"Every time she enters the court, it's for a win" - Victoria Mboko's coach credits her self-belief for magical run at Canadian Open

It has been an amazing two weeks for teenage tennis star Victoria Mboko, who has electrified home fans at the 2025 Canadian Open. The 18-year old is through to her maiden WTA 1000 final, and her coach, Nathalie Tauziat; believes Mboko's confidence has played a key role in her success.

After a second round appearance at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, Mboko reached the round of 16 at the DC Open. However, the Canadian burst into the limelight at her home event in Montreal, where she has played some spectacular tennis to reach the final.

A clinical defeat of 2021 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the second round at the WTA 1000 event drew attention in the Canadian's direction. However, it was Mboko's upset of World No.2 Coco Gauff in the round of 16 that announced her arrival to the world.

Mboko would go on to make quick work of Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in the quarterfinals. The rising star would go on to defeat former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinal, securing a spot in her maiden WTA final.

A former WTA World No.3 and 1998 Wimbledon finalist, Tauziat began working with Mboko at the start of the 2025 season. Since their collaboration, Mboko has won 22 straight matches at ITF level. Furthermore, she reached the third round at Roland Garros as a qualifier, and made her debut at Wimbledon.

As Mboko's confidence continues to grow with each match, Tauziat credits the teenager's strong sense of self-belief as a crucial part of her success.

"Since the beginning of the year, she's won so many matches," said Tauziat after Mboko's quarterfinal victory. “I think what is important also for her is to see us not panic when something happen. I remember at the beginning of the year, she always told me: ‘Oh, you’re so calm during the match.’
“I say: ‘You know what, it’s just a match. I mean, I can help you, but if I show you I am on panic myself, I mean, it’s going to be worse for you, so why do you want me to panic? I’m not panicking. It’s just a match, and I’m here to help you.’
“So I think if also all the team stay calm and help her the most we can, she’s not panicking. The way also she’s winning since the beginning of the year, as I said, she plays so many matches, that she can manage that kind of thing right now be.
“I think she believes in herself. I think also, she has the power maybe more. She has a very good serve. Not a lot of players have a good serve. She likes to learn. She likes to improve. So I think it’s important. I don’t know what is exactly her goal, but so far, every time she enters the court, it’s for a win. That’s important."

Under Tauziat's tutelage, Mboko has ascended the WTA Rankings. The teenager climbed from outside the top 300 to her current rank of World No.85. Mboko is set to make her top 50 debut following her fairytale run in Canada.