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Vacherot reaches Japan Open semifinals after three-set Fils victory

by: Kayla Sauceda
04/10/2026

Valentin Vacherot maintained his impressive run at the Japan Open on Sunday with a victory over world No. 9 Arthur Fils in a three-set battle, securing his place in the semifinals.

Monaco’s tennis player found himself facing challenging positions throughout this quarterfinal, ultimately overcoming Fils 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in Tokyo.

Fils took control of the match early, breaking Vacherot and earning opportunities to seal the opening set at 5-3. However, Vacherot refused to let the set fall out of reach as he saved both set points before shifting the momentum in his favour. Vacherot broke as Fils served for the set, winning four consecutive games and turning the set around to finish 7-5.

The top-10 player responded in the second set, finding the break before serving for the set at 5-4. Although Vacherot continued applying pressure, Fils held onto his lead to end the set 6-4 and force a decisive third set.

The final set found Vacherot chasing the match once again as Fils took a 4-2 lead, leaving little room for error. Vacherot responded by recovering the break, then taking control towards the match’s end, winning four consecutive games for the second time in the quarterfinal. With Fils serving to stay alive in the competition at 4-5, Vacherot earned match point and completed the victory to secure his position in the final four.

This was the second career match between Vacherot and Fils, marking Vacherot’s first win over the top-10 player. This victory marks a significant milestone for Vacherot as he has now reached his first ATP 500 semifinal, having previously reached the semifinals at the Shanghai Masters in 2025 and the Monte-Carlo Masters this year.

Vacherot will now face Czech world No. 23 Jiri Lehecka for a place in the Japan Open final on Monday. The two met in 2025, when Vacherot won 6-1, 6-3 in Paris. A win would send Vacherot into his first ATP 500 final ahead of his return to Shanghai to defend his title.

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Photo credit: Groupe Michel Pastor

Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins launches interactive experience for kids

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Monaco’s Museum of Stamps and Coins has launched an interactive experience, inviting children to discover the stories hidden within the museum’s collections.

Offered since 30th September, this new activity allows young visitors to become explorers, using a booklet filled with puzzles, games, and challenges to guide them through the museum. Rather than simply observing, children are encouraged to search and investigate collections as they discover the history of stamps and coins, how they’re made, figures who have shaped Monaco’s history, and some treasures that have been preserved by the museum.

The experience was created for children aged eight to fifteen to complete independently, while visitors aged six and over can participate alongside an adult. At the end of the experience, a surprise awaits young explorers.

The activity costs €5, and to mark its launch, the museum is offering one free adult admission with each children’s booklet purchased until 2 November. Adult admission otherwise costs €3. The Museum of Stamps and Coins is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm, giving families the opportunity to discover the museum’s collections through a new, interactive experience.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson to chair Sportel Awards 2026 jury

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson will return to the Principality this month, chairing the jury for the 2026 Sportel Awards.

The Brazilian footballer played for AS Monaco from 1994 to 1997, and now takes on a new role as President of the seven-member jury responsible for selecting this year’s standout works in sports broadcasting, imagery, and storytelling.

Anderson had a successful career during his time in France, winning three French league titles and finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer three times. His return brings a familiar face to Monaco for an event celebrating the relationship between sport and media for over thirty years. Joining Anderson on the jury will be figures from both sides of that relationship.

Elite sport will be represented by World and European handball champion and Olympic silver medallist Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic, Cameroonian international footballer and Champion for Peace with Monaco-based Peace and Sport Nicolas Nkoulou, and Monegasque open-water swimmer Lisa Pou, who recently claimed bronze in the 10km at the 2025 World Championships.

Enduro and Freeride mountain biker and filmmaker Kilian Bron will join them, alongside award-winning sports photographer Catherine Steenkeste, and Georges Mohammed-Chérif, President and Chief Creative Officer of creative agency Buzzman.

Bron will represent the French National Olympic and Sports Committee on the jury, while Pou will represent the Monaco Olympic Committee.

MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF SPORTING STORYTELLING

Created in 1990, the Sportel Awards recognise productions and images capturing some of the most memorable moments in sport. The programme includes the Golden Podiums, honouring directors and producers behind outstanding sporting sequences, as well as the Renaud de Laborderie Book Prize, recognising a significant publication dedicated to sport.

The jurors will now review this year’s entries and determine which will receive the competition’s honours. The winners will be revealed in Monaco on 19th October as the Sportel Awards ceremony takes place at 7pm at the Grimaldi Forum.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Valentin Vacherot fights back to defeat Tsitsipas in Tokyo

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot continues his successful run in Tokyo, producing a comeback victory over former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday, battling from a set down to secure his place in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open.

This victory over the Greek came 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, continuing his run after defeating Alexander Blockx in his previous match. Tsitsipas took early control of the match, breaking Vacherot in the opening set to finish 6-4. The second set brought further challenges as Vacherot fell a break behind as Tsitsipas looked to secure a victory in the opening two sets.

Vacherot proved he would not go down without a fight as he recovered, forcing the set into a tiebreak. With the possibility of elimination on the line, Vacherot remained composed, taking the tiebreak 7-5 and forcing a deciding third set.

