Vacherot and the hunch that guided him towards Shanghai: “I had the small goal of being Top 100”

Valentin Vacherot (204°) landed more than two weeks ago on Asian soil with a hunch that guided him towards the “small” big goal of becoming Top 100 before the close of the season. The statements of the Shanghai Masters 1000 champion, below.

“Before coming here I had a small goal of becoming Top 100 before the end of the season. I knew that would take a lot because we all know what it takes to win even a Challenger. So, if I wanted to achieve my goal before the end of the year, I had to win a few”explained the 26-year-old Monegasque after his dream consecration at the Shanghai Masters 1000.

“It’s crazy to say, but over the summer I had this tournament on my mind. I knew it was the last biggest one I would have a chance of entering now with the big qualifying draws. I knew I had a chance to get in and if I wanted to achieve my goal, I had to do it well. But little did I know that I would end up in this situation, it’s incredible,” said who, starting next Monday, will climb to 40th place in the men’s ranking.

The grand final against his cousin Arthur Rinderknech (54th) was attended by Roger Federer a few meters from the track closely following the action. “I won’t lie, after winning or losing some points, I looked at him out of the corner of my eye to see how he reacted to the points.“revealed the unexpected champion, who left Laslo Djere, Alexander Bublik, Tomas Machac, Tallon Griekspoor, Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic on the road before touching the sky with his hands.

“It was incredible to have him there. I had the opportunity to play against Novak yesterday. And today I was able to meet Roger. Even outside of tennis, it has been a crazy week for me,” continued the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin native, who entered as alternate to the qualifying stage of the Chinese event.

“Walking the flag of my country is surreal. I think about our small federation, our small country, one of the smallest in the world. It is probably the smallest federation. We don’t have many players and we also now have a Masters 1000 in singles and two in doubles. And a Grand Slam final with Hugo at the Australian Open two years ago. What we have achieved for Monaco is incredible. I hope you are proud of us,” He closed after becoming the first tennis player from his country to win an individual title in the Open Era.

All the action of the Shanghai Masters 1000 could be followed through Disney+ Premium Plan.