Valentin Vacherot joined Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena when he was the 30th seed at Australian Open 2026 – his first seeding at a Grand Slam tournament. This was staggering, because just over three months earlier, the Monégasque was ranked outside the top 200. Everything changed in Shanghai, where Vacherot qualified for the main draw, then upset five consecutive seeded opponents — including Novak Djokovic in the semifinals — to reach his first ATP Masters final. There, he faced cousin Arthur Rinderknech, and won that match too, to become one of the sport’s unlikeliest champions in just his seventh tour-level event. The 27-year-old has adjusted impressively to his new position in the game and has continued winning, recently reaching the fourth round in Miami to rise to the brink of the top 20. As he recounts his story, we learn about his talented tennis family, his journey through the US college system, and his connection with the Monte Carlo Masters – a tournament he would love to win more than a Grand Slam title.

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Host handles:
@Viv_Christie
@MattyAT

Valentin Vacherot joined Matt and Viv in Pod Laver Arena when he was the 30th seed at Australian Open 2026 &ndash; his first seeding at a Grand Slam tournament. This was staggering, because just over three months earlier, the Mon&eacute;gasque was ranked outside the top 200. Everything changed in Shanghai, where Vacherot qualified for the main draw, then upset five consecutive seeded opponents &mdash; including Novak Djokovic in the semifinals &mdash; to reach his first ATP Masters final. There, he faced cousin Arthur Rinderknech, and won that match too, to become one of the sport&rsquo;s unlikeliest champions in just his seventh tour-level event. The 27-year-old has adjusted impressively to his new position in the game and has continued winning, recently reaching the fourth round in Miami to rise to the brink of the top 20. As he recounts his story, we learn about his talented tennis family, his journey through the US college system, and his connection with the Monte Carlo Masters &ndash; a tournament he would love to win more than a Grand Slam title.
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The Sit-Down brings you in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures from the world of tennis. From players to coaches, analysts, and tennis legends, each episode delves into their stories, revealing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of tennis, The Sit-Down brings you conversations you won’t hear anywhere else. Tune in every week for an authentic, unfiltered chat with the personalities who’ve helped shape the sport of tennis.

The Sit-Down brings you in-depth interviews with some of the most influential figures from the world of tennis. From players to coaches, analysts, and tennis legends, each episode delves into their stories, revealing personal anecdotes and unique perspectives on the game. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to explore the world of tennis, The Sit-Down brings you conversations you won&rsquo;t hear anywhere else. Tune in every week for an authentic, unfiltered chat with the personalities who&rsquo;ve helped shape the sport of tennis.

The Sit-Down 

Valentin Vacherot: "I'd rather win Monte Carlo than a Grand Slam"

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/27f779b6-6a53-412d-b75c-b4200051f59b/transcript