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Arthur Rinderknech Valentin Vacherot Shanghai Masters: Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot, who happen to be first cousins, have created history in China. Both have reached the Shanghai Masters final, turning it into a true family showdown this Sunday.
When Rinderknech smashed his final ace to secure a spot in the semi-finals, he pointed to his coaching box in celebration. His eyes met those of his cousin, Vacherot, who had done the exact same thing the day before.
A big smile spread across Rinderknech’s face. He knew he’d just joined his cousin in one of the biggest moments of their careers — and back home, their family group chat lit up with pure joy.
The closing weeks of the tennis season can take a toll. Players push through tired bodies, weary minds, and, in Shanghai this week, the punishing heat and humidity.
But in the middle of all that exhaustion, a beautiful story has unfolded. It’s about 30-year-old Arthur Rinderknech, a true journeyman, and his younger cousin, 26-year-old Valentin Vacherot from Monaco.
Vacherot began the week as an alternate in the qualifiers, sitting outside the world’s top 200. Now, he’s made history — and captured the hearts of tennis fans everywhere.
The cousins are now set to face each other in Sunday’s final.
Driven by his promise to “follow Val,” Arthur Rinderknech kept his word. After Vacherot pulled off a stunning win over world No. 11 Holger Rune, Rinderknech responded with a brilliant victory of his own, defeating US Open semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Vacherot wasn’t done yet. He went on to shock everyone by beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the first semi-final. Before leaving the court, he scribbled “allez Arthur” on the camera — a heartfelt message for his cousin.
Soon after, Rinderknech returned the favor, battling past Daniil Medvedev in three tough sets to complete the family fairytale. Valentin Vacherot’s path to the final has been the biggest shock of the tournament.
He spent much of last season sidelined with a right shoulder injury. This year, he mainly competed in Challenger events, only skipping that pattern for his home tournament in Monaco, where he got a wildcard.
Ranked too low for automatic entry into Shanghai qualifying, Vacherot decided to take a chance and head to China. The gamble worked. A few withdrawals before the deadline gave him a spot in qualifying as an alternate.
Since the start of the tournament, Vacherot has been unstoppable. He has won eight matches and taken down five seeded opponents in a row: Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune, and Novak Djokovic.
His remarkable run makes him the second-lowest-ranked player ever to reach a semi-final at an ATP Masters event.
Guided by his half-brother Benjamin Balleret, Vacherot has also made history as the first player from Monaco to reach an ATP Tour final.
Although Monaco has hosted many top players, none have ever come from the principality — until now.
“I didn’t enter as a qualifier. I came in as an alternate,” Vacherot said after beating Rune in three sets. “I wasn’t even sure I’d get to play in qualifying.”
The 26-year-old is now on track to crack the top 100 in the world for the first time. “This feels unreal. I’m so happy and truly living my dream,” he said.
Novak Djokovic is familiar with Vacherot’s coach, Benjamin Balleret, a former player who once reached No. 204 in the world. “It’s an incredible story for him,” Djokovic said ahead of their semi-final match.
Rinderknech, the older cousin, is enjoying his breakthrough moment at age 30. His strong form over recent months includes a first-round win against Alexander Zverev at Wimbledon.
In Shanghai, he defeated world No. 3 Zverev again. He followed that by beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals. Since June, he has claimed seven victories over top-20 players — the same number he had earned in his entire career before this season.
Reaching his first Masters final will push Rinderknech to a career-high ranking of at least No. 37.
What makes Rinderknech and Vacherot’s story so special is how closely it’s linked.
The cousins spent time together at Texas A&M University, playing side by side for two and a half years between 2016 and 2018.
Years of grinding on the tour have paid off. Now, each is reaching career-defining milestones while watching the other shine.
“I’ve been keeping up with my cousin,” Rinderknech said, pointing at Vacherot. “He went through so many emotions on Thursday, and I’m trying to follow his lead — to fight and play the way he does.
Our family is cheering us on from home. Out here, it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. This experience has been truly amazing.”
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