Vacherot, after reaching the semifinals of a Masters 1000: "It's a fun pressure, I shouldn't be here"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 9 Oct 2025 | 20.39

Vacherot, after reaching the semifinals of a Masters 1000: "It's a fun pressure, I shouldn't be here." Photo: Gettyimages

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Valentin Vacherot is being one of the latest surprises of this 2025 and possibly one of the most astonishing. He arrived at ATP Shanghai not even knowing if he could play the qualifying rounds and ranked 204th. After a dream week, he secures his first entry into the Top 100.

It's time to start taking Valentin Vacherot seriously in this ATP Shanghai 2025. For many, it was just a footnote that he defeated Alexander Bublik in the second round (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) and some attributed luck to the withdrawal due to injury of Tomas Machac (6-0, 3-1) which granted him a spot in the round of 16. But there, he overcame a player of Tallon Griekspoor's caliber (4-6, 7-6(1), 6-4) and that's when people began to take interest in his story. Until today when he defeated the world number eleven, Holger Rune, in the same fashion he has been doing all week in China, coming back from a set down to win (2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4).

The Monegasque not only reaches his first Masters 1000 semifinals, thus making history for his country as the only one to achieve this feat to date, but he will vie for a place in the final against none other than Novak Djokovic. Speaking about his upcoming clash with the Serbian, the emotions felt these days, his entry into the Top 100 of the ATP rankings, and the pride he is bringing to Monaco were discussed in the subsequent press conference.

Valentin Vacherot still can't believe he's in the semifinals of ATP Shanghai 2025

"There are many emotions I am experiencing. I was already very excited by everything, by the first three victories. Especially the third-round one was hard to enjoy because Tomas had to retire. But the round of 16 against Griekspoor was very emotional. It was an unreal moment."

"But this victory is even more so because, yes, it's my first semifinal. Moreover, moving from 200 to 92 in the ATP rankings is incredible. It's a surreal moment for me. So much emotion. Being able to share it with my brother, who is my coach, my girlfriend, Arthur, my cousin. I still feel that there are some people here with me, ready to cheer for Arthur Rinderknech tomorrow."

After six dry months in 2024, Vacherot achieves his goal of breaking into the Top 100

"Last year was very tough for me when I got injured after Roland Garros in May, sitting on the couch, 30 points away from the top 100, watching as I wasn't progressing in the rankings, then dropping. I knew it wouldn't be easy this year to climb back up the rankings. It took me quite some time. Even before this tournament, I was in the 204th position, so I was still far from the top 100."

"Before the tournament, I kept saying that although there were only two months left, my goal for the end of the season was to be among the top 100. It's as if, who knows, with a good streak, it could quickly be achieved, but obviously, I didn't know it was going to be here and in just one tournament. It's, again, an unreal feeling."

His routine hasn't changed despite the circumstances, and he doesn't feel negative pressure

"To be honest, I do the same things every day. One surprise is that I didn't feel as nervous, so to speak. I started feeling it a bit when I stepped onto the court because there were a lot of people. The crowd conveyed a very fun energy. It wasn't like real pressure; it's fun pressure, I shouldn't be here. I feel that the pressure falls more on my opponents than on me. It's me who shouldn't be here more than them."

"I think this is helping me a lot. That's why I can play freely. And of course, it's not easy because they are the best players in the world. I'm also very surprised, yes, to have beaten some of them, day after day. I hope to continue doing so."

Novak Djokovic, his next opponent

"I started my career recently, and this is only my fourth season on the professional circuit. I started my first full season in 2022. So, I missed Federer because he retired in 2022. I think I only crossed paths with Nadal in one tournament. So, I also didn't have the opportunity to play against Nadal in my career. And who knows when Djokovic will retire; we know it will be sooner rather than later. So, being able to play against Djokovic on Saturday will mean a lot, to be able to play against at least one of the big three in my career."

Monegasque pride after his success in the ATP Shanghai

"When Romain Arneodo won the doubles in Monte Carlo, I was the first to jump for joy by the court. I even shed tears. We are a small family. We are only four players. We support each other. And seeing Romain Arneodo, whom I have known since he was 10 or 12, win the doubles title at home was simply incredible. Also, seeing Hugo Nys reach the doubles semifinals every week, in any tournament, Grand Slam, Masters 1000. Although it's different from singles, it gives me ideas, and I want to do the same. It's great that now it's my turn."

"Just before coming here, I was watching a video at the country club where everyone followed the match together in the lounge, and I almost cried. My fitness coach and everyone else aren't even here; I only came with my coach and my girlfriend. So yes, it's a great joy for all of us," concludes a Valentin Vacherot who wants to keep making history at ATP Shanghai 2025 even though his next opponent is a certain Novak Djokovic.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Vacherot, tras meterse en las semifinales de un Masters 1000: "Es una presión divertida, yo no debería de estar aquí"

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