Who is Valentin Vacherot? Monegasque keeps rewriting tennis history with Shanghai surprise

For years, the Principality of Monaco has been better known for its luxurious lifestyle, iconic Formula 1 race, and stunning Mediterranean views than for producing top-level tennis players. But that may soon change, as Valentin Vacherot, a 26-year-old right-hander with a powerful serve and unwavering competitiveness, is steadily rewriting Monaco’s tennis history.

A tennis-centered upbringing

Born on Nov. 16, 1998 in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, Vacherot grew up in a tennis family. His cousin is French ATP player Arthur Rinderknech, and his half-brother and current coach is former Monegasque pro Benjamin Balleret.

That close connection to the sport shaped his early path. Though he didn’t have a lengthy junior career—his best ITF junior ranking was No. 440—he made his professional debut at just 15 years old in 2014, and earned his first ranking point the following year.

College tennis roots

Instead of turning pro full-time right away, Vacherot took a different route: U.S. college tennis. From 2016 to 2020, he represented Texas A&M University in College Station, where he also earned a business degree.

During that time, he played alongside his cousin Rinderknech, refining his all-court game and gaining valuable competitive experience in one of the strongest collegiate programs in the United States.

Climbing the rankings

Vacherot returned to the professional circuit in 2021 with renewed focus. That season, he reached five finals on the ITF World Tennis Tour and captured his first two titles in Monastir, Tunisia and New Delhi, India, ending the year ranked world No. 631. He also represented Monaco for the first time in the Davis Cup. He holds a 14-3 match record in the competition in 11 ties played.

In 2022, he broke into the Top 500 for the first time, and two years later, he soared into the Top 200. In June 2024, after a remarkable 15-0 run on the ATP Challenger Tour, he achieved a career-high ranking of No. 110.

A four-time ATP Challenger champion, most recently in Pune, India last year, Vacherot has demonstrated that his game translates well across surfaces and levels. At 6-foot-4, he combines explosive serving with a solid baseline game and growing confidence under pressure.

Making history on the main stage

But the breakthrough that truly put him on the tennis map came last week at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. He arrived in China as the ninth alternate, eventually made the cut, entered the qualifying, and ended up being the champion of an ATP Masters 1000 event.

🖥️📲 The Match in 15 Minutes: Vacherot vs. Rinderknech, Shanghai

Vacherot was the last man standing in Shanghai, capping off a dream fortnight by becoming the eighth first-time ATP Tour champion of the 2025 season, and only the fifth player in history to win his maiden title at a Masters tournament.

In a gripping final, the Monegasque defeated his cousin Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 after two hours and 14 minutes of high-intensity tennis.

“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 after Sunday’s final. “I am just so happy with my performances the past two weeks.

"I just want to thank everyone who has helped with my career since the beginning. There has to be one loser, but I think there is two winners today, one family that won. And I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal."

From No. 204 to Top 40 in one week

It was the perfect ending to an extraordinary run. Vacherot became the lowest-ranked champion in ATP Masters 1000 history, surviving six three-set battles across nine matches from qualifying to the final. Time and again, he clawed his way back from behind, showcasing remarkable grit and composure.

What began as an unlikely run turned into a career-defining triumph—and with it, a massive leap in ranking, confidence and belief. The fairytale in Shanghai has made Vacherot not just richer in terms of prize money, but far more seasoned and ready for the next chapter of his journey.

It is unreal what just happened. I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy. Valentin Vacherot

From No. 204 to No. 40 in just seven days: This stunning rise is a perfect example of how quickly fortunes can change in tennis.

His meteoric jump up the ATP rankings also highlights the power and impact of the ATP Challenger Tour, where players can build confidence, sharpen their game, and set the stage for big results on the main circuit.

TemVacherot’s journey is a true inspiration and a reminder to many aspiring players that with belief and persistence, rapid progress is possible.