Victoria Mboko confirms World Team Tennis

Victoria Mboko is set to return to competition at the World Team Tennis exhibition in December. The 20-year-old Canadian, who has been sidelined since an MCL injury to her left knee at the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships, will not play another WTA Tour match until 2027.

Mboko withdrew from the Wuhan Open and may not play on the WTA Tour again in 2026. Her comeback will instead occur in the team exhibition format. "Victoria Mboko is nearing a return to competition after being on the sidelines with injury," she said.

World Team Tennis revival details

The 2026 World Team Tennis exhibition returns across North America from December 1-15. This marks the league's return after a four-year absence; its last season was in 2021 before a shutdown caused by complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The league, founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King and others as a mixed-gender professional competition, is reviving original teams from its inaugural season. It has previously featured legends like Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors. The 2026 event will feature three teams: Florida Flamingos, New York Empire, and Toronto North. Each match will consist of four singles sets followed by a mixed doubles Supertiebreaker.

Mboko joins Toronto North team

Mboko will compete for the Toronto North team. Her teammates will be Leylah Fernandez, Denis Shapovalov, and Gabriel Diallo. The return features a mix of established ATP and WTA players, including Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe.

Mboko reached a year-end ranking of world number 18 in 2025 after winning two titles, including the Canadian Open. She broke into the top 10 in 2026 after reaching three WTA finals. She holds a 4-6 record against American players in WTA Tour matches, though she has lost her three most recent matches against them.

Key matchups and team roles

Coco Gauff, ranked world No. 4, will play for the Florida Flamingos and has a role beyond the court as part of the team's ownership group. The Florida Flamingos will host matches at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise and will wear pink and deep burgundy.

Gauff is scheduled to play against Toronto North on December 14 and the New York Empire on December 15. In her two home appearances, Gauff will face Leylah Fernandez and Jessica Pegula. Gauff expressed excitement about playing as part of a team and engaging fans.

Mboko and Gauff have split their two previous meetings. Mboko beat Gauff en route to her Canadian Open title victory, but lost to Gauff in their first meeting at the Italian Open last year. In the World Team Tennis format, Mboko will also play doubles with Denis Shapovalov against pairs including Jessica Pegula & Frances Tiafoe, Jessica Pegula & Taylor Fritz, Iva Jovic & Brandon Nakashima, and Coco Gauff & Learner Tien.

The league aims to grow the sport through team competition and increase accessibility. Mboko's participation in the December exhibition marks her first step back into competitive tennis.