Monaco’s rising tennis star, Valentin Vacherot, is savoring a career-defining moment after securing a place in the Shanghai Masters semifinal, where he will face 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. For the 26-year-old Monegasque, this opportunity is the culmination of years of hard work and a chance to finally compete against one of the sport’s all-time greats.
A dream run in Shanghai
Vacherot, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 110 last June but currently sits at No. 204, entered the Shanghai Masters through qualifying. He overcame the odds, winning two qualifying matches to make his first Masters main draw outside Monte Carlo.
On Thursday, Vacherot recorded the biggest win of his career by defeating world No. 11 Holger Rune in a thrilling three-set match, 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4. This victory not only propelled him into the semifinal but also marked a historic moment as he earns the chance to face Novak Djokovic for the first time in his career.
A Chance to play against a legend
Reflecting on the upcoming clash, Valentin Vacherot expressed the personal significance of the opportunity:
"I started my career, and this is only my fourth season on the professional tour. I started my first full season when it was in 2022. So I missed Roger. Roger stopped in 2022. I think I played maybe one tournament the same as Rafa. So I had no chance to play Rafa in my career. And if I, who knows whenever Novak is going to retire, we know it's rather sooner than later. So if I can play Saturday Novak it will be, it would just be, it would mean a lot to play at least one of the guys of the big three in my career," he said.
For Valentin Vacherot, competing against Novak Djokovic isn’t just another match — it’s a rare opportunity to measure himself against one of the sport’s legends before the era of the Big Three comes to an end.
From ITF and challenger circuits to the big stage
Prior to this breakthrough, Vacherot’s career had primarily unfolded on the ITF and Challenger circuits. His run to the Shanghai semifinal signals a dramatic leap in his professional trajectory. By reaching this stage, he is set to improve over 100 spots in the ATP rankings, breaking into the top-100 for the first time in his career.
The semifinal showdown against Novak Djokovic represents both a formidable challenge and a chance for Valentin Vacherot to write a new chapter in his career. Should he pull off an upset, he would be just one victory away from becoming a Masters champion as a qualifier — a remarkable feat in the tennis world.