Former World No.1 Mats Wilander believes Victoria Mboko could follow Emma Raducanu’s breakthrough path to win the US Open in 2025. Raducanu’s 2021 triumph as a qualifier remains one of the sport’s most remarkable stories, and Wilander argued that Mboko’s rapid rise this year could echo that journey.
Mboko has surged from a year-start ranking of 333 to No. 24 in the WTA rankings. The 18-year-old Canadian burst onto the scene at the Canadian Open as a wildcard, knocking off four Grand Slam champions on her way to the title. She began by defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets, then defeated two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff in the fourth round. In the semifinals she faced Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina, saving a match point before the match went to a decider. Despite a wrist injury, Mboko recovered to win 1-6, 7-5, 7-6(4) and advance to her first tour-level final.
In the final, she faced former US Open champion Naomi Osaka and produced a dramatic comeback, losing the first set 2-6 before taking the next two 6-4, 6-1 to claim her maiden WTA 1000 title in front of the home crowd. Mboko’s performance made her the first Canadian since Bianca Andreescu in 2019 to win a WTA 1000 event, and the result left her seeded for the US Open.
Wilander spoke about Mboko’s potential in a recent TV interview, suggesting her recent win at the Canadian Open shows she has the belief needed to go deep in New York. He noted that Raducanu’s and Andreescu’s young, fearless breakthroughs have become a template for other teenagers, including Mboko, who can draw inspiration from those champions as they push through the ranks.
Mboko’s Grand Slam experience remains limited. Her only major appearance to date came at Wimbledon 2025, where she won two matches before falling to Hailey Baptiste in the third round. She did, however, withdraw from the Cincinnati Open after her Canadian Open victory to focus on the US Open, which begins on August 24.
Beyond this season’s milestones, Mboko’s first WTA final came at Parma Open, a lower-tier WTA 125 event, where she finished as runner-up. Her Montreal triumph showcased mental toughness that many young players need to translate to the biggest stages, and her decision to skip Cincinnati signals a clear focus on making a run at Flushing Meadows.
What this means for Mboko and the US Open
– A belief boost: A Grand Slam path to victory for a teenager is rare but not unprecedented. If Mboko continues to ride the momentum from Montreal, she could pose a serious threat to higher-ranked contenders.
– The injury factor: Managing the wrist injury will be crucial as the season moves toward the US Open, especially given the volume of matches a Grand Slam demands.
– Canadian momentum: Mboko’s rise adds to a strong generation of Canadian players seeking to extend the country’s recent success at the sport’s top level.
Summary
Victoria Mboko’s breakout Montreal run has positioned her as a rising star with a potential US Open run in sight. If she can maintain her level and handle the pressure of a major, she could become the newest face in a lineage of young champions who changed the trajectory of their careers at a Grand Slam.
Additional note
– Watch for Mboko’s ability to mix power with smart court craft, and how her wrist holds up week to week as the US Open approaches. Her next big test will be translating her WTA 1000 form to the world’s toughest stages.