TORONTO — Victoria Mboko, an 18-year-old tennis player, is being hailed as a role model for young Canadian athletes following her remarkable victory at the National Bank Open in Montreal. The Burlington, Ontario, native won the title on Thursday by defeating Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, with a score of 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Her win has propelled her 61 spots up the world rankings, landing her at a career-high No. 24. Mboko is now set to be a seeded player at the upcoming U.S. Open in New York, which begins later this month.

Yosabeth Agonafer, a representative from the Alberta-based group Black Girls in Tennis, emphasized the significance of Mboko's achievement. "It wasn't just about her winning. It was also inspiring for a lot of young women, especially women of color," Agonafer said. She noted that seeing a Black Canadian player succeed on home soil is a powerful message for representation in tennis.

"It's not just about her winning. It is visibility, it's the validation, it's opening doors for young women, for women of color. I think it just opens the stage globally and shows that it is possible (to win), that excellence has no limits," Agonafer added.

Doug Burke, president of ACE Tennis and one of Mboko's early coaches, praised her ability to inspire young Canadians of all backgrounds. "We knew Vicky was out for great things, but to see her perform the way she did in the type of competition that she faced was just quite outstanding," he said.

Burke, who coached Mboko from age four to twelve, highlighted her exceptional attitude and competitive spirit. "I think she steps into that role without even trying. It's her manner, the way she carries herself, the way she is grounded and appreciates the support that she's had," he explained.

Mboko's journey in tennis began early. Burke recalled how she started competing in under-18 tournaments at just 12 years old, often playing against opponents six years her senior. "I know at the time they were trying to figure out if she was too young to play. That's how advanced she was beyond her years," he said.

As she prepares for the U.S. Open, Mboko is focused on maintaining her routine and staying relaxed. "I don't want to put so much pressure on myself just because of something that happened this week, because life goes on. There's always another tournament, whether I win or lose. I'm just happy to live in the moment," she stated.

With her recent success, Mboko has become the highest-ranked Canadian player on tour, surpassing Leylah Fernandez. She joins Mirra Andreeva, another 18-year-old, as the only players under 20 in the top 25 rankings.