Victoria Mboko returned to the site of her greatest triumph to get ready for tennis’ Asian swing. Except this time, IGA Stadium in Montreal wasn’t filled with fans showering her with support. But that didn’t stop the memories of her magical run at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers from flooding back as she strolled the empty grounds and walked down the tunnel to Centre Court. Her trophy photo adorning the front windows is another reminder of the history she made.
“I could say my life has changed quite a bit,” Mboko admitted. “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?”
Much of the credit for Mboko’s breakthrough 2025 season goes to her coaching team who have created the perfect environment, both on and off the court, for her to thrive. The 19-year-old is finding comfort in the familiarity she has with her team, led by coach Nathalie Tauziat who travels with Mboko most weeks along with Virginie Tremblay, National Fitness Coach at Tennis Canada. Noëlle van Lottum, Head of Women’s Tennis at Tennis Canada, Nicolas Perrotte, Tennis Canada’s National Fitness Head Coach, and sport therapist Shadi Soleymani complete the support quintet for the WTA’s newest young star.
“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. 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 said.
READ: Victoria Mboko’s Historic Montreal Title Run By the Numbers
Tauziat and van Lottum’s impressive credentials speak for themselves. As a player, van Lottum broke into the Top 50 and as a coach, worked with the likes of Kiki Bertens, Ysaline Bonaventure, Petra Martic, and Harmony Tan. For her part, Tauziat is a former World No. 3 and the 1998 Wimbledon finalist. She’s also a familiar face for Canadian tennis fans having previously worked with Eugenie Bouchard and Bianca Andreescu during their formative years, so she knows talent when she sees it and how to make the most of a player’s potential.
“Her game has progressed. She plays more aggressive, hits deeper, and shown that she can stay in a rally longer and wait for the right ball at the right moment. So, that's a strength of character that she may have lacked a little before and that she now has,” Tauziat explained. “She needs to be able to manage everything around her in order to stay calm, to train properly and to feel strong mentally. And when you feel good about yourself and your life, you play good tennis.”
So far, Mboko has handled her newfound fame with poise and a maturity well beyond her years. She’s fully embracing the opportunities she’s created for herself, including her first magazine cover for Rolling Stone Africa, but’s she’s well aware that the climb to the very top of the women’s tennis mountain has only just begun.
“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.”
Mboko may be new to the upper echelon of the game, but she certainly carries herself like a champion, exudes confidence, and has her eyes firmly on the prize of being the best of the world.
We’re proud to showcase Vicky and the four women on her coaching team in honour of Gender Equality Week in Canada. Learn more about our Game. Set. Equity. commitment and how to get involved in tennis, whether through coaching or the many other opportunities we provide to women and girls.
Photos: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada
