Victoria Mboko is the latest Masters 1000 champion, having stormed to the title in her home country, beating Naomi Osaka just last night in the final.
In what has been an unprecedented, outstanding week or so for the 18-year-old, she overcame great adversity throughout, brushing aside players who, on paper, had far more experience and quality than her
Stars like Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka were all Grand Slam champions, and none had enough to stop this rampaging Canadian, who has shot herself to tennis superstardom with this win.
Now, heading into the US Open, Victoria Mboko is a threat that no player will want to see on their side of the draw.
Alas, the aftermath of the final was marred by one moment, with Osaka being slammed for not congratulating Mboko in her post-match speech.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has now explained why that happened.
Naomi Osaka explains why she didn’t congratulate Victoria Mboko
Although it was a moment that has drawn criticism, Osaka was keen not to get dragged into any more controversy as she swiftly sought to play down the event.
And whilst she did not issue an outright apology to Mboko, she did explain herself.
Speaking to the Canadian Open press, the 27-year-old admitted: “Yeah, I mean, definitely. I think it’s kind of funny. This morning I was very grateful. I don’t know why my emotions flipped so quickly, but I’m really happy to have played the final.
“I think Victoria played really well. I completely forgot to congratulate her on the court. Yeah, I mean, she did really amazing, so…”.
An explanation, but no apology.
Victoria Mboko proves she is ready to compete at the highest level
Winning a title on the WTA tour is a remarkable feat, and one that deserves praise no matter the victor’s age.
Winning a Masters 1000 event marks a particularly impressive showing, as the second-biggest normal tournament just behind a Grand Slam.
To have done this at 18, in what was her very first title on tour, has instantly stamped Mboko onto the map and proven she is ready to compete.
After all, it was not just the title which was impressive, but the calibre of players she beat to get there, as noted earlier. Gauff and Osaka are multiple-time major champions, with Rybakina a former Wimbledon winner with one of the fiercest serves on the women’s tour.
This young Canadian was unfazed, and deservedly has her maiden WTA title.
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images
Given the poise, purpose and talent she has been playing with already, this feels like just the start of many, many more triumphs across a glittering career.
What’s next for Naomi Osaka?
Continuing, Osaka then previewed what was next for her after this defeat.
She noted: “Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely going to be really interesting to go to Cincinnati. I don’t know. I feel like I’m a little teeter-tottering today. I felt like I could have played better, but I’m not really sure which aspect.
“I think definitely my serve, but it’s going to be interesting to see, yeah, what my next match is and how I’m going to play