Serena Williams’ ex-coach predicts how high Victoria Mboko can reach in the rankings
Victoria Mboko is on an incredible run of form and it’s continuing at the Qatar Open, where she awaits Elena Rybakina in the quarter-final.
The Canadian has defeated Mirra Andreeva, Vera Zvonareva, and Marie Bouzková to reach the last eight of the first WTA 1000 event of the year.
Mboko, who also played doubles with Gauff in Qatar, has now won as many matches as world number one Aryna Sabalenka since her Canadian Open success last summer.
Tennis hall of fame coach, Rick Macci, has now made a prediction about how high up the rankings Mboko can reach.
Rick Macci says Victoria Mboko will be world number one
Macci has been as impressed as fans and pundits about Mboko’s recent run, which has seen her lift the Canadian Open and the Hong Kong Open.
The American icon believes the teenager can reach the top of the rankings after making his top 20 debut at the turn of the year.
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“Mboko has the raw firepower on the three big ticket items that spells a future number one,” wrote the legendary tennis coach on x.
Macci cited Mboko’s quickness around the court as one of the key reasons she could reach the summit of the WTA Tour rankings.
Serena Williams’ former coach added: “Add in great make up speed to live another day and Vic the quick is here to stay.”
Mboko has won 27 matches on the WTA Tour since the Canadian Open, which is more than anyone else except Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina.
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Mboko faces a tough test against Rybakina in Qatar next, but there could be a silver lining for the Canadian star.
The teenager’s only victory against Rybakina came in the semi-final of the Canadian Open, before Mboko lifted the trophy.
If Mboko does find a way past Rybakina, she will be hopeful of making yet another WTA 1000 final, this time in Qatar.
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Awaiting the winner of Mboko or Rybakina will be either Jelena Ostapenko or Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who will be the ultimate underdog against either opponent.
Ostapenko is unseeded, and also still active in the doubles, while Cocciaretto has made full use of his lucky loser status.
However, Mboko will fancy her chances against either of them if she can find a way past Rybakina in the last eight.
