Victoria Mboko Soars: Canadian Tennis Phenom Dominates French Open and Canadian Open
18-year-old’s meteoric rise captivates fans, fueled by audacious strategy and unwavering self-belief.
The tennis world is abuzz as 18-year-old Victoria Mboko, a burgeoning talent of Canadian-Congolese heritage, has exploded onto the scene with a series of stunning performances.
From Roland-Garros to Montreal: A Rapid Ascent
After an impressive debut at the French Open, reaching the third round, Mboko has backed it up with a semifinal berth at the WTA 1,000 Canadian Open in Montreal. Her journey is marked by a unique psychological tactic: downplaying the significance of her matches.
“Kind of just play it down,” she explained. “Pretend like you’re playing somewhere else, that you’re not at a Grand Slam. It’s another clay-court tournament. That way, I don’t put as much pressure on myself and the points. I let loose and I kind of go for my shots a little bit more.”
—Victoria Mboko
This “make-believe” approach seems to be a winning formula, placing her in contention with Canada’s decorated tennis elite, including Bianca Andreescu and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Her recent victories include a notable upset over two-time major champion Coco Gauff in Montreal.
A Family’s Foundation and Immigrant Success
Mboko‘s rise mirrors the success of many Canadian athletes from immigrant backgrounds. Bianca Andreescu, now a mentor to Mboko, emphasized Canada’s multicultural strength.
“We know Canada is a very multicultural country and we are very accepting of everyone,” Andreescu said. “I think it’s a beautiful thing that we’re all from different different cultures, different backgrounds, but at the day’s end Tennis Canada really has built this program in the acceptance of everybody, no matter who you are.”
—Bianca Andreescu
The youngest of four tennis-playing siblings, Mboko has amassed an impressive 49-9 record this year. This remarkable win-loss ratio is a stark contrast to her previous struggles with knee injuries, which saw her ranked 350th at the end of last year.
Unwavering Focus and a Winning Mentality
Mboko‘s dedication to routine and a singular focus on winning were evident in her matches. Her brother, Kevin Mboko, a tennis coach himself, noted her intense pre-match mindset.
“She looked at us and said, ‘I got to win today.’ We were trying to bring her down a little bit, telling her that it’s all right, to just go out there and have fun, enjoy the experience. She was like ‘No, I got to win.’”
—Kevin Mboko
This intense focus allowed her to overcome challenging conditions, including rain and wind, without faltering. Her family’s efforts to shield her from external pressures have been crucial in maintaining her composure.
Belief Forged in Competition and Resilience
Her older sister, Gracia Mboko, recalled a childhood tournament where a 9-year-old Victoria, despite losing 0-6, 0-6 to her, exhibited a winner’s mentality.
“It’s that belief in yourself that the very top of the one percent have,” Gracia Mboko stated. “It’s: ‘not only should I win this match, I’m going to go do it.’ And then she does it.”
—Gracia Mboko, Consultant in Private Equity
Despite a difficult end to 2024, marked by losses and injury rehabilitation at Justine Henin’s academy, Mboko embraced a “new year, new me” mentality. She has developed a versatile game, incorporating drop shots and slices, with a powerful 120 mph serve, drawing inspiration from her childhood idol, Serena Williams.
The experience of facing Coco Gauff in Rome, though a loss, provided invaluable lessons. Mboko learned to manage her emotions and stay present in the moment, a crucial adjustment that has served her well in her subsequent victories.
As Victoria Mboko continues her remarkable run, her journey from relative obscurity to the brink of major contention is a testament to her talent, mental fortitude, and the unwavering support of her family.
