Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has made impressive strides in the world of women’s tennis, achieving a remarkable ascent to No. 333 in the WTA Tour rankings as of the beginning of 2025. On Friday, she is set to compete in the third round of the prestigious French Open.
In her second-round match, Mboko displayed her determination and skill by defeating Germany’s Eva Lys, ranked No. 59, with a score of 6-4, 6-4. “I was very focused throughout the whole match,” she remarked, acknowledging the challenge posed by Lys. The journey to this point has been impressive, particularly as Mboko was ranked No. 156 by the April 21 entry deadline for the qualifying rounds. Despite entering unseeded, she advanced past three formidable opponents—Sinja Kraus, Kathinka Von Deichmann, and Kaja Juvan—without losing a set.
Mboko’s momentum continued with a first-round victory over Lulu Sun, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon the previous year, and now she finds herself poised to break into the top 100 following her win over Lys. Currently holding a “live” ranking of No. 89, she will face No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen in her next match.
Having begun the season navigating the ITF circuit, Mboko quickly surged with an impressive 22-match winning streak and securing four titles. Her potential was recognized when she received wild card entries into major tournaments like the Miami Open and Italian Open. Notably, she put up a strong fight against top-ranked players, including No. 10 Paula Badosa and world No. 2 Coco Gauff, both of whom praised her talent.
Mboko’s background adds to her inspiring story: she comes from a tennis family with deep roots in the sport, supported by her father, Cyprien, and siblings who have been essential in her journey. After struggling with injuries during her junior career, she is now healthy and thriving in her first Grand Slam tournament as a senior player.
As her profile rises, media attention has increased, with Mboko appearing in various interviews and gaining a dedicated following. “Of course there is so much happening, even behind the scenes. But I feel like my family has been doing a good job of keeping me really isolated from it all,” she said, focusing on enjoying the experience alongside loved ones.
Ahead of her match against Zheng, who has her own impressive accolades, Mboko remains grounded despite the growing spotlight. She represents a wave of fresh talent in professional tennis, and her journey reflects both determination and hard work.
The story of Victoria Mboko is one of resilience and potential, resonating with fans and aspiring athletes who see in her the embodiment of the spirit required to shine in competitive sports. With the French Open serving as her platform, she is not only breaking barriers for herself but also inspiring many young tennis players around the world.