"Not at all did I imagine this": Victoria Mboko reflects on her first seeded Grand Slam appearance after an early loss

Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko left the US Open in the first round after a loss to two-time Grand Slam champion Barbora Krejcikova by 6-3, 6-2, but her post-match reflections showed maturity, gratitude, and a determination to keep growing on the sport’s biggest stages.

For the first time, Mboko earned a direct entry into a Grand Slam main draw—and was even seeded—after winning her first WTA 1000 title at the Canadian Open weeks earlier. She defeated rivals like Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina on her way to the final, where she faced Naomi Osaka. The Canadian emerged as a new young star, quickly reaching the top 25 at just 18 years old.

She skipped the Cincinnati Open, and there were great expectations for her return to the courts at Flushing Meadows. She had a tough draw against Krejcikova, though Mboko had already proven her worth by defeating four Grand Slam champions on her way to the title in Montreal just a few weeks ago. “It’s obviously a learning opportunity for me,” Mboko said after the match. “Barbora, she’s a two-time Grand Slam champion and has a great level. Going forward, I’m always open to grow and learn from mistakes and take this match as a chance to improve.”

Krejcikova’s variety and tactical play gave Mboko plenty to think about. “She has a very unique style, with a lot of variation. She’s a very smart player on court,” Mboko explained. “I felt like I was rushing myself a little bit and needed to take more time between points, to find solutions, and to settle into my game better.”

Many noticed Mboko’s heavily taped wrist, but she downplayed its effect. “I had a previous injury in Montreal when I fell on it. I taped it up here just to keep it stable and somewhat OK for the match,” she said. “At times it bothered me, but mostly it was about stability.”

Despite limited preparation — she skipped both Cincinnati and Cleveland — Mboko said competing at Flushing Meadows was her focus. “I only started hitting about a week before. To be ready, I did as much rehab and prevention work as possible. Now there’s a little break before the Asia swing, so I’ll make sure everything is good with my fitness before then.”

One of the highlights of her experience at Louis Armstrong Stadium was the energy in the crowd. “I was kind of surprised by how many people were there to support me,” Mboko admitted. “I felt really happy and grateful to have that many fans cheering. That was amazing and definitely one of the big takeaways.”

Asked if the big stage felt overwhelming, she smiled: “Not really. Of course, playing on a big stadium against Barbora with so many supporters, it might seem like a lot. But I feel like I’ve been in these situations before. I just tried to stay present, focus on the match, and not let the atmosphere get in my head.”

The loss marked only her third Grand Slam appearance — yet Mboko was already seeded, a fact she said still surprises her. “Not at all did I imagine this,” she laughed. “Last year on my 18th birthday I was playing an ITF tournament in the Netherlands. To see how far I’ve come in a year is really amazing. If you told me then that I’d be seeded at the US Open, I would have been so happy.”

She’s also faced a whirlwind of competition: in just three weeks, Mboko has played five different former Slam champions. “Honestly, having that opportunity is amazing. They all have different game styles, and I’m still adapting my game to be more open to trying new things. It’s really good for my growth and experience,” she said.

Even amid the loss, Mboko showed humor when asked about a quirky on-court moment — Krejcikova losing her racquet dampener mid-match. “It disrupted play a little bit, but it was fine. It took a while to find it. I just tried to center myself and refocus. I was bouncing around, making sure I was ready for the next point.”

That maturity, mixed with a willingness to laugh, is part of what has made Mboko such a compelling young player to watch.

Despite her early exit, Mboko emphasized that this is only the beginning of her career. “I’m happy with where I am, but I also feel like this is the start of a long journey. That’s exciting in itself,” she said.

Grateful for the support of fans and inspired by testing herself against some of the world’s best, Victoria Mboko left New York not with disappointment, but with perspective. “Although I lost, it feels a little nicer because she’s won a bunch of Slams,” she admitted. “I just know I have more to learn — and that’s what motivates me.”