Vicky Mboko has faced several big names early in her career.
Most recently, the teen phenom was tested in February at the Qatar Open, where she battled Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals.
A win over the former French Open champ would launch Mboko into the WTA's top 10, making her just the fourth Canadian woman to reach the milestone.
Fully aware of what was on the line, Mboko remained unfazed by the moment as she beat her counterpart in straight sets.
"It didn't really put any pressure on me whatsoever," Mboko told theScore ahead of her opening match Friday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. "I'm a person who always likes to take it day by day, whether I win or lose.
"There are a lot of girls who are playing really great tennis, and I'm really thankful to be where I am. It's a nice feeling, but there's still a lot more to learn."
Mboko's composure and focus have been defining characteristics in her meteoric rise, helping her climb from 333rd at the start of last year.
The 19-year-old displayed that unwavering mindset when she broke through for the National Bank Open title in Montreal last August.
Mboko took down four major champions - Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, and Sofia Kenin - during her run, applying the same mental approach as the tournament progressed.
That moxie has carried over into this season, evident in her signature victories over Rybakina, Ostapenko, Madison Keys, and Mirra Andreeva.
"When I step on the court, I try to just see them as playing another person," Mboko said of facing the WTA's top players. "Anything can, of course, happen. You just have to believe in yourself. Of course, after the match, you kind of start to realize their accomplishments, and they've had so many great feats, so it's really fun to share the court with them."
Mboko uses each match to gauge where she's at. The Burlington, Ontario, native says she's always looking for an opportunity to learn and build on past experiences.
In January at the Australian Open, Mboko got a chance to see how she stacked up against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.
The match marked Mboko's debut in the second week of a Grand Slam and first-ever meeting versus the four-time major winner. Despite the challenge, she managed to stay competitive with Sabalenka, coming within two points of forcing a deciding set before ultimately falling 6-1, 7-6 (1).
Although the result didn't go in Mboko's favor, the 2025 WTA Newcomer of the Year is confident she'll benefit from the experience in the long run.
"Just getting to feel her ball-striking. Getting to play on a center court in a Grand Slam for the first time, too. That was very new for me," Mboko said. "Just being there and getting to play that kind of match just gave me a lot of experience to prepare myself the next time it happens."
Mboko is also receiving guidance from her coach, Nathalie Tauziat, a former World No. 3 and Wimbledon finalist who started working with Mboko in late 2024.
Tauziat is no stranger to Canadian tennis, having previously coached Eugenie Bouchard and Bianca Andreescu early in their careers. Her arrival has been pivotal as Mboko has made the full-time transition to the WTA Tour.
Mboko says the best piece of insight Tauziat has given her is just to be herself on the court.
Embracing the advice, the two-time WTA titlist is leaning into her versatile skill set. She has the power to take control of points, the patience to counterpunch effectively, the athleticism to cover a wide range of the court, and the finesse to mix in drop shots.
"(Tauziat) kind of works around my game. ... I feel like she's trying to work with what I have to my advantage and not trying to kind of make me play like her," Mboko said. "But it's nice for her to give her outlook on it because she was a former player and she has a different perspective."
Mboko could make more headway over the next 10 days at Indian Wells. The BNP Paribas Open is often referred to as the "fifth Grand Slam" and has served as a stepping stone for many players.
Osaka won her first career title at the 2018 edition of the tournament and went on to capture her inaugural Grand Slam trophy at the US Open several months later. Andreescu repeated the same feat the following year.
WTA 1000 events like the BNP Paribas Open are known for producing extremely competitive early-round matchups. After winning the 2025 National Bank Open title and finishing runner-up at the 2026 Qatar Open, Mboko has proven that she thrives in those high-pressure environments.
"In tournaments like these, you're always going to play someone who's (at) a really good level, and you always have to bring your A-game," Mboko said. "You can't really get away with small, silly mistakes in the match. Just playing this kind of level and (top) players consistently helps me improve and others too."
