"When Alcaraz wasn’t in Shanghai and Sinner went down with cramps, it was open season": Andy Roddick marvels at Vacherot fairytale

Shanghai played host to one of the most remarkable stories of the ATP season, as Valentin Vacherot — a player ranked No. 204 in the world — staged a stunning run to the final of a Masters 1000 event, defeating Novak Djokovic in the semis along the way. On the latest episode of Served with Andy Roddick, Roddick and his co-host dissected the improbable journey, offering insight into both the tennis and the human story behind it.

“It’s insane,” Roddick said on Served. “Two points away from losing in qualifying, runs the table from 204 in the world, beats Novak in the semis — and he lost the first set in like six of his eight wins. It’s a great story.”

The discussion also touched on the circumstances that made the tournament so open. With Carlos Alcaraz skipping Shanghai and Jannik Sinner dealing with injuries earlier in the season, the field presented a rare opportunity for lower-ranked players to shine.

“When Alcaraz wasn’t in Shanghai and Sinner went down with cramps, it was open season,” Roddick explained. “Vacherot capitalized on that, and he pointed right at himself, he was ready.”

The conversation then looked back to Miami, where Sinner was suspended and Alcaraz suffered an early exit to David Goffin. “Open season again,” Roddick noted, reflecting on how these absences reshaped the dynamics of the tour. “These guys change everything.”

Vacherot’s journey, however, wasn’t purely a story of luck. Roddick highlighted the preparation and experience that made it possible. “He had a lot of time,” Roddick said. “In a 12-day tournament, you have the ability to plan, recover, and handle the workload. But still — six matches in seven days is no joke.”

Roddick was quick to praise Vacherot’s opponent in the final, Arthur Rinderknech, who himself has been building steadily on the tour. “Props to Rinderknech,” he said. “Since Wimbledon, he’s beaten top players, including Zverev and Medvedev. He’s going to be top 30 soon, well-deserved.”

One of the lighter topics discussed was Vacherot’s use of a Breathe Right strip during matches — a quirky detail that became a talking point. “I never wore one,” Roddick laughed, “but I absolutely would have if someone paid me enough money. And if you wear it once and win, you’ve got to keep going.”

The podcast co-host pointed out that Alcaraz had worn a similar strip at the Laver Cup and won a match, prompting a humorous exchange about superstition and performance aids in tennis.

Vacherot’s performance didn’t just earn him a Masters final; it reshaped his career trajectory. As highlighted in a clip from Jon Wertheim:

“He won and picked up momentum, kept going, and now he’s in the top 40 and over a million dollars richer. It’s transformative — not just financially, but in terms of access to main draws of events.”

Roddick explained why the timing of the breakthrough was ideal. With tournament entry lists locked six weeks in advance, a mid-season surge allows a player to enter qualifying for upcoming events, ensuring more opportunities to gain points and build ranking. “If he had done this at Rome or between the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, it could have disrupted his schedule,” Roddick said. “But now he can plan his 2026 season perfectly.”

The podcast also delved into Vacherot’s personal background. In an unusual twist, he faced his cousin in one of the rounds, and his coach, Benjamin Balleret — a former junior rival of Roddick’s — is also a relative. “Everyone’s related!” Roddick joked. “Watching him win, seeing him write ‘Grandma and Grandpa would be proud’ on camera — that’s the heart of it.”

Vacherot and Rinderknech also share a Texas A&M connection, highlighting the sometimes-overlooked pathway of college tennis as a stepping stone to the professional circuit. “I’m so used to players turning pro at 17,” Roddick said. “Seeing someone come through college and make this run is refreshing.”

Despite the extraordinary week, Roddick remained measured in assessing what comes next. “Every match he wins now counts for points,” he said. “He’s not grinding all week for a couple of shekels anymore — this is the real deal.”

Vacherot’s career stats also highlight the unusual trajectory: his career singles record stands at 18–9, with four of those wins coming in Davis Cup play for Monaco. “That’s wild,” Roddick said. “And he’s only 26. He played college tennis, didn’t have a huge schedule, and now this happens.”

Valentin Vacherot’s week in Shanghai is a story of opportunity meeting preparation. From an alternate in qualifying to the top 40, he combined talent, timing, and perhaps a little family magic to pull off a tournament that will be remembered for years. As Roddick summarized: “It’s just a perfect storm of everything coming together — and it’s beautiful to watch.”