2025 up to now has been the yr of Victoria Mboko and, by all indications, she is simply getting warmed up.
The 18-year-old, who was born in North Carolina however moved to Toronto as a small youngster and grew up watching tennis at Sobeys Stadium, has been lengthy tapped as the following Canadian star and this yr she is actually residing as much as her potential. She opened up the season on a 22-match successful streak, successful 4 titles in a row with out even dropping a set, together with one as a qualifier.
Her 20 consecutive main-draw match wins had been probably the most by a Canadian girl for the reason that ITF started protecting such data in 1994, breaking Rebecca Marino’s document of 18. On account of her sizzling begin to the season, Mboko leapt into the High 200 of the WTA rankings for the primary time and is at the moment the fifth-highest-ranked Canadian girl in singles at No. 162.
Reminder, she is simply 18 years outdated.
For followers who may not be as aware of Mboko, there’s a purpose for that. Over the previous couple of years, accidents have held her again. However now that she is wholesome in 2025, the teenager is displaying the world what she will do.
Final Friday, the Torontonian spoke to the media and defined that “I didn’t actually do quite a bit final yr. I used to be coming off accidents. I used to be coaching in Europe. I used to be actually far-off from house, I didn’t actually get lots of alternatives to play near house or lots of tournaments typically. So once I began taking part in this yr, I had a reasonably busy schedule. I used to be actually pumped to play lots of matches and was actually excited simply to get on the courtroom and simply play freely. New 12 months, clear slate. I’m glad it’s been going effectively and hopefully, I can proceed doing effectively. To this point so good.”
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Studying methods to deal with success is a part of skilled growth for younger athletes. Successful is nice, however it is usually vital to remain targeted. It’s honest to say that Mboko has dealt with it effectively up to now in 2025.
“When all of that [the winning streak] was occurring, I wasn’t tremendous stunned as a result of each match I play, I need to win. Wanting again on it, to have achieved that, it’s form of stunning for me. I’d have by no means thought that I used to be going do one thing like that,” mentioned the 18-year-old. “Within the first two months, I felt like I had lots of confidence with my recreation once I had the win streak. I felt very assured and comfy with my recreation. So to proceed like that was actually actually, actually enjoyable and very nice, and it gave me a greater feeling of the place I’m with my recreation.”
When she lastly misplaced within the first spherical of an ITF W50 in France, she instantly responded the next week by selecting up title No. 5 at a W75 in Porto, Portugal, the most important title of her profession so far.
“It’s not potential to win each single match that you simply’re going to play. I really feel like I used to be in a position to recuperate shortly, as a result of I put in my head that ‘yeah, I had a superb begin to the to the yr, however it’s fairly inconceivable to win each single match,’” defined Mboko. “So for me to recuperate from that, I brushed it off a little bit bit. I’m like, ‘You understand what? It’s a brand new week, simply play, simply strive your hardest and intention for the title.’ That’s what I do each different week, I attempt to win. So to win in Portugal was actually thrilling. It was a extremely good feeling.”
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It has been such a profitable begin to the season that Mboko really had a tough time getting a few of her trophies house.
“The primary two tournaments I received, I used to be getting back from the Caribbean, and [the trophies] are fairly huge plates. So to get them by the airport, with safety, they’re not very good after they see huge trophies or huge items of steel like that. So when it got here time to deliver them by airport safety and customs, particularly occurring a world flight, it wasn’t simple in any respect. For my dad as effectively. I met up with him in Montreal and he didn’t have a giant baggage with him, so he needed to deliver them by hand.”
As of Mar. 17, Mboko’s 25 main-draw match wins and 5 titles each lead the ITF Tour in 2025. Together with qualifying she is 27-1 in singles, with a 53-4 document in units. For good measure, she additionally received her first two doubles tournaments of the yr too.
That unbelievable begin earned her a main-draw wildcard into the Miami Open, which will likely be her first fundamental draw on the WTA 1000 stage.
“I used to be so excited,” mentioned Mboko of getting the Miami wildcard. “It’s a 1000, proper beneath the Grand Slams. I used to be grateful for the chance that I acquired. To play in Miami too, it’s so enjoyable. I’m actually completely happy, and I used to be actually excited.”
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When Mboko spoke to the media on Friday, the draw had not but been launched however she was requested who she wish to play.
“I’m probably not considering of anybody particularly, however perhaps even taking part in a High 10 participant, no matter who it’s, could be such a giant alternative. You get to showcase what you are able to do. I don’t assume individuals know me right here, so hopefully, once I play, I can actually present what I deliver to the desk and hopefully come out with the win.”
She received’t fairly get her want however might get a high-ranked opponent fairly shortly in Miami. The primary High 10 participant Mboko might play is Madison Keys within the fourth spherical however she might have a high-ranked opponent even earlier. She performs Camila Osorio within the first spherical and a victory would arrange a conflict with World No. 11 Paula Badosa.
Mboko made her skilled debut in July 2021, a month earlier than her fifteenth birthday. Lower than a yr later, she reached her first skilled last, a W25 in Monastir, Tunisia, and three months after that picked up her first title at age 15, successful on house soil in Saskatoon. A month after that, she made her first and, previous to the upcoming Miami Open, solely look in a WTA Tour fundamental draw on the 250 occasion in Granby, QC, dropping to her veteran countrywoman Marino.
Even within the midst of all this early success in 2025, Mboko is aware of that there’s nonetheless room to develop.
“[The streak] did do quite a bit for my confidence however on the similar time, I additionally wished to work on issues. My recreation’s not good. Not everybody’s recreation shouldn’t be going to be 100% good. It made me mentally more durable with myself, and I really feel clearly good about myself. However on the finish of the day, I additionally need to polish a little bit bit extra. As I’m going up within the stage, it’s going to get tougher, and my weaknesses are going to get exploited much more. So preserve bettering is essential for me.”
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In addition to the Miami wildcard, Mboko additionally acquired the nod to hitch Workforce Canada on the Billie Jean King Cup for the primary time on the upcoming qualifiers in April.
“After I acquired chosen to play for Workforce Canada, I used to be tremendous excited. It’s a giant honour to play for the nation and particularly taking part in overseas in your nation. It’s a brilliant nice feeling, carrying the flag in your again. Being part of this, it’s tremendous uplifting and to play alongside such nice gamers like Rebecca and Marina, I’m actually excited for this and I really feel like I’m going to study quite a bit.”
It will be a giant month, and hopefully profession, for the younger Canadian.
