Defending champion Mboko to miss National Bank Open
Defending champion Victoria Mboko will not play the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto, the WTA confirmed Tuesday, as she continues recovering from a left-knee MCL injury suffered at Queen's Club. The World No. 10's withdrawal affects WTA live rankings ahead of the Aug. 2–13 hard-court event and removes a home-soil title defense from the draw.
Mboko announced the news on Instagram, writing that the Toronto event "means everything" to her. Tennis Canada confirmed the withdrawal the same day, weeks before play begins at Sobeys Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- World No. 10 Victoria Mboko withdrew from the National Bank Open in Toronto due to a left-knee MCL injury.
- The 19-year-old cannot defend the WTA 1000 title she won in Montreal in 2025 as a wild card.
- Mboko's absence extends a layoff that already ended her grass-court season, including Wimbledon.
- The Toronto women's event runs Aug. 2–13, the first major hard-court stop before the US Open.
- On the men's side in Montreal, Carlos Alcaraz is nearing a potential comeback from wrist injury.
Why is Victoria Mboko missing the National Bank Open?
Mboko is still rehabilitating the medial collateral ligament in her left knee. She sustained the injury last month at Queen's Club in London, slipping on the grass during a singles match against Karolina Pliskova.
The fall forced her out of the rest of the grass-court season and ended a doubles run alongside Serena Williams at the same event. Recovery has not progressed quickly enough for her to return for Toronto.
"Not being able to play at home this summer in front of the people I love and with the support of the Toronto crowd is deeply disappointing," Mboko wrote on Instagram.
What does Mboko's withdrawal mean for WTA live rankings?
Mboko currently sits at No. 10 in the WTA live rankings, a position she built through a breakout 2025 season. Missing a WTA 1000 event where she is defending champion removes a major opportunity to protect that standing.
Without a title defense in Toronto, she cannot add fresh ranking points at one of the tour's biggest stages outside the Grand Slams. Rivals climbing during the North American hard-court swing could gain ground while she remains sidelined.
Tournament organizers plan to release the 96-player singles entry list on Wednesday, clarifying who will fill the void in the draw.
How is the wider Canadian Open field affected?
The National Bank Open splits across two cities: Montreal hosts the men's draw and Toronto the women's, both from Aug. 2 through Aug. 13. Mboko's exit is a setback for a tournament that serves as the first major hard-court event before the US Open.
Tournament director Karl Hale said organizers were "especially disappointed" because fans had been eager to watch Mboko defend her title in her hometown. "We wish Vicky the very best with her recovery," Hale said in a statement reported by Sportsnet.
There is brighter news on the men's side. According to Mundo Deportivo, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled for a medical evaluation that could clear him to resume full training and target a Montreal return.
What does recovery look like for elite athletes with MCL injuries?
Mboko's decision to extend her layoff rather than rush back mirrors a trend among top players prioritizing long-term joint health over short-term appearances. Alcaraz has taken a similarly cautious approach, focusing on complete recovery before the North American swing.
For athletes managing career longevity, structured rehabilitation timelines often matter more than calendar pressure—an approach explored in our Longevity & Biohacking coverage of recovery science.
Mboko, who grew up attending the Toronto event, struck a forward-looking tone. "I feel like I have so many more years ahead of me to play this tournament," she wrote. At 19, the Burlington, Ontario native still has a long runway—provided her knee heals fully.