After the Shanghai final, Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot sat together on the bench, sharing a quiet moment that echoed their childhood. It was a fitting close to a week that rewrote tennis history.
A scene that spoke louder than applause
As the crowd filtered out of Stadium Court, the two cousins remained seated side by side. No cameras, no ceremony—just a conversation between two men who had grown up hitting balls together and now found themselves on opposite sides of one of the sport’s biggest stages. The image of Rinderknech and Vacherot chatting on the bench after the final captured something deeper than victory or defeat.
“There has to be one loser but I think there are two winners today,” Vacherot said during the trophy ceremony. “One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”
From backyard rallies to Shanghai’s center court
Their journey began long before the Shanghai Masters. Both trained together as kids, later attending Texas A
Arthur Rinderknech in 2025
Ranked no.54, Rinderknech played his last encounter on the 12th of October when he was overcome by world no.204 Valentin Vacherot 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final in Shanghai (draw).
Until now, during this year Arthur achieved a composed 31-32 record. Arthur Rinderknech’s latest run in Shanghai was the best achievement of his season.
Valentin Vacherot in 2025
At the moment ranked no.204, Vacherot played his last match on the 12th of October when he defeated world no.54 Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final in Shanghai to win his 1st challenger.
Currently, during this year Vacherot achieved an overall 42-22 match record. This year, Vacherot lifted the trophy in Shanghai. The Monegasque got to the final in the Francavilla Challenger.
Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot clashed against each other only twice. Their current record is 1-1.