After falling to his cousin Valentin Vacherot in the final of the Shanghai Masters, Arthur Rinderknech took a moment to reflect on the journey that brought him back to the top tier of tennis. His speech, delivered on court, was filled with gratitude and emotion, directed especially toward Lucas Pouille, his coach and former ATP player.
“Thank you to Lucas. We started and I was below the floor five months ago. I was thinking about stopping tennis at some point because I wasn’t seeing the point anymore and you believed in me, you gave me a chance, you trusted me,” Rinderknech said. “We moved forward and here we are, top 30 something for the end of the season. I hope it’s only the beginning. I can’t thank you enough.”
His words revealed the depth of his struggles earlier in the year and the importance of Pouille’s belief in reigniting his motivation.
A lucky charm and a family bond
Rinderknech also mentioned a small but meaningful gesture from Pouille’s four-year-old daughter, Rose, who gave him a lucky charm before the tournament began.
“Rose gave me a lucky charm, and I think it’s a good one. Merci,” he added with a smile.
The final was not just a professional milestone—it was a family affair. Facing his cousin in one of the biggest matches of his career, Rinderknech acknowledged the shared journey and the role of both families in shaping their paths.
“Thank you to my wife, she’s amazing. Thank you to your parents, thanks to my parents because we’re here because of them. Thank you to all my family,”
he said.A season of revival
Rinderknech’s run to the final marked a dramatic turnaround in his season. From contemplating retirement to finishing the year inside the top 30, his resurgence has been one of the most inspiring stories on the ATP Tour in 2025.
Though he didn’t lift the trophy, his words and performance in Shanghai resonated deeply with fans and fellow players, highlighting the power of belief, resilience, and family.
Arthur Rinderknech in 2025
Ranked no.54, Arthur played his last match 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).
Currently, during this year Arthur has achieved a 31-32 match record. Arthur Rinderknech’s latest run in Shanghai was the best achievement of his season.