Where I’m raised: Victoria Mboko

Victoria Mboko is an athlete in the National Tennis Centre presented by Rogers. At only 15 years old, she is ranked no.49 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors rankings and no.3 in her age group. In 2021, she won three titles on the junior circuit, competed in three other finals and posted a 44–19 record. The Burlington, Ontario, native is gaining phenomenal momentum and remains laser focused on one thing: winning the world’s biggest titles!

“I want to become a multi-Grand Slam champion. It was always my dream ever since I was little and saw Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal playing and winning,” said Victoria. “I also really look up to Bianca Andreescu, who won the US Open in 2019. Knowing she once trained in Toronto and at the NTC, like me, is very inspiring and makes me believe it’s possible for me, too.”

Family makes a difference

Seeing Victoria on the court today may give the impression she was destined to become a tennis player, but she is the first to admit that tennis was never part of her initial plan or her parents’.

“We never knew tennis was really for me,” she explained. “I grew up in a tennis household but they never really wanted to enroll me in tennis. I grew up watching my three siblings, all older than me, play at the centre in Toronto and I loved watching them play. My dad would feed me balls and I would just keep running after them. It was my favourite thing to do. I fell in love with the sport and eventually got better and better.”

She may be out on her own on the courts but Victoria never forgets that her family has always played a critical role in her development as an athlete. Ask her to share some of her best tennis memories and she will mention her victories, of course, and the family members in the stands who saw her win.

“My parents went to every single lesson and practice I had, always giving me tips outside the court. I’m really grateful for that. I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for them,” said Victoria. “When I was twelve, I made the finals of the Orange Bowl and it was a pretty big deal because it’s one of the biggest U12 tournaments in the world. My parents were really proud of me, and I felt I could do so much more. It motivated me to work harder and get stronger.”

Community makes a difference

The Ontarian knows that if she and her family found success in tennis, it is thanks in part to the local clubs, academies, indoor and outdoor installations, coaches and resources available in and around her neighborhood. And that is precisely why Victoria is encouraging Canadians to contribute to Tennis Canada’s #whereimraised fundraising campaign, in which Canadian hero Bianca Andreescu plays a starring role.

“It’s people’s support that makes it possible for young players like me to pursue their dreams and continue to express their love of tennis on the courts,” Victoria shared. “By giving to Tennis Canada, they are directly supporting tomorrow’s champions and all sorts of community tennis initiatives. And Bianca Andreescu—my idol—has pledged to match every dollar donated in December, up to $50,000. So, give generously!”