Victoria Mboko

Press Conference

V. MBOKO/K. Birrell

6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Vicky, thanks for coming up in before doubles. Quick overall assessment of that singles match.

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, well, this is the third time I have played Kim, so it wasn't very easy. She played a very solid match. I know she's a solid player, so going into it I knew what to expect.

I felt like at moments I had to really step up my game, so I'm really happy to have gotten the win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I'm working on a story on the popularity of tennis in Canada. Do you feel that you and Diallo and some of the other players who are on the younger side are really bringing a spark to that popularity?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Well, I think definitely tennis, I feel like it's pretty popular, but maybe it could be a little bit more popular. But I feel like, in a way, we kind of bring more popularity.

Of course playing in Canada, and I mean, for example, me winning in Canada, I think that kind of brought a lot of attention to people who don't really watch tennis, so I feel like if we're able to kind of bring more attention and kind of popularity and inspire younger kids, I think that's great, especially in such a diverse country and there is so many opportunities, and yeah.

Q. Just wondered how different you found it this year? Obviously last year was kind of a breakthrough and maybe you were an unknown quantity. Whereas this year you're highly ranked and players know more about you. Wonder how that's changed things for you?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I don't really see it much that way. Everything is still relatively new to me, because I have basically only spent, like, a year on tour. It doesn't really feel like I have to prove something, because every tournament so far I have played was just for the first time.

Yeah, I mean, I'm just enjoying playing on the tour, just getting the experience playing higher-ranked players. I think it's a process.

Q. Do you feel any more pressure at a tournament like this, whereas last year it might be like, Oh, if I win a match, it's a bonus, whereas now you're expected to go deep?

VICTORIA MBOKO: No, not really, because there is many instances -- everyone is good. Everyone wants to, of course, beat you. They want to play well against you.

I feel like anything can happen. It's not like I expect to win every single tournament every single week, and that's almost quite impossible.

Yeah, I just take it week by week. If it's not my week, then you just move on. You just try to find the positives in it.

Q. I talked to Mirra Andreeva about this, and you guys had a really great match during the Middle Eastern swing, and you're friends. What is the importance of having someone who is a rival that can push you but then also have friends on tour your age, you being so young and being a pro athlete?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I feel like I don't really see her that much as a rival. She's just a friend that is playing the same level as me, and I feel like we both root for each other and are always supporting each other.

It's nice to have, I guess, players around your age that you grew up playing with at this level, because, I mean, you have known them for such a long time, and you can kind of relate to them, in a sense.

Yeah, I mean, I hope in the future we can both keep competing against each other and push each other to do better. Yeah, she's a really nice girl. Yeah, I always hope the best for her.

Q. You're playing doubles here together as well. Are you going to try and do that more this season?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, it kind of just came really randomly. I wasn't actually planning on playing doubles here, but she asked me pretty last minute. I was, like, Sure, why not? Get some extra matches in.

Yeah, I'm sure it will be fun. She's a great doubles player and has some really great doubles results. I'm also kind of just starting out and trying to find my footing in doubles and just trying to play as many matches as I can whenever I can. Yeah, we'll see.

Q. I know you only have a one-match sample size, but how do you feel your game suits the court and the conditions here?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, well, it was my first time playing a match here, and it was a bit weird for me. It was a bit windy. Courts felt a little slower, but I guess it's just about adaptability. I'm sure the more matches I'll play on here, I'll get used to them.

So far, it's not too bad (smiling).

Q. There are a lot of Canadians that live here, snowbirds, as they're called. Have you sensed that this week and today?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, it feels really nice. Actually, on the flight on the way here, most of the people flying from Toronto were here for the event, so it was really nice to see a lot of Canadian flags.

Surprisingly, there is a lot of Canadians that live here too. That's really cool.

Honestly, after today, it made me feel like I was playing a bit at home. It was really nice to receive that kind of support.