Arthur Rinderknech accidentally fell from the stage while his cousin, Valentin Vacherot, was giving his victory speech at the Shanghai Masters. Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world, rallied back after losing the first set to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in their family face-off.
During the trophy ceremony, both cousins became emotional as they paid tribute to each other. As Vacherot acknowledged his half-brother and coach, Benjamin, a loud noise was heard as Rinderknech collapsed at the edge of the platform, sparking concerns of possible cramp.
Vacherot, the underdog who came through the qualifiers, made history by becoming the lowest-ranked player to make it to a Masters 1000 final. The cousins had already expressed their satisfaction before the match, emphasizing that their bond transcended the competitive outcome.
Despite both players shedding tears during the ceremony, it was Vacherot who emerged victorious, leaving Rinderknech in tears on the ground. The situation prompted Vacherot to call for assistance, speculating that Rinderknech might be suffering from cramp.
As staff members attended to Rinderknech, Vacherot continued his speech, thanking his support team and girlfriend. Rinderknech was provided with a chair and received treatment from a physio for his thigh as Vacherot concluded his address.
After Vacherot finished speaking, Rinderknech managed to stand for photos before letting his cousin revel in his triumph. Despite mostly speaking in French, Vacherot had earlier expressed his desire for both of them to be winners.
Overwhelmed by his unexpected victory, Vacherot exclaimed, “I mean, just all like crying, it’s just unreal. What just happened? I have no idea what’s happening right now.” He expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to his career and acknowledged the unique story of their family face-off.
Vacherot humbly acknowledged that only one winner could be crowned but believed that their shared victory transcended the match outcome, portraying the event as a remarkable tale in the world of tennis.