Victoria Mboko, Rising Tennis Star, Still Dreams of Facing Serena Williams
DOHA, Qatar – – Victoria Mboko, the 19-year-old Canadian tennis sensation, continues to turn heads on the WTA tour. Fresh off a debut win at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, Mboko revealed a long-held ambition: to play against the legendary Serena Williams, despite the American’s retirement.
Mboko’s straight-sets victory over Marie Bouzkova in Doha marked a confident start to her campaign at the tournament. The win adds to a rapidly growing list of accomplishments for the young player, who has already achieved title runs in Montréal and Hong Kong, propelling her to No. 13 in the world rankings. Her ascent has been particularly impressive given her recent experience facing the world No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka, at the Australian Open last month.
When asked about players she admired growing up and hoped to compete against, Mboko’s answer was both unsurprising and poignant. “Well, one person that I always looked up to was Serena Williams, but she’s retired now,” she said. “I feel like I kind of already played people who I was wanting to play growing up. I mean, playing world No. 1 has always been a dream of mine, whether you win or lose it.”
While a match against Williams is no longer possible, Mboko’s ambition extends beyond a single opponent. She expressed a desire to test her skills against the best players in the world. “But, yeah, I think just playing as many top-10 players as I can is pretty cool. That’s always a different experience for me. Yeah, there’s not someone in particular,” she stated.
The Canadian’s quick rise has drawn attention to her talent and determination. She has demonstrated an ability to compete with, and defeat, higher-ranked players, signaling a promising future in the sport. Her recent performance against Sabalenka at the Australian Open, though a loss, provided invaluable experience against elite competition early in her career.
According to reports, Mboko’s journey has been fueled by strong performances in recent tournaments, showcasing her growing skill and determination. She is rapidly becoming a player to watch on the WTA tour, and her eagerness to challenge established stars suggests a competitive spirit that will serve her well as she continues her climb up the rankings.
Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ former coach, recently hailed Mboko and Joao Fonseca as “the future of tennis,” further solidifying the growing excitement surrounding the young Canadian’s potential. This recognition from a respected figure in the tennis world underscores the impact Mboko is already making on the sport.
Mboko’s story is one of ambition, dedication, and a deep respect for the players who paved the way for her. While the dream of facing Serena Williams may remain unfulfilled, her focus remains firmly on the present and the future, with a clear goal of consistently competing against the top players in the world.
