ROLAND GARROS

May 26, 2026

Victoria Mboko

Press Conference

V. MBOKO/N. Bartunkova

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Vicky, congratulations.

VICTORIA MBOKO: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Can you talk about what you thought of your performance and what gave you an advantage today?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I feel like throughout today I played pretty solid. I know going into the match Nikola is a really great competitor, and she's a really great player. I just wanted to stay composed and try to follow the game plan and try to do what was possible to win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. I have a particular question on your coach, Wim Fissette, what's it like working with him, and is there a specific part of your game that he's focusing on at the moment right now?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yeah, I mean, working with Wim, it's been very fun so far. He's very understanding, and he's very experienced. I feel like I can learn a lot from him. He's so knowledgeable.

I started working with him in the last tournament, so it's hard to kind of specifically work on something while you're playing tournaments, but you know, I really like how he's working with my strengths and what I'm good at, and we try to kind of make it better and use it to my advantage.

I feel like it's really helped me, and it's really been giving me a lot of confidence on the court with just getting better each day a little bit by a little bit of what we can do to, I don't know, make me more aggressive or these little tweaks here and there.

But, I mean, of course there's things that we discuss that maybe in a training block we could work on more when we're not at a tournament.

Q. Was there a specific reason why you would like to work with him?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Well, I mean, he's been on tour for such a long time. He's worked with so many top players. You know, I feel like I kind of want someone to kind of guide me to become better.

He's won many Grand Slams with so many great players. Yeah, I think, he just has a lot of knowledge.

Q. How comfortable do you feel on clay? Does it feel natural for you already?

VICTORIA MBOKO: I wouldn't say it feels natural, no (smiling). I think every day it's getting better. I could say now compared to how I started the clay season, I could say feel a lot better on clay than I normally do.

I wouldn't say it's my favorite surface, no, but I think just day by day playing each match, it's getting better and better. But I wouldn't fully say that I'm completely comfortable on clay yet.

Q. More specific, what's tricky for you on clay?

VICTORIA MBOKO: What's tricky? I think a lot of things. The movement, the bounces, the unpredictability.

Yeah, I feel like I've always just felt more comfortable on hard court because you just have a lot more grip on the court and you're able to change direction fast.

Yeah, I think on clay you just have to be more patient, more physical, and it just takes a lot more out of your body.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in French.

Q. So this is a very demanding surface for the body. We know you have a few physical problems in your very young career. Is there a particular way of working on clay to avoid injuries?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yes, I think that clay is more physical, and there are lots of rallies. You have to really move around the court a lot more than on hard courts.

I think that this opens up to injuries. I currently have an injury in my shoulder, because it's a little bit difficult with the ball and the surface. It's very tough.

So I think that I need to work on my fitness, and I need to improve.

Q. You also went through the academy of Justine Henin. That's a relationship there with Belgium. Why did you go there?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Yes, I enjoyed my time in Justine Henin's academy. What's your question?

Q. Why is there this link between you and Belgium?

VICTORIA MBOKO: Well, it isn't much. It's just a coincidence. There's no real connection there.