What Coco Gauff said to Victoria Mboko at the net after losing to her at the Canadian Open

In a moment that captured the spirit of true sportsmanship and mutual respect, Coco Gauff had a classy exchange with Victoria Mboko at the net after her shocking defeat at the 2025 Canadian Open. The match ended in dramatic fashion as 17-year-old wildcard Mboko stunned top-seeded Gauff in straight sets to book her spot in the quarter-finals. But while the tennis world buzzed about the upset, fans also took notice of what happened right after match point.

Following the loss, Coco Gauff walked to the net with grace and composure despite the disappointment. As the crowd roared for the Canadian teenager’s victory, Gauff was seen congratulating Mboko with a warm hug and a few kind words. According to lip-readers and post-match interviews, Gauff told her, “You played amazing today. Keep going, you’ve got a bright future.”

Gauff’s comment was a gesture of genuine admiration for Mboko’s performance, and it didn’t go unnoticed. The 20-year-old American, known for her maturity on and off the court, has often praised younger players who rise to the occasion. Mboko, visibly emotional after the win, responded with a humble, “Thank you, it means a lot.”

This brief but powerful exchange has since gone viral on tennis social media, with fans praising Gauff’s grace in defeat and highlighting the moment as a sign of respect between rising stars of the WTA Tour.

Victoria Mboko later reflected on the interaction, saying, “Coco’s words meant so much. She’s someone I’ve looked up to for years, and to hear that from her after such a big win… it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Despite the surprising result, Gauff remains one of the top contenders heading into the US Open 2025, and her response to the loss only solidifies her reputation as a class act. Meanwhile, Mboko’s rise is now one of the hottest stories in tennis, with many wondering how far she can go this season.

The moment at the net between Gauff and Mboko is a reminder that beyond the fierce competition, tennis remains a sport of integrity and mutual respect. And as the Canadian Open continues, it’s moments like these that truly define the beauty of the game.