Ben Shelton and Victoria Mboko both captured their first major titles on the same day, in different cities, but their victories were unexpectedly linked by a surreal moment. As Shelton battled Karen Khachanov in the Toronto final, the crowd erupted mid-match—not for a point won in their own stadium, but for Mboko’s stunning victory over Naomi Osaka in Montreal. The celebration was so loud it paused play, leaving Shelton momentarily confused.
Confusion in Toronto as Montreal Celebrates
During the second set of the Toronto final, a sudden wave of cheers swept through the stadium. Shelton, in the middle of a tense rally, looked around in disbelief. The applause wasn’t for him or his opponent—it was for Mboko, who had just clinched her title in Montreal. For a brief moment, the energy of one city spilled into another, and Shelton admitted afterward that he had no idea what was happening. “I had no idea what was going on at the time 😂 but Toronto went nuts for you 🙏🏽,” he later wrote to Mboko.
Shelton’s Lighthearted Message
After clinching his own title, Shelton took to Instagram to congratulate Mboko. His message captured the humor and warmth of the moment, acknowledging the crowd’s overwhelming support for the 18-year-old Canadian star. It was a rare and joyful crossover between two finals, highlighting the camaraderie and shared excitement within the tennis community.
Two Young Champions, One Unforgettable Day
Both players had entered their respective tournaments without being considered favorites. Mboko, a wild card in Montreal, defeated four Grand Slam champions en route to her first WTA 1000 title. Shelton, meanwhile, overcame a tough draw in Toronto to win his first Masters 1000 crown. Their parallel journeys culminated in a day that showcased the future of tennis.
Crowd Energy Unites Cities
The Toronto crowd’s reaction to Mboko’s win highlighted the unity and passion of Canadian tennis fans. Even in a different city, her victory resonated so strongly that it interrupted another final. Shelton’s good-natured response added to the charm of the moment, showing how the sport can connect players and fans across borders.
Victoria Mboko in 2025
Currently ranked no.85 (career-high), Victoria played her last match on the 7th of August when she overcame world no.49 Naomi Osaka 2-6 6-4 6-1 in the final in Montreal to win her 12th challenger.
Currently, during this year the Canadian has managed to achieve a compiled 53-9 win-loss record. The Canadian conquered 6 titles in 2025 in the W35 Le Lamentin, the Bourg, the W75 Rome, the W35 Manchester, the W75 Porto and Montreal. Mboko got to the final in the Parma.
Shelton in Cincinnati, ranking, and results in 2025
Currently the world no.7 (career-high), Ben owns a composed 32-16 match record in 2025. The American is participating in Cincinnati where he toppled
Ben Shelton will compete against the world no.47 Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the 2nd round. They have never competed against each other until now in top tournaments.
Shelton has won 1 title in 2025 in Toronto. Ben was the finalist in Munich (BMW Open).