Victoria Mboko will not defend her title at the Canadian Open 2026. The World No. 10 announced her withdrawal on Instagram Tuesday, citing a lingering left knee MCL injury.
Queen's Club Injury Continues to Sideline Mboko
Mboko sustained the injury last month at Queen's Club after slipping on the grass during a match against Karolina Pliskova. That fall ended her grass-court season, and her planned doubles run at the HSBC Championships with Serena Williams. Now, the setback will keep her out of the entire North American hard-court swing.
The National Bank Open, which runs August 2nd through August 13th, holds special meaning for the Toronto native.
"Knowing that I won't be able to play this year, it's very saddening," Mboko said. "But I feel like I have so many more years ahead of me to play this tournament."
Mboko's WTA Rankings Rise Halted
Her disappointment is understandable given her rapid climb in the WTA rankings.
Last summer in Montreal, the then-18-year-old entered as a wild-card ranked No. 85. She defeated four Grand Slam champions in Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka to capture her first career title. That run propelled her into the Top 10 by February, and she has since reached three singles finals in 2026.
Though MCL injury pauses her momentum, Mboko promised her hometown fans she will return stronger.
