Valentin Vacherot became the ATP Tour’s eighth winner this season at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, becoming only the fifth player to win his first title at an ATP Masters 1000 event.
Vacherot upset Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic on his way to the final, before beating cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final. The 26-year-old is the first player from Monaco to win an ATP Tour singles title.
ATPTour.com spoke to Vacherot to discuss the significance of his trophy run, the journey to this point and much more…
What does it mean to you to win your first ATP Tour title?
I thought my first title could be an ATP 250. But to do it at a Masters 1000 here in Shanghai, my first time in China, first time in Shanghai. I think this country will have the greatest place in my heart. It means everything to me.
Can you take a moment to recognize some of the key people in your life and career who helped you reach this milestone?
Lots of people. First of all, my parents. Thanks to them I play tennis. When I first came out of the hospital, when I was only a few days old, they sat me on the side of the field and played. My brother and coach Benjamin, who has been taking care of me since I graduated in 2021. Ballert, Benjamin’s father, not my father. He taught me to play tennis from the ages of 10 to 18. The boys of the Monegasque Tennis Federation.
I would also like to thank Arthur. He attended Texas A&M and I didn’t think about going to another school, I just trusted him to join him there and get better. As you saw, we have much, much better. It was surreal standing here with him today.
This is a milestone moment in your career. How will you celebrate this victory?
I have no idea. I can’t wait to get back home. This will be a great moment for everyone. To see my friends, my family and my parents, I will see them as soon as possible. The season is not over yet, I still have some work to do. When everything is done, I’m going to celebrate with my friends.
Playing your cousin in the final, the first time you played against each other since a Futures in 2018… How strange is it to compare that 2018 match to the experience you shared today?
He started his career in 2018, one of his first ITF tournaments after completing his studies. I was still in college. I just wanted to train and went to a few ITFs and ended up playing him in the quarter-finals at one o’clock. That was fun. Little did we know that the next time we would play would be here. I was kind of wondering if I was going to be ranked again, when would be the first time we would play against each other and our family would have a big laugh and a big moment. It’s great to be in the final of a Masters 1000 final.
How would you describe yourself as a player, and how would you describe yourself off the field?
Off the field I am very calm, very down to earth. I’m not someone you’ll hear much in the room. Not someone who talks much. It is the small side of me that has helped me a lot on the court in the big moments this week. On the court I am quite energetic and put all my energy into the field, in training and competitions.
What do you consider your greatest passion outside of tennis and can you tell us something about that interest?
I love sitting on the couch and watching Netflix. Play video games and I’m a big sports fan. Watch football. Watch tennis when some of my favorite players or my friends are playing. Football or F1, big moments I watch. I’m going to go to the beach for a bit, walk around with my girlfriend.
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