Shanghai Masters trophy blunder after finalist pleaded for help

Tennis fans witnessed rare scenes at the Shanghai Masters after one finalist was left pleading for help.

By Tom Sunderland · Daily Express

Published: Saturday, 17 October 2026 at 5:00 AM

Key Things to Know

Arthur Rinderknech fell off the stage due to severe cramp during the 2025 Shanghai Masters trophy ceremony.
His cousin and opponent, Valentin Vacherot, called for immediate help before organizers provided Rinderknech a chair.
Vacherot defeated Rinderknech 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to become the lowest-ranked Masters 1000 winner in history.

The Story in 60 Seconds

As the 2026 Shanghai Masters concludes, the tournament recalled the unusual drama from the 2025 final when runner-up Arthur Rinderknech fell off the presentation stage due to severe cramp. Rinderknech had just lost the final 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to his cousin, Valentin Vacherot, who quickly called for medical help from organizers as panic briefly spread through the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena.

Organizers provided Rinderknech with a chair to recover while Vacherot delivered his acceptance speech. Ranked 204th at the time, Vacherot became the lowest-ranked player to win an ATP Masters 1000 event, while Rinderknech was forced to withdraw from the 2026 edition.

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Shanghai Masters trophy blunder after finalist pleaded for help

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