Victoria Mboko has established herself as one of the best players in the world over the past year.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2025, the 19-year-old has picked up two titles, including a WTA 1000 in front of a home crowd at the Canadian Open.
Mboko has proven herself against the top players on the tour, and in January, she went toe-to-toe for the first time with the world’s very best: Aryna Sabalenka.
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In the fourth round of the Australian Open, the Canadian had a maiden clash with the world number one, and fell in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6.
She has since been handed another defeat by Sabalenka at Indian Wells, but the match was much closer this time: 7-6, 6-4.
Victoria Mboko discusses her second meeting with Aryna Sabalenka
After picking up a win in her opening match at the Miami Open, Mboko reflected on the loss to Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells.
In an interview with Tennis Channel, she said: “I mean, playing her again, of course, I knew what to expect. And then again, it was another time on the centre court, so that was pretty cool.
“I felt that I kind of knew her balls, and I knew how she kind of liked to play. So I felt like I had a little bit of a different plan going into the match. And I just tried to stay in there as much as we could.
“You know, in the first set, we were just holding each other’s serve. I had a lot of opportunities. She had a lot of opportunities.
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“And honestly, looking back at it, I was like, maybe like the difference between one or two points, if I was just able to convert, and maybe who knows what would have happened.
“But yeah, it’s just little moments like that that can really make a difference and go a long way. So I mean, I’m happy to have played her again.
“You don’t feel as bad losing to the number one in the world. So it’s nice.”
Victoria Mboko says she does not watch film of herself often
Though she put in a much better performance against Sabalenka the second time around, she did not watch any film back from the first loss heading into the Indian Wells bout.
Asked if she ever studies film of herself, Mboko replied: “No, I don’t like watching myself play, but if I have to, I do if it helps me learn stuff.
“Yeah, but honestly, I don’t. I like watching everyone else but myself.”
Mboko is now aiming to clinch a third career title at the Miami Open, where she has started off strong by winning her opening match against Anna Blinkova 6-2, 6-0.
In the next round, Mboko will take on Anastasia Zakharova.
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