Player Highlights
Valentin Vacherot’s Triumphant Rise into the Top 100, with Family by His Side!
Hailing from Monaco, Vacherot made an incredible comeback against Rune, propelling himself into the Shanghai semi-finals!
October 09, 2025
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Valentin Vacherot revels in joy after an intense win over Holger Rune in Shanghai.
By Greg Sharko
As the match concluded, a wave of emotions washed over Valentin Vacherot, marking his fifth triumphant comeback from a set down at the 2025 Rolex Shanghai Masters—a historic milestone as the first player from Monaco to advance to an ATP Tour semi-final.
With tears of joy streaming down his face, the 26-year-old excitedly pointed at the courtside camera, exclaiming, “Top 100!!!”
In a thrilling encounter, the qualifier achieved his biggest career victory against World No. 11 Holger Rune, winning 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in a grueling two-hour and 59-minute match—the second-longest of the tournament. He’s now set to challenge four-time champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
“This is such an emotional journey for me,” Vacherot reflected. “Reaching my first semi-final after the ups and downs of my career is surreal. Sharing this moment with my coach, my brother, and my girlfriend means the world.”
His cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, attested to Vacherot’s dedication, saying he always believed his cousin would reach this milestone. “I’ve awaited this moment for a long time. I can’t wait to experience a full season with him on the Tour,” Rinderknech shared.
A moment to cherish 🙌 @val_vacherot triumphs over Rune 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4, reaching his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. @SH_RolexMasters | #RolexShanghaiMasters pic.twitter.com/l29tKkSJsh
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 9, 2025
Just last year, Vacherot was on the cusp of breaking into the Top 100, peaking at No. 110 in the PIF ATP Rankings before a shoulder injury sidelined him for most of the season.
“I faced immense challenges last year, battling to recover while watching my ranking slip away,” Vacherot recounted, reflecting on the mental hurdles of his journey. “To be here now, ranked No. 92, feels incredible.”
Upon arriving in Shanghai, Vacherot was initially 22 spots away from qualifying but persevered and secured his spot less than 36 hours before the matches began.
“I knew there was a chance, especially as the season winds down and players were pulling out. I was determined to seize this opportunity,” he expressed.
His half-brother, Benjamin Balleret, has been instrumental as his coach, believing deeply in Vacherot’s potential. “Watching him grow through adversity has been emotional for me; I see just how much he desires this,” Balleret commented.
Vacherot (7) with cousin Rinderknech (10) at the 2006 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Balleret
Rinderknech was proud to witness Vacherot’s perseverance. “He fought valiantly throughout the match, finding ways to clinch the important points,” he noted after the match.
The duo, who share a remarkable bond, trained together for two and a half seasons at Texas A&M University, making their success even sweeter. “Val’s resilience and refusal to give up have always inspired me,” Rinderknech added.
“Val is a true fighter. It’s wonderful to watch his hard work pay off, especially during crucial moments in a match. I couldn’t be prouder of him,” said their former coach Steve Denton, who tuned in late at night from afar.
