Victoria Mboko reveals: Was in hospital before big final

Victoria Mboko had already done the unusual by playing her way into the Canadian Open final as a wildcard. 

But it wasn’t only names like Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina that she had to overcome along the way.

The 18-year-old Canadian also battled something far more tangible in the form of a sprained wrist.

During the semi-final against Rybakina, Mboko had fallen awkwardly. 

Many noticed it, but few had imagined it would make any significant difference.

Still, she woke up on the day of the final with a swollen wrist that was so stiff she couldn’t move it properly.

Victoria Mboko takes a medical timeout after hurting her wrist. pic.twitter.com/LJILhxT3Wv

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 7, 2025

A showdown with uncertainty and pain

According to The Tennis Gazette, Mboko was rushed in for both an MRI and an X-ray scan early the same morning. 

The goal was to find out whether she would even be able to play in the final. 

After getting the green light from the doctors, she was quickly taped up and treated by the tournament’s physiotherapists. 

At the press conference after the victory, she explained matter-of-factly: 

– I woke up with swelling, and it was really hard to move my wrist. So we went to the hospital to make sure it wasn’t anything serious.

Mboko also explained that she still felt discomfort during the match, but she refused to let it take over her focus:

– I tried to push it out of my mind. It was a final. I just said to myself that there was only one match left. 

Victory over a star and the start of something new

Mboko ended up beating Osaka in the final, and besides the title and honour she also won a prize sum of about 4.2 million kroner. 

It was a clash between two different stages of their careers. 

On the one hand, Mboko was new to the spotlight with everything to prove. 

On the other hand, there was the four-time Grand Slam winner Osaka, who is still trying to rediscover her former form after her maternity leave. 

Naomi Osaka later chose not to attend the mandatory press conference, which triggered criticism from several quarters, but Mboko was understanding of the Japanese player’s decision: 

– If that was her choice, then I respect it. I still think she’s an amazing player. 

Mboko now moves up into the world’s top 30 players and is guaranteed direct entry into the US Open.