Victoria Mboko’s triumph at the National Bank Open (NBO) on Thursday was more than a win, it was a seismic moment in Canadian sports.
The 18-year-old from Toronto defeated Naomi Osaka 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 to claim her first WTA 1000 title, becoming the first Canadian woman in the Open era to win the Montreal event.
Remarkably, Mboko began the day in a hospital, unsure if she could even take the court. After sustaining a right wrist injury in her semifinal against Elena Rybakina, she underwent late-night treatment and morning scans, which cleared her to play.
Despite visible discomfort, she refused to quit, later revealing she plans to withdraw from the Cincinnati Open to rest before the U.S. Open.
Osaka dominated the opening set without facing a break point. But momentum swung dramatically in the second as Mboko broke Osaka eight times over the final two sets. Even as her serve speed dipped, she capitalized on Osaka’s unforced errors, feeding off a raucous home crowd that roared with every point.
The turning point came late in the match when Mboko, trailing in a game, produced a sliding, lunging get that stunned Osaka and electrified the stadium. The ball barely cleared the net, and a review confirmed it was good. From that moment, Mboko didn’t lose another point, sealing the victory with an emotional collapse to her knees.
Mboko’s path to the title included wins over four Grand Slam champions, making her the second-youngest player in the Open era to achieve the feat, behind only Serena Williams at 17. Starting the year outside the top 300, she will now rise to world No. 25 and become Canada’s top-ranked player. Her $752,275 winner’s cheque nearly doubles her career earnings overnight.
Prime Minister Mark Carney congratulated her on social media, while the CN Tower lit up in red and white. Even fans at the men’s final in Toronto erupted mid-match as they streamed her victory on their phones, baffling players on court.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Mboko urged young athletes to “never stop believing.” She told the Montreal crowd, “I wanted it so badly… your dreams are closer than they seem. Montreal, je vous aime!”
This victory marks the arrival of a new Canadian tennis star, one who proved that grit, belief, and a little national pride can turn an impossible day into an unforgettable one.
