“Bigger things are to come”: Victoria Mboko embraces Serena Williams’ perspective after season-ending injury
WTASaturday, 12 September 2026 at 04:30
Derena Williams has given Victoria Mboko a different way of looking at the season-ending injury that abruptly halted the Canadian's rapid rise in 2026. After sharing the court with her childhood idol at Queen's Club, Mboko has taken Williams' perspective on injuries into her recovery as she looks to turn an unexpected period away from tennis into an opportunity to improve.
Mboko's season was cut short by a left knee injury in June, just months after she had broken into the WTA's Top 10. The 20-year-old had established herself as one of the most exciting young players on tour, but her immediate challenge is now to recover properly while making the most of a period in which competition is no longer dictating her schedule.
Rather than treating the interruption as time lost, Mboko has focused on what she can gain from it. The Canadian has spoken about setting new goals, finding areas of her game and herself that she can develop, and returning with greater ambitions once she is physically ready to compete again.
That approach has added significance because of the person who helped shape it. Williams remains one of the biggest influences on Mboko's tennis career, and their doubles partnership at Queen's gave the Canadian the rare opportunity to learn directly from the player who helped inspire her to pick up a racket in the first place.
Mboko embraces a different perspective on injury
Speaking to PEOPLE, Mboko explained how her conversation with Williams changed the way she thinks about the recovery process. The American drew on her own experiences with injuries to show Mboko that an enforced absence can also provide an opportunity to assess weaknesses and make changes that might otherwise be difficult to address during a packed season.
Williams' message resonated with Mboko at a moment when the Canadian could easily have viewed the injury purely as a disruption to the momentum she had built. Instead, she has tried to use the time away from competition as part of her development.
“You’re able to honestly build a lot and find so much," Williams said to Mboko - according to the Canadian. "For me right now, I’m so eager to get back on the court. I have so many new goals for myself, and I’m trying to just tackle so many things. I want to do big things when I get back on court.”
Mboko has also deliberately resisted describing the injury only as a setback. Her focus is on what the recovery period can offer her before she returns to the demands of the WTA Tour.
“I think it’s given me a way to see a new perspective in the recovery. I try to not think that it’s just a setback, but I think it’s the way to see that bigger things are to come.”
A full-circle moment with her childhood idol
The connection with Williams makes the experience particularly meaningful. Mboko has long cited the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion as one of the reasons she became involved in tennis, while Williams' return to professional competition at Queen's created the opportunity for the two to play together.
The pair received a wild card into the doubles draw and reached the quarter-finals before Mboko's knee injury forced them to withdraw.
For the Canadian, however, the significance of the partnership extended beyond the result, particularly given the influence Williams had on the way she developed as a player.
“It was honestly unbelievable. Playing with my idol and someone I’ve looked up to since I was so young, and also the reason why I got into the sport, was just so moving. It was honestly such an honor.”
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Mboko also explained how much she took from the conversations they were able to have during their time together, particularly after watching Williams overcome injuries and other difficult moments throughout her career.
“And we were able to talk a little bit. And I was able to learn a lot from her that made me feel very confident with myself as well.”
The immediate priority remains Mboko's recovery, but the bigger objective is already clear. After reaching the Top 10 at 19 and establishing herself as a major young force on the WTA Tour, she wants to return not merely to where she was before the injury, but with the improvements and perspective she believes the interruption can provide.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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