The prediction Paula Badosa made about Victoria Mboko after playing her at the Miami Open that’s already come true

The prediction Paula Badosa made about Victoria Mboko after playing her at the Miami Open that’s already come true

Victoria Mboko is through to her first WTA-1000 final after defeating Elena Rybakina on Thursday night.

The 18-year-old has produced a stunning week of tennis in Canada, eliminating three Grand Slam singles champions on her way to the final.

There have been whispers about Mboko’s burgeoning talent throughout the 2025 season.

After all, the Canadian starlet started the season on a 22-match win streak, capturing five ITF titles. The 18-year-old has also notched multiple Grand Slam main draw victories in 2025.

Victoria Mboko of Canada celebrates her victory against Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan during their semifinal singles women's match on Day Eleven of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at IGA Stadium on August 6, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images

Paula Badosa, who won a hard-fought contest against Mboko in March, made a prediction about the 18-year-old which has already been realised

Paula Badosa said Victoria Mboko would be ‘at the top very soon’

In March, Paula Badosa and Victoria Mboko played each other for the first time in their careers.

The pair met in the round of 64 at the Miami Open. Mboko had beaten Camila Osorio, while Badosa was given a first-round bye.

After taking the first set 7-5, the Spaniard was stunned by Mboko, losing the second set 1-6. However, Badosa ultimately claimed the match on a third-set tiebreak.

Paula Badosa of Spain reacts during her match against Victoria Mboko of Canada on Day 4 of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images

Stephen Boughton, host of ‘The Slice Tennis’ podcast, revealed a conversation Paula Badosa had with him after her contest against Mboko.

Boughton said: “In Miami I ran into Paula Badosa in the elevator right after she’d played Victoria Mboko and I asked her about her.

“I said ‘what do you think about Vicky?’

“And she’s like ‘oh she’s incredible, she’s incredible, she’s going to be at the top very soon.’

“So, she’s a prophet, Badosa. Victoria Mboko’s now in the top 50, beat Coco Gauff, made the run in the semis of a Masters 1000.

“So you know the writing was on the wall you know even only four or five months ago in March, but she had a wildcard into that tournament, isn’t going to need wildcards anymore.

“Yeah, and Victoria Mboko is big time.”

Mboko, ranked 85 in the world, is projected to rise to 34 after defeating Rybakina. She may rise even further if she beats Naomi Osaka in the Canadian Open final.

What Paula Badosa told Victoria Mboko at the net

Speaking to the Tennis Channel following her victory over Mboko, Badosa expressed her surprise at the level of her opponent.

The presenter said: “Boy, did you have to fight out there today.”

The Spaniard replied: I really did and I have to give credit to her [Mboko], what a player. What a player, honestly.

“I was really shocked. Okay, it was my first match after injury, after a while. I know I need some matches. But I felt she was playing unbelievable tennis, very good potential, fearless, and I had no other option [but] to fight until the end.”

Badosa also shared what she had told the 18-year-old at the net.

She said: “I was really impressed with her level. I told her to keep working because she’s going to the top. She has everything to be at the top.

“I know what it takes to be at the top but I know also the level you need and I think she has every conditions to be there.”

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