Match Reaction
Vacherot Reflects on His Dream Run in Monte-Carlo: ‘I’ll Cherish These Memories Forever’
The 27-year-old made history as the first Monegasque player to reach the semi-finals in Monte-Carlo.
April 11, 2026
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Valentin Vacherot made history this week by reaching the semi-finals in Monte-Carlo.
By ATP Staff
Valentin Vacherot’s journey at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters concluded on Saturday with a loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. However, the outcome did little to overshadow a monumental week for the local hero.
This week marked a turning point for the 27-year-old as he became the first Monegasque player to reach the semi-finals in the prestigious event held in his own backyard.
“It was a fabulous tournament,” Vacherot expressed. “These memories will stay with me for a lifetime.”
Vacherot views this accomplishment as the launchpad for his future endeavors. He believes that this achievement not only raises his aspirations but also reinforces his conviction that he is capable of reaching greater heights. “Facing Alcaraz was a perfect opportunity to gauge my level and realize what I need to do to achieve even bigger results,” he noted.
“Even though I faced Alcaraz, I left the match feeling a bit frustrated, and that’s a good sign—it shows my desire to improve further,” he said confidently.
“Competing against him for the first time in the semi-finals was an incredible experience.”
Vacherot is certainly no stranger to delivering spectacular performances. Last October, he made waves by winning the Rolex Shanghai Masters as World No. 204, becoming the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in history. Along the way, he took down Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, propelling him into the Top 40.
Throughout the week, the Monegasque athlete triumphed over notable opponents such as Juan Manuel Cerundolo, fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti, Hubert Hurkacz, and fifth seed Alex de Minaur. As a result, he climbed to No. 17 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, poised to make his Top 20 debut on Monday. Yet, Vacherot remains unfazed by his ranking, eager to relish the upcoming clay season.
“I didn’t want to focus on the Top 20 from the get-go. For now, I intend to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’m excited that the clay court season is just beginning, as I look forward to competing in those amazing tournaments leading up to Roland Garros.”
Leaving Monte-Carlo, the local favorite carries a profound sense of accomplishment after a standout week on familiar turf. He admitted he could hardly fathom such an outcome at the start of the tournament.
“I feel like I have little left to prove. I belong here,” Vacherot reflected. “Honestly, at the beginning of this week, reaching the semi-finals wasn’t even on my radar.”
“All I wanted was to challenge myself against the top players on my home courts and see what I could achieve.”
