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Monegasque tennis fans had reason to celebrate this weekend as local talent Valentin Vacherot delivered a stunning performance in the first round of the 2025 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Ranked 259th in the world, Vacherot pulled off a major upset by defeating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff — world number 49 and former Madrid Masters finalist — in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1. The match lasted just 58 minutes and marked the 26-year-old’s first main draw win at the tournament.
Granted a wild card for this year’s event, Vacherot made the most of the opportunity, fueled by an electric atmosphere on the Court des Princes. Overwhelmed by emotion after the match, the homegrown player struggled to put the moment into words. “It’s unbelievable… I just wanted to stay out there and soak it all in,” he said, visibly touched by the crowd’s support.
Even tournament president Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy was seen stepping away from official duties to cheer on the local favorite — a testament to just how much the moment meant to the Principality.
Vacherot’s journey back to form has been anything but easy. A shoulder injury in 2024 halted what looked to be a breakthrough year, just as he was nearing the Top 100. But in recent weeks, the right-hander has found his rhythm again. “I’ve been feeling stronger lately,” he shared after the match. “You never expect to beat a top-50 player like that, but something just clicked today.”
Up next, Vacherot could face a familiar challenge — a potential second-round clash with Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated him at the same stage last year. Regardless of what’s next, the crowd will be behind Monaco’s rising star every step of the way.