The Showdown of 2025: Vacherot vs. Rinderknech
Cousins clashed twice in a thrilling saga that captured the essence of the ATP Tour season.
November 27, 2025
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Valentin Vacherot holds a 2-0 advantage over Arthur Rinderknech in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By Grant Thompson
As we bid farewell to another exhilarating season, ATPTour.com proudly presents our annual ‘Best Of’ series, spotlighting the most captivating rivalries, matches, comebacks, and stunning upsets. This week, we turn our attention to the standout rivalries of the year.
What transpired this season between Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech is a storyline that could rival any blockbuster film.
While they battled fiercely on the court, their bond as cousins added an emotional layer to this memorable rivalry. Their incredible journeys led them to a spectacular face-off in the Rolex Shanghai Masters finals, a moment that will be etched in tennis history, followed by a rematch just 17 days later at the ATP Masters 1000 in Paris.
Let’s delve into this remarkable tale.
Shanghai Final: Vacherot def. Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3
It’s safe to say that no one, including the players, anticipated this final matchup. Against all odds, these cousins, both alumni of Texas A&M University, found themselves vying for an ATP Masters 1000 title in Shanghai. Vacherot, with a ranking of World No. 204, nearly missed the main draw, yet miraculously overcame five seeded players, including the legendary Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Rinderknech also had a formidable path to the final, defeating five seeds along the way. After his emotional semi-final victory over Daniil Medvedev, the cousins shared an unforgettable moment together on the court, filled with laughter, tears, and excitement for their impending championship clash.
In an exhilarating final, Vacherot crowned his dream run by becoming the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in history. Despite a strong start from Rinderknech, Vacherot showcased his resilience, coming from a set down for the sixth time in Shanghai.
“These are unreal moments for us and our family,” Vacherot expressed, visibly emotional during the trophy ceremony. “While one of us had to win, our family emerged victorious, and tennis itself triumphed because of the incredible story we created together.”
Paris R2: Vacherot def. Rinderknech 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-4
A mere three weeks after their epic showdown in Shanghai, Vacherot and Rinderknech met again at the Rolex Paris Masters, both receiving wild cards into the main draw. Their presence at the live draw ceremony heightened anticipation among fans as the possibility of a second-round face-off became apparent.
Even though this encounter shifted from a high-stakes final to an early round clash, intrigue still buzzed around these two rising stars. Over nearly three thrilling hours, they engaged in riveting rallies, fiercely contending for court control. Rinderknech clinched a tightly contested opening set, saving two set points, but Vacherot, buoyed by newfound confidence, fought back valiantly.
The turning point lay in crucial moments: Vacherot saved 11 out of 13 break points while creating 11 chances for himself, converting five, as per Infosys ATP Stats.
“I think what drives me is the joy I’m experiencing. This is all uncharted territory for me,” Vacherot reflected, who advanced to the Paris quarter-finals following the victory. “I’m stepping onto the big stage now, and this is precisely where I want to be.”
Valentin Vacherot expresses ‘I love my family’ after triumphing over Arthur Rinderknech in Paris.” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2025/11/20/15/22/vacherot-camer-lens.jpg”/>
Valentin Vacherot declares ‘I love my family’ after his victory against Arthur Rinderknech in Paris. Credit: Julian Finney/Getty Images
