Valentin Vacherot’s storybook breakthrough is trophy-clutching proof of just how deep the talent runs on the ATP Tour. 

In our ‘Deep Impact’ issue: 
🎙️ Exclusive Q&A with Valentin Vacherot
💗 Tommy + Paige team up for the kids
⛳ Alcaraz vs. Federer: Golf’s hottest rivalry?

‘KNOCKING ON THE DOOR, HE JUST BURST THROUGH’

2025 on the ATP Tour was replete with storylines. Sincaraz once again monopolised the majors; Nole crossed the hallowed 100-titles mark; Rafa was feted in Paris, his footprint forever captured in the terre battue; newly elected Pope Leo XIV confided that he was a tennis nut; Roger showed up in a Super Bowl ad alongside none other than Elmo. Whew.

But when it comes to mythmaking narratives, it was a virtual unknown, a Texas-schooled, 204th-ranked player from the tiny Principality of Monaco, who stole the show. Valentin Vacherot, but a single tour-level victory to his name, rolled into the Rolex Shanghai Masters as a qualifier, promptly played his way into the main draw, then upended the likes of Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune and Novak Djokovic en route to the title match. His opponent in the final? As fate would have it, it was his cousin and former A&M teammate Arthur Rinderknech.

With an emotional, intrafamily 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 triumph, Vacherot became the lowest-ranked champ in ATP Masters 1000 history. Coached by his half-brother, the ex-tour pro Benjamin Balleret, the Monégasque would jump 164 spots in the PIF ATP Rankings, into the Top 50 for the first time.

“I think it’s one of the most amazing stories,” ESPN broadcaster Patrick McEnroe told ATP Tour Insider. “The difference now between a player who’s, let’s say No. 20, 30 in the world and someone who’s No. 150, 250, is not that big anymore. We’ve seen some of them make runs to the Round of 16 of a major. But to see this guy win a Masters event was a whole ‘nother level. It was amazing the way he did it.” 

“I think it highlights the fact that there’s so much more depth in the men’s game,” McEnroe added. “We’ll see how long he can stay at that level for the next couple years, but it was a pretty remarkable performance from someone that was kind of knocking on the door and then just burst through.” 

McEnroe’s boothmate, the recently retired player Chris Eubanks, concurred: “I think it speaks to the depth of men’s tennis, especially a player like Vacherot. Came through the college system, big guy, allowed himself time for his body to develop, for him to figure out his game style. A lot of times, players with a lot of firepower can burst onto the scene and have these magical runs, but I’ve never seen someone finish the job and go on and take a massive title like that.”

Whether it’s Vacherot’s late-bloomer breakthrough at 26, French qualifier Terence Atmane punching through to the Cincinnati Open semis, or the kind of mass exodus that saw an Open Era-record 13 seeds fall in the opening round at Wimbledon, the men’s tour is perhaps deeper than it’s ever been, even at a time when two players — Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — appear to have separated themselves from the pack. The tour depth today? It’s fathomless. 🎾 — By Richard Osborn

YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IN SHANGHAI, THE UPSET OF NOVAK, A FAIRYTALE FINAL AGAINST YOUR COUSIN, CAREER-HIGH RANKING, ETC. — DID YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO DREAM THOSE KINDS OF DREAMS AS A YOUNG PLAYER, OR DID ALL THAT SEEM UNREACHABLE?
I wasn’t thinking big when I was 11, 12, 13. I just wanted to be a professional tennis player. When you see a guy ranked No. 400 in the world, that’s already crazy to you. I was never a generational talent. Tennis was more fun for me. I wasn’t dreaming of winning tournaments like that. I think not thinking about that helped me in the end.

HOW DOES A KID FROM THE FRENCH RIVIERA ADJUST TO LIFE IN CENTRAL TEXAS? YOU WENT FROM THE BAL DE LA ROSE TO FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
I think that’s why I did so well — because it is so different. I lived in Monaco my whole life. When all of a sudden you arrive in the middle of Texas, it’s just so different. I knew it was just going to be for a short period in my life. I allowed myself to enjoy it over there even though it’s not necessarily the most amazing place in the world. There was everything there for me to get better as a tennis player, to have fun in college.

