From College Tennis to Shanghai Final: Rinderknech & Vacherot’s Journey

Shanghai

Discovering the Inspiring Journey of Rinderknech & Vacherot: From College Tennis to Shanghai Showdown

Exclusive insights from Texas A&M Head Coach Steve Denton.

October 12, 2025

Back in 2018, the Texas A&M men’s tennis team faced a gut-wrenching 4-3 defeat against Wake Forest University in the NCAA Championships semi-finals. Arthur Rinderknech was playing No. 2 singles, while his cousin, Valentin Vacherot, was positioned at No. 4 singles. Their matches played out side by side in what became a defining moment for Rinderknech’s college career.

Coach Steve Denton, a two-time Australian Open finalist, vividly recalls Rinderknech’s words following that tough loss.

“As Arthur set out to pursue his professional career, he told me, ‘Steve, please take care of my cousin just like you took care of me,’” Denton shared with ATPTour.com. “And I promised him I would.”

This bond has blossomed, culminating in their epic clash for ATP Masters 1000 glory at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Both players triumphed over former No. 1s—Rinderknech defeating Daniil Medvedev and Vacherot conquering Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

“For these young men, this is a dream come to life,” Denton noted. “They’ve charted a unique path, and while most players face challenges, Rinderknech and Vacherot embody resilience, carving out their own space in the professional sphere.”

The dedication of this college coach knows no bounds; he has been setting alarms to catch the thrilling matches unfolding in China. Denton longed to be there in person, but by the time Rinderknech and Vacherot reached the finals, no flights were available to get him there on time.

Denton reflected, “Last night, I didn’t think Vacherot would win against Djokovic. Arthur has been on a remarkable streak, but Medvedev, a former world No. 1, posed a formidable challenge. Yet, for Arthur to pull through and set up a family showdown in the finals is simply incredible.”

Denton recalled traveling to France during Rinderknech’s junior days to assess prospective players. After mere minutes of watching Arthur, he knew he found someone special.

Upon arriving at Texas A&M, Rinderknech faced a year of ineligibility, yet the grit and perseverance he exhibited that season left a lasting impression on Denton.

“He had to endure the frustration of being unable to play,” Denton recounted. “This experience shaped him into a selfless leader, ready to support his team.”

Rinderknech’s philosophy has always revolved around teamwork, even in such an individual sport. Fast forward to Saturday, where he found himself down a set against Medvedev. Rather than solely focusing on winning, Arthur aimed to exhaust Medvedev, creating a better chance for Vacherot in the final.

“That’s typical of him. He’s always been a team player,” Denton said. “In that moment, he thought if he couldn’t secure a win, he could still contribute by tiring out Medvedev for Val’s benefit. Such humility and a strong family bond set them apart.”

This familial connection significantly influenced Vacherot’s decision to join Texas A&M, even though Denton was initially unaware of Rinderknech having such a talented cousin.

“After our first year together, and seeing how much he thrived here, he realized this would also be an excellent fit for his cousin,” Denton explained. “And that’s how it all came to be.”

The cousins’ time together spanned two seasons, achieving unprecedented heights for the program. While Rinderknech exuded confidence and approachability, Vacherot was more reserved, yet both emerged as incredible leaders in their distinctive styles. Watching their journey unfold has been nothing short of exhilarating.

“When you promise young athletes and their families that you will support their journey to the pro level, you must be consistently engaged in their development,” Denton said. “I’ve invested in their journey since the beginning, and as long as they want my guidance, I’m here to help.”

Despite not attending the Shanghai finals, Denton is eager to watch the match at the crack of dawn in Texas. This marks a historic moment as it’s only the second ATP Masters 1000 final featuring former college players in the series’ history (since 1990). The previous occurrence was Mikael Pernfors (Georgia) defeating Todd Martin (Northwestern) in the 1993 Canada final.

“Tennis has countless compelling stories, but this one stands out as one of the best of the year,” Denton concluded. “What excites me most is how these two athletes are demonstrating that college tennis is a legitimate route to professional success.”