Victoria Mboko’s Promising Start in 2025
Victoria Mboko kicked off 2025 by competing in a minor tournament in Martinique, France. The 19-year-old, currently ranked No. 333 globally, achieved a clean sweep in all five of her matches, earning a total of $3,935.
Setting Goals and Exceeding Expectations
Reflecting on her journey, Mboko shared, “I didn’t really hold that much expectation for myself. My initial goal was simply to qualify for Grand Slam events.” She acknowledged, “I kind of exceeded what I thought I would have done.”
Quarterfinal Success at Adelaide International
On Tuesday, Mboko advanced to the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International after a thrilling victory against Anna Kalinskaya, with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (6). In a match lasting nearly two-and-a-half hours, she saved two match points, and will next face the winner of the match between No. 2 seed and defending Australian Open champion Madison Keys and qualifier Tereza Valentova.
A Rapid Ascent in the Rankings
In addition to qualifying for last year’s Roland Garros, Mboko also won two matches in the main draw and successfully made it through the qualifiers at Wimbledon, winning her opening match there as well. By the time she reached the US Open, she was ranked within the Top 25 and received a seed in the main draw.
Remarkable Ten-Month Journey
In a remarkable ten-month period, she secured the WTA 1000 title in Montreal, her home country, and was later crowned the champion in Hong Kong. This led to an impressive year-end ranking of No. 18, making her one of only two teenagers in the WTA Tour’s Top 25, alongside Mirra Andreeva.
Looking Forward with Maturity
Despite her recent breakthroughs, Mboko remains focused on the future. She stated, “It’s important for me to view each new week as another opportunity.” Her thoughts reflect a surprising maturity for her age, expressing a desire to stay grounded and consistent in her performance.
A Unique Path to Tennis Success
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to parents from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mboko moved to Toronto when she was just two months old. With siblings who played college tennis, she began playing at four years old. She recalled how winning the Montreal title radically altered perceptions of her abilities, saying, “Honestly, I wanted to win one or two rounds going into the tournament. But the support of the fans was incredible.”
