Victoria Mboko Qualifies for First Grand Slam at French Open
Canadian tennis star Victoria Mboko has made a major breakthrough in her career by qualifying for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. The 18-year-old from Toronto secured her place in the 2025 French Open after defeating Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan in straight sets — 7-5, 6-3 — during the final round of qualifying on Friday.
The match, held on Court 12 at Roland-Garros, lasted 93 minutes. Mboko displayed impressive composure and skill throughout, hitting two aces and converting six out of nine break-point opportunities. Her aggressive style and sharp returns helped her close out the match in dominant fashion.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in what has already been an outstanding season for Mboko. She has won 40 out of 45 matches this year, mostly on the ITF circuit, and has secured five singles titles. Her rise has not gone unnoticed. She made notable appearances at high-profile WTA events in Miami and Rome earlier in the season, where she even took a set off world No. 2 Coco Gauff — a performance that turned heads in the tennis world.
Mboko now joins a strong Canadian contingent at the 2025 French Open. Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Quebec, will also compete in the women’s singles draw, while Félix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo, both from Montreal, and Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ontario, will represent Canada in the men’s singles draw.
Canada’s presence at Roland-Garros extends beyond singles competition. Fernandez and Diallo are also scheduled to play in the doubles events. Meanwhile, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski will pair up with Erin Routliffe of New Zealand in the women’s doubles draw. In wheelchair tennis, Rob Shaw of North Bay, Ontario, has been awarded a wild card to compete in both the quad singles and doubles events.
Mboko’s emergence comes as Canadian tennis continues to thrive on the international stage. With a blend of experienced players and rising stars, Canada is building a formidable reputation across all formats of the sport. Her entry into the French Open main draw not only highlights her individual talent but also adds depth to Canada’s growing tennis legacy.
For Mboko, this Grand Slam debut represents both a reward for her persistence and a launchpad for even greater accomplishments. As she steps onto the clay courts of Roland-Garros for her first major tournament, all eyes will be on the teenage sensation to see how far she can go against the world’s best.
The French Open, one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tournaments, is renowned for its challenging clay surface and high level of competition. For any player, qualifying is an impressive feat — but for someone as young as Mboko, it signals a bright future ahead.
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