SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Valentin Vacherot of Monaco celebrate after winning against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the Men’s singles Semifinals on day 13 of the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 11, 2025 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
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Valentin Vacherot already considered himself a winner because he was facing his cousin in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai.
But with his 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over his cousin Arthur Rinderknech, the world No. 204 not only became the lowest-ranked player to win a Masters 1000 title but just about doubled his career prize money.
Entering the tournament, Vacherot had earned $594,077 for his career. The No. 1 ranked player in Monaco, who had only claimed one career ATP Tour match win entering Shanghai, exceeded that total just by making the final. He was guaranteed to earn at least $597,890.
But by winning the title, he took home a $1,124,380 paycheck.
En route to the title, Vacherot beat Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, No. 20 Tomáš Macháč, No. 27 Tallon Griekspoor, No. 10 Holger Rune and No. 4 Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
“It is unreal what just happened,” said Vacherot. “I have no idea what is happening right now. I am not even dreaming, it is just crazy. I am just so happy with my performances the past two weeks. I just want to thank everyone who has helped with my career since the beginning. There has to be one loser but I think there is two winners today, one family that won. And I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”
In the final, the 26-year-old rallied from a set down for the sixth time this tournament, including qualifying, to become the first player representing Monaco to win a tour-level title in the Open Era. He is also just the third qualifier to win a Masters 1000 crown, joining Roberto Carretero (Hamburg 1996) and Albert Portas (Hamburg 2001).
“I feel when I am down, I have no choice and need to bring my A-game,” Vacherot said on his impressive record of coming from behind. “In the first set I didn’t do that and he was playing better than me. I took my first chance to break in the second set and from that the crowd got more involved and we put on more of a show in the second part of the match.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamzagoria/2025/10/12/worlds-no-204-ranked-tennis-player-doubles-career-prize-money-in-shanghai/
