QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 14, 2026

Victoria Mboko

Press Conference

K. MUCHOVA/V. Mboko

6-4, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Vicky, despite the result today, can you just look back through the whole week, and there's a lot of achievements you've made this week.

VICTORIA MBOKO: Looking back at everything, it was a positive week. Karolina played really great tennis, so I have to give props to her. Yeah, I think it's still the beginning of the year, there's still the rest of the season. I think right now it's just important to improve and move forward and work on things that need to be worked on and, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You mentioned on court that this was overall a positive week for you. What were some of those positives that you can elaborate on?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, making it to the finals is generally a positive thing, it's never a negative. She played really great tennis. Playing top-10 players, my first time here too, so I didn't have many expectations on myself.

Q. Obviously the score was relatively close. What do you think was the difference tonight?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I think she was just sharper on the most important points. She was able to stay solid in those points where I think I was missing a lot more than her. She had some really great shots that put me on defense and, yeah.

Q. Throughout this tournament you have beaten some different kind of players, like Mirra and Rybakina. But Muchova, she has a different play style. Can you talk a little bit about what kind of a challenge do you have to face playing against her?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, she has a lot of variety on her shots. Coming from playing Rybakina and Ostapenko and then playing her, I think it's a bit different in game style you have to adapt to. I think she has a pretty all-around game, a pretty complete game. She can play offense, defense, and she can slice and change things up, so it really caught me off guard, so, yeah.

Q. We are so, so, so proud of you. All the Gulf girls say hi to you, and they are so proud of you. What was your expectation about Qatari ladies before you came here, and until this minute?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, coming into this tournament actually I didn't think there was going to be that many people coming to the match. I was surprised there were so many people cheering for me too throughout the tournament, which was amazing. I think that was one of the best support I got from outside of Canada. That was just amazing, and that's something I won't ever forget. It would definitely motivate me to come back here next year, and of course you'll be seeing me next year. No, I'm excited, and I think it was a very great outcome. The country, the people, it was just amazing.

Q. To that end, were you able to explore the city at all on your off days, and if so what were your favorite memories?

VICTORIA MBOKO: I wasn't able to.

Q. How did you spend your off days?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Mostly resting, recovery, fitness.

Q. Did you watch any TV shows or movies?

VICTORIA MBOKO: No, not really.

Q. Last year when you were playing on the tour you were probably the underdog, not expected to win. Now you're in a position where you're expected to win a lot of matches you play against lower-ranked players. What's that mindset change like? How do you feel in that position being the favorite in many matches?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I understand why I would be the favorite now most of the time. But there's still so many talented girls out there, and it's tennis, anything can happen. If I was the underdog and being able to play many top players and having a chance to win, I mean, many other people have that opportunity too. I'm not putting much pressure on myself, I just want to go out there and play.