Mbok: "Right now Cincinnati is up in the air, I don't know if I will play"

Fernando Murciego | 5 Aug 2025 | 11.00

Victoria Mboko, protagonist in Montreal. Source: Getty

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No matter how it all ends this week in Canada, it has become clear what the story of the tournament has been. Victoria Mboko, at 18 years old, has reached the semifinals of the WTA 1000 in Montreal and has shown why she is one of the most promising girls of her generation. With a secure spot in the top 50 of the rankings, now the draw pushes her to face Elena Rybakina for a ticket to the grand final, but before that, it's worth hearing her thoughts after defeating our Jessica Bouzas. Remember her face and her words, soon Mboko will be more present than ever.

A significant victory

"First of all, I feel very happy right now. Achieving a milestone like this in a tournament like this is truly significant for me, and I couldn't be happier to have experienced this journey here in Montreal. Overall, I don't have many words to say, but I can assure you that I am immensely happy."

Level up in the second set

"As the second set progressed, things started to change. I had a bit of a slow start, much tougher than in the second set. Somehow I needed some time to stay with her in the longer exchanges. Jessica is a very solid player, always hitting hard with very consistent shots, so I felt like I needed to raise my game. I needed to elevate my mobility and especially my focus. Overall, that was my main focus throughout the second set; I also wanted to apply that intensity. I believe that made a significant turnaround in the match."

The legacy of Bouchard

"I haven't really watched Genie play much, but you know, I feel she was the first Canadian woman to set many milestones for our country's tennis. I think she has been an inspiration to many young girls like me, maybe our playing styles could also be quite different. That's all I can say."

No hangover from beating Gauff

"Of course, the match the other day against Coco was a very special experience; I was very happy to have won that day. I don't know, at the end of the day, I was still in the tournament, so I couldn't really celebrate much or anything. I was still locked into that environment of continuing to stay alive in the tournament, something I usually do. If you play a tournament, it's because you want to win it, so I always like to have that kind of mentality; that's all."

First WTA semifinal

"Right now, I don't feel fresh, but I don't feel too tired either. I think having the day off between matches is a big help; this intermediate day helps us regroup and recharge. It's also true that every day I've been doing what I needed to recover well. Most of my matches have been at night, so afterward, I have a lot of time during the day to take a nap or do anything else I need to arrive prepared at night. Yes, I feel pretty good right now."

Next opponent: Elena Rybakina

"I played against her in Washington less than two weeks ago, so I don't expect an easy match at all. I've faced her, I know what to expect. Maybe I just need to raise my game a bit and stay with her on the court. She is a player with very good groundstrokes, in addition to a tremendous serve. That day, I will have to do everything possible to stay in the fight."

Different celebration after winning against Bouzas

"My celebrations come naturally; I don't have anything specific in mind when I win the match; I just do what I feel. I guess today I ended up raising my fist, but I have the same excitement as the day before when I beat Coco or the round before with Bouzkova. Every round, I've had the same amount of excitement when I've won; every day I go out there wanting to play another round, always aiming for the top, to win the championship."

Key to handling pressure

"I don't know if there's a secret; I suppose being calm in such stressful situations is key to delivering what you want, to assert yourself in those tight moments. The human reaction is always to tense up and act, but I think if I project calm and relaxation, I'll also have the same in my mind. If I don't overthink it and keep my head fresh, I manage to project what I want on the court. That's what's helping me in more complex situations."

Two-week tournaments or one?

"As for two-week tournaments, honestly... everything is too new to me, so I haven't had time to think about it and form a stance on the issue. I mean, right now, I see how great it feels to have a day off between matches, but you know, there's also a very demanding tournament next week. Right now, I'm only focused on what happens this week; I haven't even had time to think about it. Moreover, I'm currently signed up for Cincinnati, but I'm not sure if I'll go. First, I want to see how far I get here; so I leave it up in the air, I don't know."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mboko: “Ahora mismo Cincinnati está en el aire, no sé si jugaré”