Becker criticizes the Shanghai final: "Having Rinderknech against Vacherot…"

Valentin Vacherot's historic victory in Shanghai was one of the best stories of the year. But for Boris Becker, it's a wake-up call for the ATP.

Valentin Vacherot, ranked 204th in the world at the start of Shanghai, defied all odds to win his very first Masters 1000. But while the story had what it takes to thrill tennis fans' hearts, it didn't appeal to Boris Becker at all.

In a podcast with Andrea Petkovic, the former champion expressed his complete skepticism:

"I don't think it was a final that had a strong viewership. Maybe Medvedev and Djokovic saved the day in the semifinals, but Rinderknech against Vacherot in the final... The ATP isn't happy when the top players aren't there.

All the Top 10 players who withdrew will receive a smaller bonus at the end of the year. It's not ideal for sponsors, nor for fans. The Masters tournaments expect the top ten to play, at least until the quarterfinals. It's not always realistic, but it's business," he concluded.