Defending champion Victoria Mboko will miss next month’s National Bank Open in Toronto, she announced on social media on Tuesday. The World No. 10 shared her deep disappointment regarding her absence from the WTA 1000 event, which holds particular significance for the Canadian player.
Mboko, who sensationally won the Omnium Banque Nationale as a wild card last year, will be unable to participate due to a left knee injury. The tournament, part of the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz season, is scheduled to begin on August 2 and run through August 13.
Mboko’s Rapid Ascent Through the Rankings
Mboko’s trajectory in the PIF WTA Rankings has been remarkable; she commenced 2025 ranked No. 333 before making her Top 10 debut in February. Last year, in what was described as perhaps the biggest surprise of the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz season, the then-18-year-old won the Omnium Banque Nationale, played in Montreal, as a wild card.
En route to securing the first title of her career, Mboko demonstrated exceptional form, beating four Grand Slam champions: Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka. Her success continued three months later when she added a second title to her name in Hong Kong.
This year has also seen the Canadian maintain strong performances, having reached a trio of finals in Adelaide, Doha, and Strasbourg. These consistent results contributed to her achieving a place within the sport’s elite, marking her Top 10 debut.
Injury Halts Season’s Momentum
However, Mboko’s momentum was disrupted last month at Queen’s Club. A day after winning her opening-round doubles match alongside Serena Williams, Mboko suffered a left knee injury. The incident occurred after she slipped on the grass during a match against Karolina Pliskova.
She later revealed that the injury was an MCL issue, which subsequently caused her to miss the remainder of the grass season. Her enforced absence will now unfortunately extend into the Hard-Court Swing, impacting her participation in further tournaments.
Deep Disappointment Over Toronto Withdrawal
Expressing her profound feelings about missing the National Bank Open, Mboko stated on Instagram: “Some tournaments mean a little more than others. But the @nbotoronto means everything to me.” She conveyed the personal impact of her withdrawal, noting, “Not being able to play at home this summer in front of the people I love and with the support of the Toronto crowd is deeply disappointing as it has been something I’ve been looking so much forward to.”
In a Wilson-branded video that accompanied her Instagram post, Mboko elaborated on the emotional toll, saying: “Everything kind of happened so fast. There were so many emotions going through my mind.” She further reflected on her personal connection to the tournament, stating, “Toronto was a tournament that I always went to growing up. The National Bank Open also holds a special place in my heart.”
Acknowledging the sadness of her current situation, Mboko shared: “Knowing that I won’t be able to play this year, it’s very saddening.” Despite the setback, the World No. 10 maintained a resolute outlook for her future in the sport. “It’s only a little setback, and I want to be a better person out of this,” she affirmed, adding, “But I feel like I have so many more years ahead of me to play this tournament.”
Mboko concluded her message with a forward-looking statement: “I am sharing this message with you as this is a part of my journey, one that has just started. I will be back…!❤️” The WTA 1000 National Bank Open Presented by Rogers is set to proceed without its defending champion.