TORONTO — Rising Canadian tennis star Victoria Mboko delivered a heartfelt message to her idol, Naomi Osaka, after defeating the four-time Grand Slam champion in a thrilling second-round match at the 2024 Canadian Open. The 17-year-old wildcard, playing in her first WTA 1000 main draw, stunned the crowd with a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory, then consoled a visibly emotional Osaka at the net.
Mboko, ranked No. 298 in the world, showcased remarkable composure against the former world No. 1, who was making her return to the Canadian Open after a four-year absence. The match marked Osaka's first tournament since withdrawing from Wimbledon due to a wrist injury. Despite the competitive intensity, Mboko made sure to acknowledge Osaka's influence on her career during the post-match interview.
A Dream Match Against an Idol
"I've looked up to Naomi since I was a little girl," Mboko told reporters, her voice trembling with emotion. "To play against her on this stage was surreal, and to win is something I'll never forget. She's been such an inspiration, not just for her tennis but for how she's spoken about mental health and being true to yourself."
Osaka, who fought back tears during the handshake, later praised Mboko's performance in her press conference: "Victoria played incredibly well. She had nothing to lose, and she took her chances. I'm disappointed with my level, but I have to give credit where it's due. The future of Canadian tennis is in good hands."
Key Moments That Defined the Match
The match featured several pivotal moments that swung momentum in Mboko's favor:
- First-set breakthrough: Mboko broke Osaka's serve in the seventh game, capitalizing on unforced errors from the Japanese star.
- Tiebreak composure: After squandering two match points at 5-4 in the second set, Mboko dominated the tiebreak with aggressive baseline play.
- Mental resilience: The teenager saved 8 of 10 break points faced, including three at 4-4 in the second set.
Tactical Mastery from Mboko
Tennis analysts noted Mboko's strategic approach against Osaka's powerful game:
- Consistently targeted Osaka's backhand, drawing 23 errors from that wing
- Mixed up serve placement to prevent Osaka from settling into return games
- Used slice effectively to disrupt Osaka's rhythm on crucial points
The Emotional Aftermath
The most poignant moment came during the net exchange, where Mboko embraced Osaka and whispered words of encouragement. "I just told her how much she means to all of us," Mboko revealed. "She's changed tennis forever, and that's bigger than any one match."
Osaka's emotional response resonated with fans worldwide, many taking to social media to applaud the sportsmanship displayed. The moment trended globally, with the hashtag #MbokoOsaka accumulating over 50,000 tweets within hours. Tennis legend Billie Jean King tweeted: "This is why we love sports. The competition, the respect, the humanity. Beautiful moment between @naomiosaka and @VickyMboko."
What This Means for Both Players
For Mboko, the victory represents a career-defining breakthrough:
- Projected to rise nearly 100 spots in the WTA rankings
- Earned her first top-50 win (Osaka was ranked No. 42 entering the tournament)
- Set up a third-round clash with reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova
For Osaka, the loss extends what has been a challenging comeback season since returning from maternity leave in January 2024:
- Now 12-10 on the season with no semifinal appearances
- Struggling to regain consistency on serve (8 double faults against Mboko)
- Yet to defeat a top-30 opponent in 2024
The Road Ahead
Mboko's fairytale run would continue for one more round before ending against Vondrousova, but not before she captured the hearts of Canadian tennis fans. Meanwhile, Osaka vowed to regroup before the US Open, where she's a two-time champion. "This hurts, but it's part of the process," Osaka told reporters. "I need to keep working and trust that my game will come together when it matters most."
The match served as a poignant passing-of-the-torch moment in women's tennis, blending fierce competition with mutual admiration. As Mboko told Tennis Canada after the match: "I hope one day I can inspire someone the way Naomi inspired me. That would be the greatest victory of all."