Excuse Valentin Vacherot for his ear-to-ear grin, particularly as he responds to even the most basic inquiries.
How do you feel?
“I’m great!” he responded during a video call from Basel, Switzerland, where he is embarking on the new chapter of his career as a top-40 men’s tennis player. “Thrilled to be here!”
The term “here” carries significant weight for Vacherot.
Just three weeks ago, he was ranked No. 204 in the world, a 26-year-old from Monaco with a future likely confined to the sport’s lower tiers. Now, he holds the No. 39 spot and is the current ATP Shanghai Masters 1000 champion. His story has quickly become one of the most remarkable in men’s tennis.
If outcomes had followed the previous seasons’ trends, Vacherot would be competing in Challenger Tour events throughout October. Instead, he is transitioning from Basel to Paris for the final ATP Masters 1000 of the year, where he started strong against Czech player Jiří Lehečka, winning 6-1, 6-3 in his opening match. He now faces his cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, in their second encounter in three tournaments.
“It feels like I’m here as a child, marveling at this wonderful experience,” Vacherot said in a post-match press conference in Paris.
Before his arrival in Switzerland, he celebrated his championship title at a welcoming event with Prince Albert of Monaco. Vacherot’s openness about his emotions is new, and with people now eager to hear his thoughts, he is learning to maintain a balanced perspective on his sudden rise to success.
“Everything has changed for my career,” Vacherot stated, his hair falling over his forehead. “It may shift how others see me, but for me, I remain the same.”
