“She is top-20 in the world, but she needs to improve her game further": Victoria Mboko’s coach sends a clear message after historic season

Victoria Mboko's coach, Nathalie Tauziat, has played a decisive role in one of the most striking breakthroughs of the 2025 WTA season. A former world No. 3 with a reputation built on tactical intelligence and longevity, Tauziat has applied a measured, methodical approach to Mboko’s transition from junior promise to elite professional contender.

Mboko’s rise during the 2025 season was rapid but carefully constructed. Starting the year ranked outside the Top 300, the Canadian steadily accumulated match experience and confidence through early ITF success before making the jump to the main tour. Her progression reflected a balance between physical power and growing tactical awareness, a combination that allowed her to compete consistently against higher-ranked opponents.

“Victoria did something incredible by winning in Montreal, and now we have to set even bigger objectives,” the former Wimbledon runner-up said in an interview with Clay Magazine. “She is top-20 in the world, but she needs to improve her game further,”

The breakthrough moment arrived at the National Bank Open in Montreal, where Mboko delivered a landmark title on home soil. The WTA 1000 victory, achieved against a draw that included multiple Grand Slam champions, instantly altered her career trajectory. It also established her as the new reference point for Canadian women’s tennis, surpassing more established names in the national hierarchy.

By season’s end, Mboko had reached a career-high ranking of world No. 18, supported by a 62–14 win–loss record across all levels. Two WTA titles, five ITF trophies, and deep runs in several major tournaments confirmed that her rise was not the result of a single inspired week, but of sustained performance across the calendar.

Despite the scale of the achievement, Tauziat emphasized that the Montreal result did not fundamentally alter the team’s internal approach. The tournament had been identified as an important opportunity well in advance, and expectations were managed within a broader developmental framework rather than framed as a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

“No, absolutely not. The tournament in Canada is always important, and we knew she was going to get a wild card. Doing well there was one of the goals for this year, and she did way more than we expected. We were really happy. The key was thinking only about the next match, about what comes next, and she did what she did.”

From Tauziat’s perspective, the magnitude of the title became clear only in hindsight. At the beginning of the season, the emphasis remained on incremental steps rather than bold predictions, even as Mboko’s level continued to rise week after week. “If someone had told me she was going to win a big tournament like this at the beginning of the year, I would’ve probably said: ‘Listen, we have to go step by step.’ But she did this amazing thing, and now we need to set even bigger objectives, for sure. She is top 20 in the world, but she needs to improve her game further.”

Looking beyond immediate results, Tauziat has identified comprehensive development as the central focus of Mboko’s next phase. Technical refinement, physical gains, and attention to movement remain ongoing priorities as the Canadian adapts to the demands of a longer and more physically intense tour. “Well, she has to work on many aspects — serve, forehand, backhand, same things as usual, we have to improve her game as a whole. Also, she needs to get better physically, small details when it comes to movement. We’ve got time.”

Tauziat also situates Mboko’s progress within a broader evolution of the women’s game. Increased physicality and power have reshaped the circuit, while the depth of competition and expanded calendar have made sustained success more challenging than in previous eras.

“The girls are better physically than before and they hit the ball stronger, but I don’t think they play so smart sometimes, that’s the change in my opinion. The circuit as a whole is more difficult compared to before — more tournaments, longer tournaments… It’s different.”

When asked about today’s WTA landscape and the absence of a single dominant rivalry (like Sinner-Alcaraz in men’s side), Tauziat pointed to competitive balance as a strength rather than a weakness, both for spectators and for the sport’s overall appeal. “The stadium was completely full for the Montreal final, people really enjoyed it. I don’t think it’s a disadvantage. People don’t know who is going to win… But on the men’s side you don’t know too.”

Her appreciation for the current generation extends to several players whose mentality and versatility stand out, reflecting qualities she values both as a former player and as a coach shaping the next wave. “I like the mentality of Coco Gauff. She is a fighter on the court. I saw her final at the French Open, she played really intelligently,” said the French coach. “I don’t know Emma Navarro personally, but I like her game — she can do everything. Also, Jasmine Paolini, I like her temper. I enjoy watching a lot of players.”