2025 to date 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 baby and grew up watching tennis at Sobeys Stadium, has been lengthy tapped as the following Canadian star and this yr she is really dwelling 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 essentially the most by a Canadian girl for the reason that ITF started conserving such information in 1994, breaking Rebecca Marino’s report of 18. Because of her scorching begin to the season, Mboko leapt into the High 200 of the WTA rankings for the primary time and is at present 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Reminder, she is simply 18 years outdated.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 conversant in 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 exhibiting the world what she will do.
Final Friday, the Torontonian spoke to the media and defined that “I didn’t actually do so much final yr. I used to be coming off accidents. I used to be coaching in Europe. I used to be actually far-off from dwelling, I didn’t actually get a number of alternatives to play near dwelling or a number of tournaments usually. So once I began enjoying this yr, I had a fairly busy schedule. I used to be actually pumped to play a number of matches and was actually excited simply to get on the courtroom and simply play freely. New Yr, clear slate. I’m glad it’s been going effectively and hopefully, I can proceed doing effectively. Up to now so good.”
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Studying easy methods to deal with success is a part of skilled improvement for younger athletes. Successful is nice, however it’s also vital to remain targeted. It’s truthful to say that Mboko has dealt with it effectively to date in 2025.
“When all of that [the winning streak] was taking place, 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 type of shocking 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 a number of confidence with my sport once I had the win streak. I felt very assured and cozy with my sport. So to proceed like that was truthfully actually, actually enjoyable and very nice, and it gave me a greater feeling of the place I’m with my sport.”
When she lastly misplaced within the first spherical of an ITF W50 in France, she instantly responded the next week by choosing up title No. 5 at a W75 in Porto, Portugal, the largest title of her profession thus far.
“It’s not doable to win each single match that you just’re going to play. I really feel like I used to be capable of get well rapidly, as a result of I put in my head that ‘yeah, I had an excellent begin to the to the yr, however it’s fairly unattainable to win each single match,’” defined Mboko. “So for me to get well from that, I brushed it off a bit of bit. I’m like, ‘You already know 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 truly had a tough time getting a few of her trophies dwelling.
“The primary two tournaments I gained, I used to be getting back from the Caribbean, and [the trophies] are fairly massive plates. So to get them by the airport, with safety, they’re not very good after they see massive trophies or massive items of steel like that. So when it got here time to deliver them by airport safety and customs, particularly occurring a global 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 report in units. For good measure, she additionally gained her first two doubles tournaments of the yr too.
That unimaginable begin earned her a main-draw wildcard into the Miami Open, which will likely be her first predominant draw on the WTA 1000 stage.
“I used to be so excited,” mentioned Mboko of getting the Miami wildcard. “It’s a 1000, proper under the Grand Slams. I used to be grateful for the chance that I obtained. To play in Miami too, it’s so enjoyable. I’m actually comfortable, 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 not likely pondering of anybody particularly, however possibly even enjoying a High 10 participant, no matter who it’s, can be such a giant alternative. You get to showcase what you are able to do. I don’t assume folks 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 gained’t fairly get her want however may get a high-ranked opponent fairly rapidly in Miami. The primary High 10 participant Mboko may play is Madison Keys within the fourth spherical however she may 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 ultimate, a W25 in Monastir, Tunisia, and three months after that picked up her first title at age 15, successful on dwelling soil in Saskatoon. A month after that, she made her first and, previous to the upcoming Miami Open, solely look in a WTA Tour predominant draw on the 250 occasion in Granby, QC, shedding 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 so much for my confidence however on the identical time, I additionally needed to work on issues. My sport’s not good. Not everybody’s sport will not 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 bit of bit extra. As I’m going up within the stage, it’s going to get more durable, and my weaknesses are going to get exploited much more. So maintain bettering is essential for me.”
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In addition to the Miami wildcard, Mboko additionally obtained the nod to hitch Group Canada on the Billie Jean King Cup for the primary time on the upcoming qualifiers in April.
“After I obtained chosen to play for Group Canada, I used to be tremendous excited. It’s a giant honour to play for the nation and particularly enjoying overseas to 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 be taught so much.”
It’s going to be a giant month, and hopefully profession, for the younger Canadian.
