Try GOLD - Free
Vacherot's family affair rounds off his 'unreal' triumph
The Guardian
|October 13, 2025
Valentin Vacherot closed out one of the most stunning big tournament runs in the history of professional tennis, becoming the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title as he roared back from a set down to defeat his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and triumph at the Shanghai Masters.
There is little precedent for so many of Vacherot's achievements over the past two weeks. At No 204, the 26-year-old had only narrowly entered the qualifying draw, where he was the second-lowest ranked direct entrant, following a number of late injury withdrawals. He is the third qualifier to win a Masters 1000 title in the 35-year history of the format and the first Monégasque player to win any ATP title.
"It's unreal what just happened," Vacherot said. "It's just crazy. I'm just so happy about my performance these past few weeks. I just want to thank everyone who put a brick into my career since the beginning. Sharing this [with Arthur] was tough, 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, this story is unreal."
This story is from the October 13, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Dressed up like a dog winner: dachshunds do festive walkies
The pitter-patter of tiny paws brought joy - and more than a little chaos - to Hyde Park in London as hundreds of dachshunds and their owners gathered for the annual sausage dog Christmas walk yesterday.
1 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
At least 16 dead in terror attack on Jewish festival
Australia's prime minister condemned \"an act of evil antisemitism\" yesterday after gunmen opened fire on a Jewish festival at Sydney's Bondi beach, killing at least 16 people, including a child, and injuring dozens more.
2 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Battle of the baronesses: Rothschilds feud over art ownership
After three generations of genteel discretion bordering on secrecy, the international banking family the Rothschilds have been riven by rival claims to a vast collection of masterpieces that are part of the family's multibillion-euro fortune.
4 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Watchdog lays bare crisis in emergency dental care in England
People needing emergency dental care in England are being denied help from the NHS despite guidance saying it should be available, in some cases resorting to risky self-treatment such as pulling out their own teeth, the patient watchdog has found.
2 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Labour’s Gwynne dismisses reports he could resign in Burnham ‘coup’
The former health minister Andrew Gwynne has dismissed as “idle speculation” reports that he could resign his seat as part of an Andy Burnham “coup” against Keir Starmer.
2 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
New MI6 chief warns of 'age of uncertainty' as Russian threat grows
Assassination plots, cyber-attacks, sabotage and the manipulation of information by Russia and other hostile states mean that “the front line is everywhere”, the new head of MI6 will warn today.
3 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Little Foot fossil 'may be a new species in human lineage'
Little Foot, one of the world’s most complete hominin fossils, may be a new species of human ancestor, according to research raising questions about our evolutionary past.
1 min
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Jews around the world express shock and grief at Bondi attack
Jewish communities around the world have reacted with shock, sadness and solidarity after what Australia’s prime minister described as a “targeted attack on Jewish Australians” at Bondi beach in Sydney.
3 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
Single-sex space rules should be followed, says equalities chair
\"Nobody is expecting a toilet police\" but people should follow the rules when guidance is finally issued on single-sex spaces, the chair of the equalities watchdog has said.
2 mins
December 15, 2025
The Guardian
The Bondi beach terror attack will force Australia to revisit its 'gold standard' gun laws
For almost three decades, Australia’s gun laws have been recognised as among the most stringent - and effective - in the world.
2 mins
December 15, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size