Victoria Mboko was thrust into stardom after winning the National Bank Open in August, and the rising star has shared the one thing that’s surprised her the most from the fame.
Mboko’s WTA 1000 win came after she sensationally defeated Naomi Osaka in the final in front of a home crowd.
The Canadian rushed up the rankings and currently sits at World No. 23 in the WTA rankings, with a genuine chance of cracking the top 20 before the year is out.
Mboko’s win caused a vast amount of adjustment for the teenager and she’s disclosed what surprised her most following the landmark win.
Victoria Mboko is stunned when she’s recognised after WTA 1000 win
Mboko was the story of the tournament in Montreal as she dispatched four former Grand Slam winners to win the WTA 1000 tournament.
“I could say my life has changed quite a bit,” said Mboko to Tennis Canada about winning the National Bank Open in August.
“I’d say I get recognised a lot more in public than I normally do. And every time I do get recognised, it comes a bit of a surprise to me,” she explained. “I get kind of that feeling like, oh, how do you know me?”
Nevertheless, the rising star is living her dream as she’s suddenly made a splash in the sport she’s been playing since she was a child.
“I’ve just been loving every moment of it and enjoying the process more than anything,” she explained. “I’m going to new countries, having new experiences, playing new tournaments, so I don’t have any expectations.”
“It takes a lot of hard work, determination. I always stay true to myself, and I know the sky’s the limit, so I think it’s possible to be at that highest level. I’m working towards that goal and improving every day.”
Mboko is currently playing at the China Open, where she is set to face Anastasia Potapova in the round of 64.
Why Montreal win a ‘huge boost’ for Victoria Mboko
Mboko’s arrival into the mainstream was cemented by her appearance on the front cover of Rolling Stone Africa this month.
The Canadian star outlined her goals and spoke in detail about what her win in Montreal meant for her career.
“Winning that trophy gave me a huge boost of confidence in myself,” said Mboko to Rolling Stone. “I never imagined I would achieve a title like that so early, and it meant so much to me.”
“For me, it symbolised all the hard work and everything happening behind the scenes that led to that exact moment,” he explained.
Mboko’s incredible 2025 record has indicated that her Montreal win will be far from a one-off, and she’s expected to impress in her first full season at the top of the rankings in 2026.
