Vacherot: "I visualized that I could do well in Shanghai, but not that well"

Raquel Bermúdez Rodríguez | 11 Oct 2025 | 14.21

Vacherot: "I visualized that I could do well in Shanghai, but not to that extent". Photo: Getty

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Without a doubt, these days are the happiest in Valentin Vacherot's career, who is still not fully aware of everything he is achieving in this ATP Shanghai 2025. The Monegasque, who started the Chinese Masters 1000 outside the Top 200, ensures he will leave the tournament within the Top 60.

A dream come true for Vacherot, who never expected to go this far after surpassing the qualifying stage of this ATP Shanghai 2025. After defeating Novak Djokovic in two sets with impressive composure, the one from Monaco awaits the opponent from the clash between Daniil Medvedev and Arthur Rinderknech.

"To be honest, I have many emotions. It took me a bit to recover, but when I entered the locker room and turned on my phone, it was quite hard not to cry, just because of the messages from everyone in Monaco, my friends, my family, and from everyone. It's incredible. One more match tomorrow," said Valentin in the press conference.

- This is what Valentin Vacherot said after defeating Novak Djokovic

"Individually, I'm the first from Monaco in the final of a Masters 1000, but we have two guys in the Top 40 in doubles. It's definitely historic. I've probably broken records with all that's going on now. It means a lot to me and to the country. Surely, it might be the smallest country in the world, and we don't have many athletes. Seeing all the joy I bring back home is what fills my heart the most right now."

- Vacherot explains how it feels to play against Djokovic

"I missed Federer and Nadal in my career because my ranking was much lower, and they retired before I started competing in the same tournaments as them. Playing against Djokovic once is incredible, being on the other side of the court. I'm surprised by how I handled it mentally. He immediately broke my serve, playing just as I thought he would.

I was very glad to break back as quickly as possible. Then it became a battle. We know he's 38 years old, which is very tough. It's already incredible what he's doing at 38, it's hard on his body. The truth is, I had to stay focused. I had so many thoughts in my head, even when I had just won the first set and all, but every time I had small thoughts, I simply attributed them to thinking about the next return I was going to make or the next serve I was going to execute."

- Vacherot's Jump in the ATP Ranking

"It's a great achievement. I kept thinking that the top 100 was possible for me before the end of the season. We know how this works. I knew that Shanghai was the most important tournament towards the end of the season, where I could have the chance to enter those big draws now in the qualifiers. I was close, I got in 24 hours before the start of the qualifying."

Perhaps I visualized that I could do well here, but I didn't think I could do this well. Honestly, I didn't think I could do this well. Winning a couple of matches was already good. I kept thinking about being among the top 100 before the end of the season. I would have settled for finishing in 99th or 100th place. Thinking now that I will reach at least 58th..., I need to realize that, but it's good. Now I will be able to play all the most important tournaments in the world, so I'm very happy about that."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Vacherot: "Visualicé que podría hacerlo bien en Shanghái, pero no tanto"

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