WHAT IS THE DYNAMIC LIKE WHEN YOU’RE BEING COACHED BY YOUR HALF-BROTHER? HOW SPECIAL IS THAT BOND?
It’s an amazing thing we’ve had these last few years. There is way more positives than negatives. Of course, sometimes it’s not easy. If he needs to tell me something, he’s not scared to tell me. When it’s good, I know that it’s good; when it’s bad, he’ll tell me it’s bad. He’ll tell me what I need to do better. He’s not scared of telling me anything, because he’s my brother. It’s good, too, that he’s my older brother. There’s a 15-year difference. There’s way more respect with that. He was playing when I was young. I looked up to him. It could be tougher if we were the same age — like you were fighting on the couch when you were younger! [Laughs]. It was more of a dad-kid relationship then. That helps. More positives than negatives, for sure.

Alexander Bublik flaunted his Top 10 stuff en route to the Hong Kong title, digging into his bag of tricks with this behind-the-back wizardry against Marcos Giron in the semis.

Tommy Paul and fiancée Paige Lorenze are more than just one of tennis’ ‘it couples’. Together, they’re making a difference away from the court, too.

Paul, who last year reached a career-high No. 8 in the PIF ATP Rankings, and Lorenze, a former competitive alpine skier, know well what it takes to achieve in the high-stakes sporting arena. But they also understand the importance of using their considerable platforms to give back.

The duo recently announced the creation of the Kids Outdoors Foundation, which aims to create more opportunities for kids to play sports.

“Sports have put us in the position that we’re in right now,” says Paul, noting that funds will benefit pre-existing programmes that give kids access to sports with high financial barriers, like tennis, skiing and horseback riding. “We need to be giving back and I’m excited to start doing this and really getting it going, especially in South Florida and Eastern North Carolina, where I came from.”

Runners-up the past two years, Hubert Hurkacz, Iga Swiatek & Co (with their mascot 'Flammy' 🦩), finally have the United Cup trophy.

The victory was extra special for Hurkacz, who posted: "It has been a long journey since I played the last tournament. There were some ups and downs throughout this period, not knowing after the surgery when I will be able to start competing again... It means so much to me, that I am able to play the sport that I love again!"

🎪 THE RINGMASTER: Alexander Bublik is at his best when he’s having fun on the tennis court. ATP Originals profiles the always-entertaining Kazakh, who cracked the Top 10 on the heels of his Hong Kong title.

🤍 HERO FOR UNSUNG HEROES: Damian Kust made it his mission to cover the often-overlooked heroes of the ATP Challenger Tour. His colleagues paused to remember the Polish journalist, who passed away this month at the age of 26.

🏆 REI-VOLUTIONARY: A year after winning the boys’ singles title in Melbourne, Rei Sakamoto is a more mature player both mentally and physically: “There have been significant steps forward,” said his coach, Federico Ricci.

⏳ AGE IS JUST A NUMBER: With Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka rebelling against Father Time, WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka praised her ATP counterparts: “These guys are legends…I feel like there is no age anymore in sport.”

🦁 A FELLOW LION’S ROAR: NCAA champ Michael Zheng left an impression upon many in Melbourne, former World No. 7 Mario Ancic among them. Said Ancic, himself a onetime Columbia student, “It’s exceptional what he’s doing.”

👕 BUILT FOR THE COURT. BORN FOR LEGENDS: Explore match-ready polos, breathable performance gear, and lifestyle pieces inspired by tennis greats—perfect whether you’re playing, cheering, or styling off-court. You’ll also find exclusive collections with Lacoste athletes such as Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov and Daniil Medvedev, bringing their signature looks into your everyday wardrobe.

They may not have faced each other on the tennis court, but reigning World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and Hall-of-Famer-to-be Roger Federer are fast becoming rivals in golf, on courses from San Francisco to Melbourne.

Though Alcaraz has been at it for five years, and Federer only two, the 22-year-old Spaniard says his new foe’s game is as graceful (and dominant) as you might imagine.

“It’s as beautiful as the tennis!” he said. “I’m not surprised. It’s unbelievable. Everything he does, he does in style, really beautiful. On the golf course, it’s a really beautiful swing.”

Who’s got the upper hand? “He’s already beating me! It hurts,” confessed Alcaraz.

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