Andy Roddick: "What Vacherot did is not a fluke"
When the two global tennis figures, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, withdrew from the Shanghai tournament, no one would have bet on Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world. And yet, it was he who seized the opportunity.
In his podcast "Served with Andy Roddick," the former world number one shared his analysis of this unexpected triumph:
"When Carlos Alcaraz decided not to go to Shanghai after his victory in Tokyo and Jannik Sinner withdrew due to cramps, everything opened up. It was a favorable draw for the bold. His tournament was incredible. It was truly beautiful to watch. So many matches in just a few days, real marathons.
What Vacherot did is not a fluke. It takes mental strength and a lot of physical endurance. From now on, every match he won earned him points. And he's only 26 years old. He can now perfectly plan his 2026 season."
Finally, the former 2003 US Open champion did not fail to acknowledge Arthur Rinderknech, Vacherot's opponent in the final: "He beat Zverev and Medvedev. That's no small feat. Since Wimbledon, he has been truly formidable."
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