenging; he played a much better first set than me… But I managed to find a way to turn it around and take control of the match towards the end.”