The athlete to watch | The new star of the racquet confirms in Paris that she is destined for the top.

Roland Garros is usually a perfect venue for players just starting to make a name for themselves on the tour to make their mark . It's right in the middle of the sporting calendar, on dates when fans are more likely to have time to watch matches on television, and in a location that's considered one of the great meccas of sport . And, for that reason, Paris is always considered an interesting venue for upsets.

When a young tennis player begins to emerge in their first few months at the highest level, it's common for the Australian Open to go almost unnoticed. And once they're feeling good, they begin to gain confidence, and their tennis starts to roll, that's when Roland Garros appears on the calendar . Without a doubt, it seems like a tremendous opportunity. This is how, year after year, different players called to the highest levels begin to make a name for themselves in Paris .

And that has been the case for Victoria Mboko , a tennis player who, despite being only 18 years old, is already beginning to sign her season of consecration at the highest level. Her first big introduction took place in Miami, where after eliminating Camila Osorio she faced Paula Badosa . And, although the Spaniard won the match, she lost the second set, overwhelmed by the Canadian: "Can you tell me she's playing better than Sabalenka?" the Catalan said at one point.

It's true that Mboko is a newcomer to the circuit, but she's starting to show signs of what she's capable of . This season, she's already won 5 ITF titles and, although she hasn't won a WTA trophy, she came close in Parma, where she lost the final to Mayar Sherif . But if we take a look at her stats, they're scary: the Canadian has played 42 matches, of which she has won 37 and lost 5. And she does it with a style reminiscent of Serena Williams herself .

But the confirmation that she is a different player came at Roland Garros: with five consecutive victories, she managed to get from the qualifying phase to the third round , where she could not beat the Chinese Qinwen Zheng , current number 7 in the world. And the most important thing is that she does not take her feet off the ground: "I feel very happy, there are many things happening around me, but my family has done a great job keeping me isolated from everything ." The head is fundamental.

With a distinctly baby face and braces in the purest Lamine Yamal style, Mboko has surprised everyone with her monumental playing style . She stands out especially for her powerful shot from the back of the court, with a devastating forehand that, when it runs, finds no rival on the court. In addition, she has quick legs and is skilled at reading the game, making her one of the big names to watch .

With a record of 37 wins and only 5 losses this season, she's one of the biggest surprises in world tennis in 2025. So much so that, by the end of Roland Garros, Victoria Mboko will be among the top 100 players in the world for the first time in her career . The young Canadian has proven her credentials at a major tournament like Paris. And, sooner rather than later, we'll be talking about one of the best players in the world, both in terms of skill and mentality.

"I never expected to get here so quickly into the top 100 , it's very exciting. I think it was my parents who told me, so yes, it's a great achievement. Who wouldn't want to be among the top 100 in the world? You're among the best, you play in the Grand Slams and, for me, it's a great achievement considering that I started the season higher than 300 in the world. It's been a big leap on all levels, so I'm very happy ." She has everything to succeed.