'I get kind of that feeling like, oh, how do you know me?': Victoria Mboko shares how her life changed after winning the Canadian Open

Canada’s young tennis sensation, Victoria Mboko, has shared the story of her life that has changed after winning a WTA 1000 event in Canada earlier this year. The 18-year-old shocked everyone with her rise as she lifted the Canadian Open after beating the former world number one, Japan’s Naomi Osaka, in the final with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

On her way to the title, Mboko defeated four Grand Slam winners, including Osaka. In the round of 64, Mboko defeated former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-3. In the round of 16, Mboko got the better of the reigning French Open champion and top-seed America’s Coco Gauff in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-4.

In the semifinals, Mboko came back from a set down and saved match points before eventually coming out on top against former Wimbledon champion Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina with a score of 1-6, 7-6, 7-5. Mboko is now set to return to the court after a lengthy spell on the sidelines since the US Open. In that competition, she was knocked out after losing in the first round to the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-2.

She will feature in the ongoing China Open and will begin her campaign in the round of 64 against Russia’s Anastasia Potapova. The match will be played on Saturday. Ahead of the competition, Mboko was quoted in a report on the Tennis Canada website where she explained how her life has changed after lifting the title. Mboko stated that she has become more recognisable by common public which left her a bit surprised as well.

“I could say my life has changed quite a bit,” said Mboko. “I'd say I get recognized a lot more in public than I normally do. And every time I do get recognized, it comes a bit of a surprise to me. I get kind of that feeling like, oh, how do you know me?”

Mboko eyes improvement 'day by day'

Mboko then went on to discuss about the impact the coaching staff has had on her performances in the recent past. Mboko credited her success to the coaching staff, especially members of the National Training Center in Montreal, who according to her has helped her stay ‘calm’ and ‘relaxed’ despite playing a lot of competitions away from home in the recent past.

“I feel like on the Tour it can get really lonely, or you can have those moments where you're just not feeling so great,” said Mboko. “I've known Nathalie and Virginie since I started at the National Training Centre (NTC in Montreal) so having them around has really helped me be a lot more calm, more relaxed and given me more comfort while I’m playing.”

Mboko then went on to highlight that she has been enjoying her tennis in the recent past and also enjoying the fact that she has the chance of travelling to new places. Mboko further emphasized that her focus remains on working hard behind the scene by staying ‘true’ to herself. Mboko said that she understands that the ‘sky is the limit’ but she is keen on taking the process step by step and is eager to improve every day.

“I've just been loving every moment of it and enjoying the process more than anything. I’m going to new countries, having new experiences, playing new tournaments so I don't have any expectations,” Mboko said. “It takes a lot of hard work, determination. I always stay true to myself, and I know the sky's the limit, so I think it's possible to be at that highest level. I’m working towards that goal and improving every day.”