Vicky Mboko Named Among ITF’s Breakthrough Players of 2025

Canadian tennis player Vicky Mboko has been recognized as one of the promising talents in the sport, being named to the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) Class of 2025. Alongside her, Janice Tjen, Lilli Tagger, Arnaud Bailly, and Luka Mikrut have also been selected for this distinction, which highlights their significant achievements on the ITF World Tennis Tour.

The announcement was made this week, showcasing the accomplishments of these five players throughout the year. Mboko, a 19-year-old from Burlington, Ontario, has had a remarkable season. She won four consecutive ITF World Tennis Tour titles early in the year and later triumphed at a WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal. Her impressive performance also included reaching the third round at the French Open. With a record of 62-14 across all competitions this year, she surged from No. 350 in the world rankings at the beginning of the season to her current position at No. 18.

Achievements of Fellow Breakthrough Players

Tjen, aged 23, also made headlines with her formidable performance this year, claiming five ITF World Tennis Tour titles consecutively. She achieved a remarkable 27-match winning streak and made history by becoming the first Indonesian player to compete in a Grand Slam main draw since 2004 at the U.S. Open. There, she defeated No. 24 seed Veronika Kudermetova and later secured her first WTA Tour trophy in November.

Tagger, at just 17 years old, reached the finals of a WTA Tour-level event in Jiujiang, China, marking her as the youngest finalist of the season. Her impressive journey began as a wild-card entry in October. Meanwhile, Bailly, a 20-year-old from Belgium, posted a record of 60-19 and reached nine finals in 2025, elevating his ranking from No. 802 to just outside the top 200.

Mikrut, a 21-year-old from Croatia, dominated the ITF World Tennis Tour by capturing four titles without dropping a set during March and April.

Previous Winners and the Path Ahead

The ITF has recognized various rising stars in the past, including notable players like Mirra Andreeva, Iva Jovic, Learner Tien, and Jakub Mensik. This accolade often marks the beginning of promising careers for these athletes, and the Class of 2025 is expected to follow suit.

Mboko’s recent victory at the Hong Kong Open further solidifies her status as a formidable competitor. She defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa with a score of 7-5, 6-7(9), 6-2 to secure her second WTA title of the season. As she continues her ascent in the tennis world, fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching her journey in the upcoming tournaments.

The recognition from the ITF not only celebrates the accomplishments of these players but also highlights the vibrant future of tennis on the international stage. As they prepare for the challenges ahead, their success stories may inspire the next generation of athletes.