Canada’s New Queen of the Court: Mboko Shocks Osaka to Win National Bank Open
In one of the most sensational breakthroughs in recent memory, 18-year-old Canadian wildcard Victoria Mboko has stunned the tennis world by capturing the National Bank Open title in Montreal, defeating four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a dramatic WTA 1000 final.
Just a year ago, Mboko was competing at a small tournament in Croatia, where she bowed out in the first round to a player ranked outside the world’s top 800. Fast forward to now, and she’s climbed from outside the top 300 at the start of the year to an astonishing No. 25 in the WTA rankings. Beginning this tournament ranked No. 85, her remarkable run has included victories over four Grand Slam winners, capped by her fearless display against Osaka.
With her poise, power, and maturity well beyond her years, Mboko has become the third Canadian to win the prestigious National Bank Open singles title in the Open Era. The scenes from Montreal, broadcast live to the crowd in Toronto, captured the nation’s overwhelming pride as this young woman seized the moment on home soil.
From the outset, Mboko’s self-belief and calm under pressure have caught the attention of fans and analysts alike. Her performance has lit up Canadian tennis and inspired a new generation across the country.
“I think we feel Montreal, Quebec, and really all of Canada is behind her,” said a tournament official. “She’s 18, yet she plays with such composure and confidence. She keeps surprising us with her level and determination.”
Victoria Mboko’s fairy tale rise is more than just a win—it’s a signal that a new era in Canadian tennis may have just begun.
