To mark the end of another exciting season, ATPTour.com unveils our annual ‘Best Of’ series, which will reflect on the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and more. This week we look at the best rivalries of the year.
Not even Hollywood could script what transpired between Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech this season.
They may be opponents on the field, but Vacherot and Rinderknech are, more importantly, cousins. Their respective fairytale runs to a one-off showdown in the Rolex Shanghai Masters final represented one of tennis’ most unlikely recent storylines, as they also faced off again 17 days later at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Paris.
ATPTour.com recaps the unlikely saga.
Shanghai Final, Vacherot d. Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
It’s safe to say that no one saw this finale coming, including Vacherot and Rinderknech themselves. But against all odds, the cousins, who both played at Texas A&M University in 2018, found themselves on the other side of the net for an ATP Masters 1000 title battle in Shanghai. Vacherot was two points away from defeat in qualifying at the Chinese event, but still managed to reach the main draw and went on to beat five seeded players, including record four-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Rinderknech also defeated five seeds en route to the final. After the Frenchman secured his semi-final victory against 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev, Vacherot came onto the pitch to greet Vacherot. They shared an emotional hug – laughing, smiling and even crying as they looked ahead to the championship game.
It was Vacherot, then world number 204, who capped his dream run by becoming the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in history (since 1990). Despite a strong start from Rinderknech, the Monegasque defeated his cousin in a now familiar manner, coming from a set down for the sixth time in his nine matches in Shanghai.
“It was just some surreal moments for both of us, for our family,” said Vacherot, who was later in tears as he praised his cousin at the trophy presentation. “Unfortunately, there was one winner. But our family won, and the sport of tennis won too, because the story we just wrote is amazing. The emotions were everywhere after the match.”
Paris R2, Vacherot d. Rinderknech 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-4
Less than three weeks after their match in Shanghai, Vacherot and Rinderknech met again at the Rolex Paris Masters, where they each received a wildcard into the main draw. Both players were also present at the live draw ceremony at La Défense Arena, where the bracket revealed the potential for a second-round meeting between the two cousins – another storyline that immediately caught the attention of fans and organizers alike.
This time it was a second-round clash rather than a high-stakes final, but nevertheless the intrigue surrounding the in-form family members remained. For almost three hours, Vacherot and Rinderknech took part in several entertaining rallies and battled for position on the field. Rinderknech saved two set points to take the opener but Vacherot, brimming with confidence from his run in Shanghai, came roaring back.
The difference was in the pressure moments. Vacherot fended off 11 of the 13 break points he faced against Rinderknech, while creating 11 of his own break chances and converting five, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
“I think what helps me is that I’m having so much fun. This is all new for me,” Vacherot, who reached the Paris quarter-finals, told Tennis Channel after the win. “I’m playing on the big stage now. It’s not now that I should feel pressure. That’s where I want to be.”
Valentin Vacherot signs ‘I love my family’ after beating Arthur Rinderknech in Paris. Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
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