TORONTO — Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka found herself in an unexpected moment of reflection after old comments she made about rising Canadian tennis star Victoria Mboko resurfaced ahead of their Canadian Open final showdown. Osaka, who returned to the tour earlier this year following maternity leave, admitted she was "shook" upon rediscovering her past praise for the 17-year-old phenom.
The 26-year-old Japanese star, now ranked No. 134 after her comeback, will face Mboko—ranked No. 221 but riding a wave of momentum—in what promises to be a thrilling generational clash at the WTA 1000 event. The matchup gained extra intrigue when a 2021 tweet from Osaka praising Mboko’s junior career resurfaced on social media.
Osaka’s Past Praise Comes Full Circle
In 2021, Osaka had tweeted about Mboko after watching highlights of the then-15-year-old dominating junior tournaments: "This girl Victoria Mboko is scary good. Future No. 1 energy for sure. Remember the name." Fast forward three years, and the two are set to battle for the Canadian Open title.
When asked about the tweet in her post-semifinal press conference, Osaka laughed and said, "I’m shook. I completely forgot I said that! But look at her now—she’s proving me right." Mboko, who earned a wildcard into the main draw, has taken out three seeded players en route to the final, including a stunning straight-sets win over world No. 8 Zheng Qinwen.
Mboko’s Meteoric Rise
The Winnipeg-born Mboko has been turning heads all week with her fearless baseline game and composure beyond her years. Her rapid ascent includes:
- Winning the 2023 Junior Wimbledon doubles title
- Reaching the US Open junior semifinals last year
- Becoming the youngest Canadian to reach a WTA 1000 final since Bianca Andreescu in 2019
Mboko, who trains at the National Tennis Centre in Montreal, acknowledged Osaka’s influence: "Naomi’s always been someone I looked up to. To play her in a final is surreal."
Tactical Matchup Preview
Analysts predict a contrast in styles—Osaka’s powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes against Mboko’s exceptional movement and counterpunching. Osaka holds a slight edge in experience, but Mboko’s recent form suggests an upset is possible.
Former Canadian pro Rebecca Marino noted: "Victoria’s ability to redirect pace is special. If she can handle Naomi’s serve, this could go the distance."
A Pivotal Moment for Both
For Osaka, a title would mark her first since the 2021 Australian Open and signal a full return to elite form. For Mboko, victory would make her the lowest-ranked player to win a WTA 1000 event since the format’s introduction in 2009.
Tournament director Karl Hale emphasized the significance: "This is exactly the kind of storyline that makes tennis magical—a legend facing the future she once predicted."
The final airs live Saturday at 1:30 PM ET on TSN, with Osaka installed as a narrow favorite (-160) over Mboko (+130) per BetMGM odds. Regardless of outcome, the match represents a full-circle moment that neither player could have anticipated three years ago.
As Osaka put it: "Tennis has a funny way of bringing things back around. I’m just glad I’m here to see it happen."