Victoria Mboko happy to progress after tough opener at Indian Wells

The teenager insisting she is keeping a level head despite her impressively rapid rise up the rankings.

"I'm a person who always likes to take it day by day, whether I win or lose," said Mboko.

"There are a lot of girls who are playing really great tennis, and I'm really thankful to be where I am. It's a nice feeling, but there's still a lot more to learn.

"When I step on the court, I try to just see them as playing another person.

"Anything can, of course, happen. You just have to believe in yourself. Of course, after the match, you kind of start to realize their accomplishments, and they've had so many great feats, so it's really fun to share the court with them."

Former WTA Tour player Nathalie Tauziat is working with Mboko and the youngster praised the impact she has had on her game.

"I feel like she's trying to work with what I have to my advantage and not trying to kind of make me play like her," added Mboko, as she spoke about her coach.

"It's nice for her to give her outlook on it because she was a former player and she has a different perspective."

With limited ranking points to defend from this time last year, Mboko has a big chance to make even more progress into the top 10 over the course of the current event at Indian Wells and then at the WTA 1000 Miami Open later this month.

READ MORE: Jannik Sinner makes quick work of Indian Wells opener