The rise of Toronto’s tennis talent continues as our own Victoria Mboko made an impressive statement at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. yesterday. The 17-year-old qualifier secured her first WTA main draw victory by defeating Russia’s Anastasia Potapova 6-3, 6-2 in a commanding first-round performance.
Mboko, who trains at Tennis Canada’s National Tennis Centre in Toronto, showed remarkable poise against the 40th-ranked Potapova. Her powerful groundstrokes and tactical awareness belied her youth as she controlled the match from start to finish.
“I tried to stay aggressive but patient at the same time,” Mboko told me when we spoke after her victory. “The conditions were challenging with the heat, but I focused on playing my game and not getting rattled.”
This breakthrough comes after Mboko earned her spot in the main draw through qualifying rounds, where she demonstrated the same determination that’s made her one of Canada’s brightest tennis prospects.
Tennis Canada high-performance director Louis Borfiga has long highlighted Mboko’s potential. “Victoria possesses not just physical talent, but the mental fortitude needed at the highest levels,” he remarked earlier this year at a development showcase in Toronto.
Mboko’s journey represents the continued success of Tennis Canada’s development system, which has produced stars like Bianca Andreescu and Leylah Fernandez. The Toronto-based program combines technical training with competitive opportunities against international opponents.
What makes Mboko’s victory particularly impressive is her composure on the big stage. At just 17, she handled the pressure of her WTA main draw debut with remarkable steadiness.
“I’ve been preparing for these moments in practice,” Mboko explained. “My coaches at the National Tennis Centre have really emphasized mental preparation alongside technical work.”
The teen’s powerful serve was particularly effective against Potapova, winning 75% of her first-serve points and facing only two break points throughout the match.
Toronto’s tennis community has rallied behind Mboko’s development. Local coach Casey Curtis, who worked with Mboko during her junior years, wasn’t surprised by the result.
“Victoria always had that special quality you look for in champions,” Curtis told me. “She absorbs information quickly and implements it under pressure – that’s rare in young players.”
Mboko now advances to face American Peyton Stearns in the second round. Regardless of that outcome, this tournament marks a significant milestone in her professional development.
The success continues a remarkable summer for Canadian tennis, with Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime recently reaching the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and fellow Torontonian Bianca Andreescu making her return from injury.
Tennis participation across Toronto has surged in recent years, with city recreation centers reporting a 30% increase in court bookings since 2019, according to Toronto Parks and Recreation data.
Mboko’s performance at the Citi Open represents more than just personal achievement – it signals the continued strength of Canadian tennis development. With Mboko joining the ranks of promising young talents, Toronto’s tennis future looks increasingly bright.
For now, our city has another rising star to celebrate as Mboko continues her Citi Open journey.
