Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard has publicly backed rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko as a player to watch at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where main-draw action begins March 4.
Mboko, just 19 years old and newly inside the WTA Top 10, has made significant strides on the tour over the past year. She captured her first WTA 1000 title at the 2025 National Bank Open in Montreal and has already reached two WTA 1000 finals.
Bouchard, who broke into the world’s top ranks as a teenager herself, sees strong parallels in Mboko’s development. She noted Mboko’s rapid rise and recent results as evidence that the young Canadian could make a deep run in the California desert.
“Victoria just broke into the Top 10 and has already reached two WTA 1000 finals, including a big win in Canada last summer,” Bouchard said. She added that there is reason to believe Mboko’s best tennis is still ahead.
Indian Wells represents a key opportunity for Mboko to reinforce her place among the sport’s elite. A strong showing at the prestigious WTA 1000 event would underline that her breakout 2025 season was no accident and that she can compete consistently at the highest level.
With this momentum and high expectations from fans and former stars alike, Mboko enters the tournament not just as a promising newcomer, but as a contender in her own right.
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