By the final set, Vacherot found his momentum, securing a decisive break to move ahead 3-2. Although Tsitsipas remained within reach throughout, Vacherot protected his lead to complete the comeback with a 6-4 final set.

Statistically speaking, the match proved competitive between the two players. Vacherot delivered seven aces compared to Tsitsipas’ nine, while both converted two break points. When his opportunities came, Vacherot proved his effectiveness, converting two of five break points compared to Tsitsipas’ two from eight.

FILS AWAITS IN THE QUARTERFINALS

This encounter marked the first meeting between the two and Vacherot’s first victory over the Greek, sending him into the final eight remaining in Tokyo. Vacherot will now face France’s Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals.

In their only previous match, a closely contested three-set battle ended in victory for Fils in Miami. Vacherot will now look to even the score and secure victory over the world No.9 to earn a place in the semifinals.

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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

Valentin Vacherot advances in Tokyo after hard-fought victory over Blockx

by: Kayla Sauceda
01/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot has advanced to the Round of 16 at the Japan Open in Tokyo after overcoming Alexander Blockx in a hard-fought battle.

Seeded eighth in the ATP 500 tournament, Vacherot secured a 7-6(2), 7-6(4) victory on Wednesday 30 September, overcoming Belgian world No. 27 Blockx.

Throughout the match’s entirety, neither player was able to establish a comfortable advantage, with both sets ultimately decided by tiebreaks. Vacherot proved his composure in the moments that mattered most, dominating the opening tiebreak before closing out the second to secure his place in the next round.

Vacherot’s serve played a key role in this victory, as he landed 76% of his first serves and won 78% of the points behind them. He also saved seven of the nine break points he faced throughout the match.

The second set brought additional challenges as his opponent created four set-point opportunities at 5-4. However, Vacherot successfully fought these off, eventually forcing another tiebreak to complete the match in two sets.

TSITSIPAS AWAITS IN ROUND OF  16

Vacherot, currently ranked world No. 18, will now face former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Round of 16 on Friday 2 October. The Greek came through qualifying before defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the opening round of the main draw.

Friday’s match will mark the first career meeting between Vacherot and Tsitsipas, allowing Monaco’s talent to showcase his level as he looks to extend his run in Tokyo. The tournament also serves as Vacherot’s final stop on the tour before returning to Shanghai, where he will defend the Masters 1000 title that delivered his breakthrough last year.

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Photo credit: Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

Rokethon’s third edition brings animal welfare and adoption to the heart of Monaco

by: Kayla Sauceda
28/09/2026

Animal lovers and their four-legged friends came together in Fontvieille on Sunday 27th September as Rokethon returned for its third edition, transforming the Bit Top into a celebration for animals, responsible pet ownership, and adoption.

Organised by the Rokethon organisation, the annual event brought together families, pet owners, animal welfare organisations, and dogs of all shapes and sizes for a day centred around a shared commitment to improving the lives of animals.

Throughout the day, visitors were able to discover animals looking for homes and meet the associations protecting them, alongside a full range of activities from agility and entertainment to art and photography.

A four-legged participant at the third edition of Rokethon in Fontvieille. Photo credits: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

At the heart of the event was Rokethon’s symbolic walk around the Bit Top, designed to bring everyone together behind the cause of animal welfare.

For Rokethon President Sylvia Sermenghi, however, the event is intended to be more than simply a gathering for animal lovers.

“It’s like a big celebration of animals. That is how I want it to feel,” Sermenghi told Monaco Life. “I don’t want something really commercial, because that means we will be making money on the back of the animals. I don’t want that. I want to help animals.”

That mindset extends to the association’s approach to animal welfare more broadly. Sermenghi believes improving the lives of animals requires not only financial support, but a better understanding of their needs and behaviours.

“Helping animals is not only about providing financial support; it also requires love, compassion and knowledge,” she said.

The challenges surrounding animal welfare have become increasingly important as shelters face growing demand and the cost of caring for a pet continues to rise. Sermenghi acknowledged the financial realities facing owners.

Rather than judging those who struggle, she said greater awareness is needed around what responsible ownership entails and the commitment involved in welcoming an animal into a home.

Participants come together for Rokethon’s symbolic walk around the Chapiteau de Fontvieille. Photo credits: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life

EDUCATION AT THE HEART OF ROKETHON’S FUTURE

Looking beyond the annual event, Sermenghi hopes Rokethon can play a greater role in shaping attitudes towards animals in Monaco, beginning with younger generations.

Among the association’s ambitions is greater animal welfare education in schools, teaching children not only how to treat animals, but also to recognise and speak up when they witness mistreatment. Sermenghi believes that animals should be understood as an integral part of the environment that children are taught to protect.

She also hopes to work more closely with the Monegasque government on animal welfare initiatives, with an ambition to make Monaco an example in the way animals are treated.

“I want to change some little things for the animals,” she said. “And make an example of Monaco for the animals.”

With its third edition now complete, Rokethon continues to develop from an annual gathering into a wider effort to encourage adoption, responsible ownership, and a greater understanding of animal welfare across the Principality.

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Photo credit: Kayla Sauceda / Monaco Life