Victoria “Vicky” Mboko, an 18-year-old tennis sensation, has etched her name into the history books with a breathtaking victory at the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal. As a wildcard entrant, she defeated four Grand Slam champions; Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka to claim her first WTA title, captivating her home crowd and the global tennis world. Born to Congolese parents and raised in Canada, Mboko’s meteoric rise from world No. 333 to No. 24 in a single year is a story of grit, talent, and cultural pride. In a candid reflection, she shares how her family’s journey, her relentless drive, and the roar of Montreal’s fans propelled her to this career-defining moment. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, to Congolese parents Cyprien Mboko and Godee Kitadi, Victoria’s story is rooted in resilience. Her family left the Democratic Republic of Congo due to political turmoil, immigrating firstly to the United States before settling in Toronto when Victoria was just two months old. The youngest of four tennis-playing siblings, she picked up a racket at age three, inspired by her older siblings Gracia and Kevin, who played at the college level and now coaches in Toronto. “There is so much happening behind the scenes,” Mboko says of her family’s support. “My sister and brother keep me calm and comfortable.” Growing up admiring Serena Williams, Mboko’s Congolese heritage infuses her identity, blending African tenacity with Canadian opportunity. “I’m proud of where I come from,” she says, her poise reflecting a maturity beyond her years.
Mboko’s tennis journey began modestly, but her talent was undeniable. Training at Tennis Canada and later at the Justine Henin Academy in Belgium, she honed a powerful all-court game, marked by a 120-mph serve, a counterpunching backhand, and deft drop shots. Her early career was hampered by injuries, but 2025 marked her breakout. Starting the year ranked No. 333, she compiled a staggering 53-9 record, including five ITF titles in Martinique, Guadeloupe, Rome (USA), Manchester, and Porto. Her first WTA Tour-level win came at the Miami Open, where she defeated Camila Osorio, followed by a third-round appearance at the French Open and a second-round run at Wimbledon. The 2025 Canadian Open was Mboko’s coronation. Entering as a wildcard ranked No. 85, she faced a gauntlet of tennis titans. In the second round, she dispatched 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-2, 6-3, igniting the Montreal crowd. Her third-round upset of world No. 2 Coco Gauff in a swift 6-1, 6-4 match sent shockwaves through the tournament. “She’s a great ball striker and seems pretty positive out there,” Gauff said graciously post-match. Mboko’s semifinal against Elena Rybakina was a thriller as she saved a match point to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), becoming the first Canadian woman to defeat three Grand Slam champions in a single tournament during the Open Era The final against Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion and Mboko’s childhood idol, was a storybook climax. Despite dropping the first set 2-6 and battling a wrist injury, Mboko rallied to win 6-4, 6-1, converting eight of nine break points with relentless precision. As Osaka’s final shot sailed into the net, Mboko fell to her knees, tossing her racket in celebration as the sold-out IGA Stadium erupted. “When I had that winning moment and saw so many people standing up and cheering, it was surreal,” she said. The crowd’s support was so fervent that the chair umpire had to quiet them during points. Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated her on social media, and the CN Tower glowed red and white in her honor. Mboko’s victory made her the third Canadian woman to win the Canadian Open in the Open Era, following Faye Urban (1969) and Bianca Andreescu (2019), and the first to claim the title in Montreal. At 18, she’s the youngest champion in the tournament’s history and only the third wildcard to win a WTA 1000 event. Her feat of defeating four Grand Slam champions in one tournament echoes Serena Williams’ 1999 US Open run, placing her among tennis’ teenage elite. The $752,275 prize money nearly doubled her career earnings, but the real reward was her ranking surging from No. 85 to No. 24, securing her a seed at the upcoming US Open For Mboko, the moment was personal as much as professional. “I’ve always looked up to Naomi,” she said during the trophy presentation. “It’s incredible to play someone I admired as a kid.” Her Congolese-Canadian identity resonated deeply with fans, who saw her as a symbol of diversity and determination. Former Wimbledon finalist Genie Bouchard, who practiced with Mboko as a teen, wasn’t surprised: “She was smacking forehands and bowling me off the court at 14. She’s handling this like she’s done it a hundred times.” Mboko’s rise is a celebration of heritage and hustle. “I was super happy just to win my first round,” she admits, still processing her whirlwind week. As she prepares for the US Open, Mboko’s game, which is fueled by power, variety, and a cool head signals a bright future. “The most beautiful part of tennis is the moment you can’t explain,” she says, her smile as infectious as her talent. With Canada and the world watching, Vicky Mboko is just getting started.