PARIS — Monaco Tennis Federation president Melanie-Antoinette de Massy hailed Valentin Vacherot’s Shanghai Masters victory as a historic milestone for the principality, marking the federation’s first-ever Masters 1000 singles title.
Vacherot completed a fairytale run at the tournament, rallying from a set down to defeat his cousin, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, in the final and secure his first ATP title.
“It’s extraordinary,” de Massy told Reuters. “As a sports achievement, winning a Masters 1000 title, the first in singles for our federation. History has been made.”
With the win, Vacherot rocketed from number 204 in the world to number 40. “It’s unreal what just happened,” Vacherot said after his victory in the Chinese city.
“I have no idea what’s happening right now, I’m not in a dream, it’s just crazy. I’m just so happy with my performance these past two weeks.”
Monaco had previously celebrated two Masters 1000 crowns won by Hugo Nys in doubles. De Massy said that Vacherot’s run in Shanghai – which she flew out to witness from the semi-finals – capped a “tremendous year” for the nation’s tennis programme.
She credited fellow Monegasque players for setting the tone. “Valentin keeps saying Hugo and Romain (Arneodo) inspired him. They opened the way, and now he’s triumphing in singles.”
The federation chief, who also presides over the Monte-Carlo Country Club where Vacherot trained as a junior, described the 26-year-old as “a remarkable young man” whose speech after the final reflected a tight-knit, family-style setup that blends the national team with up-and-coming juniors.
“We always try to include the kids in everything,” she said, adding that junior players wear the same tracksuits as the Davis Cup team and often share courts and mealtimes with the seniors.
“Valentin definitely gave them a dream this weekend,” she said.
