At the 2025 Shanghai Masters, it was quite the moment when Arthur Rinderknech found himself in a family showdown against his cousin, Valentin Vacherot. The 30-year-old Frenchman, who had convincingly taken the first set 6-4, ended up being outplayed by the 204th-ranked Vacherot. Vacherot made a strong comeback, winning the next two sets 6-3, 6-3, and pulled off an incredible upset as the lowest-ranked player ever to win a Masters 1000 event.

The match unfolded in front of a passionate crowd, including none other than Roger Federer. It turned into a real physical showdown, with Rinderknech looking like he was running on fumes by the final set. He even had to take a medical timeout for his back before Vacherot secured that memorable victory. But you know what? The real highlight of the day wasn’t just the score; it was the amazing family connection that really stood out.

After everything that happened, Rinderknech wasn’t dwelling on his own loss; instead, he was reflecting on the deep and lasting admiration he had for his cousin. As reported by journalist Quentin Moynet on X, Rinderknech expressed unwavering support for Vacherot, stating, “On the slopes, I was pulling for him. On the bike, I was pulling for him. In tennis, I was pulling for him. I’ve always wanted the best for him. He’s a great little guy who deserves it. I’ve loved him from the bottom of my heart forever. I’m extremely proud of him.”

This feeling really highlights the mentorship and brotherhood that started when they were young. Rinderknech had actually persuaded Vacherot to come along to Texas A&M University, and that choice ended up shaping their careers. They had such a strong connection that they actually warmed up together on the stadium court the morning of the final, which is pretty much unheard of between two opponents on the ATP Tour.

You could really feel the emotions during the trophy ceremony when both cousins couldn’t hold back their tears over their shared achievement. They both had even more to say about their journey to this epic moment.

The bond between Arthur Rinderknech and Valentine Vacherot is very strong

“To Valentin, my love. Two cousins just gave everything. I’m so happy for you. I hope we’ll have more,” Arthur Rinderknech said, his voice full of emotion as he paid a heartfelt tribute to his cousin Valentin Vacherot. This heartfelt statement really captured the unique vibe of their final—a challenging match on the court, but a solid family connection off it.

Rinderknech had hinted at this feeling even before stepping onto the court, telling reporters, “Tomorrow night there will be two winners anyway. There’s going to be a match, of course, but today we won everything. Tomorrow between us, that’s all that matters.” Valentin Vacherot, for his part, felt just as moved, sharing that same family pride in his speech. He mentioned, “There has to be one loser but I think there is two winners today. One family that won and I think for the sport of tennis, the story is unreal.”

For Rinderknech, the outcome in Shanghai wasn’t just a loss; it was the realization of a dream they both shared. In that moment, being a supportive cousin and the biggest fan felt way more important than any trophy.