Rivalries of 2025: Vacherot vs. Rinderknech

ATP Tour

Rivalries of 2025: Vacherot vs. Rinderknech

Cousins confronted off twice throughout 17 days in one of many tales of the ATP Tour season

November 27, 2025

To mark the top of one other thrilling season, ATPTour.com is unveiling our annual ‘Finest Of’ collection, which is able to mirror on probably the most intriguing rivalries, matches, comebacks, upsets and extra. This week, we’re one of the best rivalries of the 12 months.

Not even Hollywood may script what unfolded this season between Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech.

They might be opponents on courtroom, however Vacherot and Rinderknech are, extra importantly, cousins. Their respective fairytale runs to a once-in-a-lifetime showdown within the Rolex Shanghai Masters ultimate represented one in all tennis’ most inconceivable current storylines, whereas in addition they confronted off once more 17 days later on the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris.

ATPTour.com recaps the unlikely saga.

Shanghai Closing, Vacherot d. Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3It is secure to say no one noticed this ultimate coming, together with Vacherot and Rinderknech themselves. However in opposition to all odds, the cousins, who in 2018 each performed at Texas A&M College, stood throughout the online for an ATP Masters 1000 title showdown in Shanghai. Vacherot was two factors from defeat in qualifying on the Chinese language occasion, but managed to make the primary draw after which went on to defeat 5 seeded gamers, together with document four-time champion Novak Djokovic within the semi-finals.

Rinderknech additionally downed 5 seeds en path to the ultimate. After the Frenchman secured his semi-final win in opposition to 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev, Vacherot got here onto the courtroom to greet Vacherot. They shared an emotional hug — laughing, smiling and even crying as they regarded forward to the championship conflict.

It was Vacherot, then World No. 204, who capped his dream run by changing into the lowest-ranked ATP Masters 1000 champion in historical past (since 1990). Regardless of a powerful begin from Rinderknech, the Monegasque edged his cousin in by-then acquainted trend, rallying from a set down for the sixth time throughout his 9 Shanghai matches.

“It was just a few unreal moments for each of us, for our household,” mentioned Vacherot, who was later in tears as he praised his cousin on the trophy ceremony. “Sadly, there was one winner. However our household received, and the game of tennis received as effectively, as a result of the story we simply wrote is superb. The feelings have been simply all over the place after the match.”

Paris R2, Vacherot d. Rinderknech 6-7(9), 6-3, 6-4Less than three weeks after their Shanghai conflict, Vacherot and Rinderknech encountered one another once more on the Rolex Paris Masters, the place they every obtained a main-draw wild card. Each gamers have been additionally current on the dwell draw ceremony at La Défense Enviornment, the place the bracket revealed the potential for a second-round assembly between the 2 cousins — one other storyline that instantly caught the eye of followers and organisers alike.

This time, it was a second-round conflict as an alternative of a high-stakes ultimate, however nonetheless, intrigue remained across the in-form relations. Throughout practically three hours, Vacherot and Rinderknech engaged in a number of entertaining rallies and battled for courtroom positioning. Rinderknech saved two set factors to seize the opener, however Vacherot, brimming with the free-swinging confidence from his Shanghai run, got here roaring again.

The distinction was within the stress moments. Vacherot fended off 11 of the 13 break factors he confronted in opposition to Rinderknech, whereas creating 11 of his personal break alternatives and changing 5, in response to Infosys ATP Stats.

“I believe what’s serving to me is that I’m having a lot enjoyable. That is all new to me,” Vacherot, who went onto attain the Paris quarter-finals, informed Tennis Channel after the win. “I’m enjoying on the large stage now. It’s not now once I ought to be feeling stress. That’s the place I need to be.”

Valentin Vacherot indicators ‘I really like my household’ after defeating Arthur Rinderknech in Paris. Credit score: Julian Finney/Getty Photos