Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204 before last week, stunned the tennis world by winning the Rolex Shanghai Masters. At 26, he became the lowest-ranked player ever to win an ATP Masters 1000 event and the first player from Monaco to claim an ATP Tour singles title. His triumph over Arthur Rinderknech in the final and a semifinal win against Novak Djokovic catapulted him to 40th in the world rankings.
Basel Organizers Extend a Wildcard
In recognition of his breakthrough, Vacherot has been invited to compete at the Swiss Indoors in Basel. “Thanks to a wild card, spectators will have the opportunity to see one of the biggest sensations of the season,” announced the tournament organizers. The event, scheduled from October 20 to 26, will feature a high-caliber lineup including Taylor Fritz (No. 4), Ben Shelton (6), Holger Rune (11), Casper Ruud (12), and Félix Auger-Aliassime (13).
Swiss Talent Joins the Draw
Alongside Vacherot, two other wildcards have been awarded to Swiss players. Stan Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion, returns to Basel, while Henry Bernet, the junior winner of the last Australian Open, makes his debut on home soil. Their inclusion adds local flavor to an already elite field.
Tournament Schedule and Expectations
Qualifying rounds begin Saturday, with the main draw starting Monday. Vacherot’s participation is expected to draw significant attention, both for his recent success and his unique journey from underdog to Masters champion. His presence in Basel marks the continuation of what he recently called his “second career”
, a new chapter filled with opportunity and momentum.Valentin Vacherot in 2025
Currently the world no.40 (career-high), the Monegasque played his last match on the 12th of October when he defeated world no.28 Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 6-3 6-3 in the final in Shanghai to win his 1st career title.
This season the Monegasque has a compiled 42-22 win-loss record. This year, Vacherot conquered 1 tournament in Shanghai. Valentin reached the final in the Francavilla Challenger.
He is also scheduled to play in Athens (Hellenic Championship). The main draw will start on the 2nd of November.