Family rivalries in tennis have always carried an unmatched depth—the kind of tension that statistics can’t capture. The Shanghai Masters final between Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech brought that spirit roaring back. It wasn’t the first time kinship met competition, and certainly not the most famous. From Venus and Serena Williams’ timeless Wimbledon wars to the McEnroes’ rare encounters, tennis history is rich with stories of shared bloodlines fighting for glory.

The Shanghai final, however, was the first ATP final to involve two members of the same family since John and Patrick McEnroe in 1991 and the first ATP Masters 1000 final between relatives. But before shifting our focus to this epic battle between two cousins in Shanghai, let’s take a look at some of the top family finals in tennis.

5. Gene Mayer vs. Sandy Mayer

A few decades ago, another family rivalry unfolded quietly in Stockholm. In 1981, Gene Mayer and Sandy Mayer, two American brothers, faced off in the final of the Stockholm Open. Gene, known for his steady precision, took on Sandy, the older and more aggressive sibling. They had won the French Open doubles title in 1979 and had played each other twice in singles before. But the Stockholm Open was the first time that they had met in an ATP final.

In this match, Gene prevailed 6-4, 6-2, but the handshakes at the net told the real story: competition could divide them for a match, but brotherhood always united them afterward. That final remains one of tennis’ most understated yet beautiful reminders—the toughest opponent you’ll ever face might be someone who grew up on the same backyard court.

4. Emilio Sanchez vs. Javier Sanchez

Almost six years later, the Madrid Open gave birth to a previously unseen final: a match between Emilio Sanchez and Javier Sanchez, heirs of a long-lasting line in tennis. In that 1987 Madrid Open final, Emilio defeated Javier by 6-3,3-6,6-2 and took home the title.

After this epic duel, he shared his thoughts about the match, saying, “He started the match well, but I mostly had stomach problems. He took advantage of that, but I shouldn’t have lost the second set. He shouldn’t have won a single set.” He had a 10-2 record against Javier Sanchez.

3. John McEnroe vs Patrick McEnroe

One was already a legend, while the other was still carving his path. When John McEnroe faced his younger brother Patrick in the Chicago final in 1991, it felt like an exhibition of contrasts—John’s volcanic fire against Patrick’s calm consistency.

The brothers’ differing temperaments made for a fascinating clash. John’s experience prevailed, but Patrick’s composure earned praise. John McEnroe won that match by 3-6,6-2,6-4 and their post-match embrace reflected mutual respect—proof that even in families, rivalry can be an expression of love and learning.

2. Venus Williams vs Serena Williams

Few stories in sports history compare to Venus and Serena Williams—two sisters from Compton who conquered the most prestigious stages in tennis. Together, they have won 122 singles titles, including their historic 30 Grand Slam title triumphs.

But when it comes to the H2H, they have played against each other 31 times, and 12 of those matches were finals. Serena had the edge against Venus in their H2H record (19-12), but each of their matches always gifted fans a full package of pure entertainment. They have shared the stage in nine Grand Slam final matches, with a stretch of four consecutive major tournaments where they reached every final in 2002 and 2003.

Previously, while talking about playing against Venus Williams, Serena said, “She’s the toughest player I’ve ever played and the best person I know. It’s going against your best friend and, at the same time, going against the greatest competitor for me in women’s tennis.”

What was this rivalry like for the elder sister, though? In 2022, during an interview with Glamour UK, Venus said, “It’s more of a motivation, and when I see her doing great, it’s my success. It’s also motivating for me and lets me know I also can do that, and that’s how you have to look at other people’s success…Serena has taught me so much, and there’s so much you can learn just from being around greatness, and that’s what she is—the greatest ever.”

1. Valentin Vacherot vs Arthur Rinderknech

Fast forward to 2025, and tennis once again gave fans a storyline straight out of fiction: Valentin Vacherot defeated his cousin Arthur Rinderknech by 4-6,6-3,6-3 in the final of the Shanghai Masters. 

Vacherot, the rising underdog, stunned the tennis world with a fearless run, while Rinderknech arrived as the experienced campaigner seeking his biggest title. The match was tense, emotional, and filled with unspoken understanding—each knowing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, and even quirks. 

When Vacherot triumphed, the handshake at the net carried the warmth of family—a quiet nod between two men who’d just shared a moment neither will forget. They sat on the bench together after the match and had a chat just like when they were kids, perhaps. Doesn’t get more wholesome than this, right?

While sharing his thoughts about playing against his cousin, Valentin Vacherot revealed, “He (Rinderknech) was starting his career in 2018, one of his first ITF tournaments after finishing college. I was still in college. I was just wanting to train and went to a few ITFs and ended up playing him in the quarter-finals at one. That was fun.”

He further added, “Little did we know that the next time we would play would be here. I did wonder a little if I came back up in the rankings, when would be the first time we would play each other and our family would have a big laugh and a huge moment. To be in a final at a Masters 1000 final is amazing.”

Since the event’s inauguration in 2009, they are just the second and third players ranked outside the ATP top 20 to reach the final at the Shanghai Masters. What a moment it was for these two!

Vacherot said it’s really tough that there has to be one loser today, but at the same time he signed the camera with a heartwarming message, saying, “Grandpa and Grandma would be proud.” He wished there were two winners, but unfortunately, there’s only one. What are your thoughts on these epic family finals in tennis, though?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

Know more

Edited by

Shrabana Sengupta