Victoria Mboko’s blog: Injury Woes, my first professional title and being the new girl

Welcome to the latest episode of Victoria Mbokothe blog of. The 16-year-old is progressing on the ITF player pathway and is currently competing in the women’s ITF World Tennis Tour events as well as junior tournaments. She represented Canada at the 2019 ITF World Junior Tennis Final in Prostejov and the 2021 Billie Jean King Junior Cup Final by BNP Paribas in Antalya. Vicky has big ambitions for the future and will regularly write articles for the ITF, giving insight into her tennis journey. Follow his progress here.

I am currently back home and unable to play tennis after suffering a torn tendon in my knee during the Junior Championships, Wimbledon in July. It’s nothing too serious, but I have to rest for the next few weeks.

I know what I need to do to be back on the court as soon as possible, but that doesn’t stop me from being anxious from time to time because there are times when I wake up and just want to go. to run. Unfortunately, I can’t.

That said, the injuries allow me to fully focus and work on the areas of my game that need improvement and I am currently doing a lot of upper body fitness which I hope will be very helpful for the last stages of the season.

The intention is to be fully fit and looking forward to some ITF World Tennis Tour events towards the end of the year where I will try to make a good impression. Maybe I could even bank on my success at W25 Saskatoon – more on that later!

Even though I’ve been struggling with injuries since Wimbledon, when I think back to the past few months, it’s been a very productive time for me, both in junior tennis and, as I say, in the professional ranks.

I reached the singles semi-finals at Wimbledon and US Open Junior Championships where I lost to eventual champions Liv Hovde from the United States and Alexandra Eala from the Philippines respectively.

At SW19, I also reached the doubles final alongside my great friend Kayla’s Crossalthough we terribly lost a decisive match 11-9 against Kenya Angella Okutoyi and Rose Marie Nijkamp From the Netherlands.

As it was at Wimbledon, it was my first main draw appearance at Flushing Meadows – a venue I had never been to before – so I wasn’t expecting too much, especially given my injury, but it was another positive result.

Before the US Open, however, there was a really exciting and important moment in my career when I lifted the silverware for the first time on the ITF World Tennis Tour in Saskatoon.

Again, I didn’t have too many expectations when I started the tournament as it was shortly after Wimbledon and I wasn’t in my best shape, it was more about doing everything that I could.

I really prioritized the mental side of things while I was there, kept my cool and calm, took it game by game and gave myself time between each point. I found I automatically played well as a result and when the final came around I was pretty confident.

I remember not really jumping for joy or anything after winning the tournament but once it kinda flowed I was so happy and my family was so proud of me when I saw them . It was important for them because they sacrificed a lot for me and my career.

Since Saskatoon, I’ve played in two pro events, losing to Claire Liu in the first round of the qualifiers Canadian Open then succumbing to Rebecca Marin in the main draw in the first round at Granby.

This has truly been the story of my summer. Although it has been difficult at times due to injuries, I have had a lot of exposure in women’s tournaments and in matches against more mature opponents.

I have gained so much experience and professional competitions are completely different from junior competitions where I know everyone. On the ITF World Tennis Tour, I’m the new girl that takes some getting used to, even though I feel like a more mature player.

All I need now is for my knee to recover so I can continue my journey. I hope I will be back on the court as soon as possible!