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20 Mar 2026 | 19.14
Victoria Mboko continues to establish herself as one of the major breakthroughs on the women's circuit and is no longer going unnoticed by anyone. Her growth in recent months has led top tennis figures to envision a bright future for the Canadian.
The latest to do so was Andy Roddick. The former world number 1 and US Open 2003 champion did not hesitate to make a strong prediction about the 19-year-old, who currently holds her career-best ranking as world number 9 after reaching the quarterfinals in Indian Wells.
Roddick is clear: “She will win a Grand Slam”
The American left no room for doubt in his podcast Served regarding Mboko's potential. “Mboko will win a Grand Slam in the next two years. I needed to say it out loud,” he stated. The former world number 1 bases his prediction on the consistency that the Canadian is showing despite her young age. “She plays well every week. We talk about Sabalenka because she is in the mix at all tournaments, and Mboko isn't there yet, but if you take her breakout last year, some injuries… maybe she ended the year on uneven footing. This year, she's reaching quarterfinals or better in practically every tournament.”
The ex-tennis player also highlighted her competitive ability, especially in tough matches. “She wins many tough three-setters, and when she starts turning those wins into clearer two-set victories, which she will... she's only been on the circuit for eight months.” He also downplayed the impact of her losses against top-level opponents. “Losing to Sabalenka doesn't worry me at all. She's a work in progress. She's physically strong and can handle the demands of high-level tennis. She impresses me more and more. She doesn't need to play her best tennis to win matches,” he affirmed.
For Roddick, Mboko's evolution is only a matter of time. The American even sets a deadline for his prediction. “Give me until late 2028, but I believe she will win a Grand Slam.”
The challenge of turning potential into major titles
Mboko's rise has been as rapid as it has been solid. At the beginning of 2025, she was outside the top 300, but her victory at the WTA 1000 in Canada, where she defeated four Grand Slam champions along the way, marked a definitive turning point in her career.
Since then, she has maintained an upward trajectory, despite some physical issues following that success. She closed out 2025 by lifting the title in Hong Kong and has started 2026 with impressive consistency, reaching finals in Adelaide and Doha, as well as achieving notable quarterfinals in Indian Wells, where she lost to Sabalenka. Roddick specifically highlights her ability to compete even when not at her best. “She doesn't need to play her best tennis to win matches. She's very good even when she's not playing well in early rounds but still makes it to the quarters. That's very important for a young player.”
With the Miami Open as an immediate challenge, the Canadian continues to gain experience on big stages. In Florida, she starts as the tenth seed and is already in the third round after crushing Blinkova in just 1 hour (6-2, 6-0). For now, Mboko continues to take firm steps forward. And if Roddick's words come true, the final leap towards the highest echelons of women's tennis is getting closer and closer.
Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale Roddick se rinde a Mboko: “Va a ganar un Grand Slam en los próximos dos años”
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