We need to talk about Victoria Mboko's backhand

Despite falling in the final to an in-form Karolina Muchova in Doha on Sunday, Victoria Mboko has shown the women's tour that she means business. After stunning wins against back-to-back top-10 opponents - including 2026 Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina - Mboko secured her own spot in the top 10 with a victory against the inimitable Jelena Ostapenko.

The Canadian teenager's meteoric rise can be attributed to many things: she's fast and strong with a remarkable tennis IQ; she's aggressive but can counter-punch as well as the rest; she serves well. However, Mboko's ability to redirect her backhand, seemingly at will, may be her secret weapon. There are plenty of big hitters on the tour whose backhands have more speed and RPMs than Mboko's (Amanda Anisimova, Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys come to mind), but they prefer to hit the safer, more natural crosscourt ball. Mboko is much more likely to take a risk, often opting for a down-the-line backhand on just her first or second opportunity in the rally.

During Mboko's breakout at the 2025 National Bank Open, she relied heavily on this shot in the most crucial moments, redirecting the ball to gain offensive position or finish the point outright. She did much of the same last week in Doha, even against formidable opponents like Rybakina, whose backhand is world-class in its own right.

Mboko's ability to use her wrist and forearm to create power and control is reminiscent of Naomi Osaka or Novak Djokovic, players seemingly able to hit a backhand to anywhere in the court, from anywhere in the court. Venus Williams, too, uses her down-the-line backhand to devastating effect. To be compared to such iconic players at just 19 years old is more than an impressive feat.

At the beginning of last year, Mboko was ranked outside the world's top 300. As she enters the top 10, climbing the ladder becomes harder still. If the last year has been any indication, she's up for the challenge.

After withdrawing from the Dubai Tennis Championships this week, Mboko's next chance to take the court will be at the WTA 500 event in Mérida.