Coco Gauff delivered a standout performance at the Miami Open, but it was what she revealed afterward that truly caught attention.
Fresh off a hard-fought victory, the young star opened up about a personal struggle that doesn’t always match her success on paper.
Despite already building an impressive résumé, Gauff admitted she’s still learning how to fully believe in herself, offering a rare glimpse into the mindset behind one of tennis’ brightest talents.
Coco Gauff Admits ‘Imposter Syndrome’ After Breakthrough Win
Coco Gauff’s biggest revelation came not from her racket, but from her honesty.
After defeating Belinda Bencic to reach the Miami Open semifinals for the first time, the 22-year-old admitted she sometimes struggles to feel like she truly belongs at the top level.
“I have to believe that I belong where I am. I think sometimes I can get imposter syndrome,” Gauff said during her press conference, per PEOPLE.
She explained that even hearing her accomplishments listed before matches can feel surreal, adding that it doesn’t always feel like it reflects her reality.
That internal conflict becomes even more pronounced when she’s focused on improving aspects of her game, particularly her serve.
In those moments, she said it can feel like she shouldn’t be where she is, despite the results proving otherwise.
Still, Gauff acknowledged that the sport itself keeps her grounded, noting that performance ultimately speaks for itself.
Gauff Credits Coaches For Keeping Her Grounded
While Coco Gauff is navigating those doubts, she isn’t doing it alone. The young star revealed that her coaching team has played a key role in helping her stay confident, even when she struggles to see it herself.
“My coaches have been reminding me, like, ‘Remember who you are,’ and ‘You’re a good player,’” she shared.
Those reminders have become part of her daily mindset, even if fully embracing them remains a work in progress.
Gauff admitted that belief isn’t always consistent. Some days, she fully trusts in her ability, while other days, the doubts creep back in.
For her, the challenge now is finding a way to hold onto that confidence more steadily, especially as expectations continue to rise with each deep tournament run.
Coco Gauff Powers Through Tough Match To Reach Miami Semis
Gauff’s candid confession came after a gritty performance on court. She defeated Bencic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in a match that tested her resilience and adaptability.
The win secured her a place in the Miami Open semifinals for the first time in her career.
Speaking after the match, Gauff admitted the result exceeded her own expectations. “I didn’t think I would be in the semis, so I’m really happy and proud of myself,” she told the Tennis Channel.
She also pointed to steady improvement throughout the tournament, noting that her level has continued to rise even in matches that stretch to three sets.
The victory sets up a semifinal clash against Karolina Muchova, as Gauff looks to continue building momentum at a tournament where she’s already made history as one of the youngest Americans to reach this stage since Serena Williams in 2004.
Gauff Overcomes Injury Concerns Heading Into Tournament
Coco Gauff’s Miami run is even more impressive considering the uncertainty surrounding her health just weeks earlier.
The tennis superstar had been forced to retire from a match at Indian Wells due to an arm issue, raising questions about her readiness for the next event.
Ahead of the Miami Open, Gauff clarified the situation, explaining that the problem was related to a nerve issue.
She noted that while the discomfort hasn’t completely disappeared, it has improved significantly with time.
“It was a nerve thing, like I said immediately after the match,” she explained. “Every day is different. But for the most part, I’ll be fine playing this tournament.”
She added that while she still felt it occasionally during matches, the pain had been easing day by day, allowing her to compete at a high level.
Claressa Shields Weighs In On Coco Gauff Privacy Debate After Viral Australian Open Moment
Beyond her performance, Gauff has also found herself part of a broader conversation in tennis.
Earlier this year, Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields slammed the filming and sharing of an emotional moment involving Gauff following her loss at the Australian Open, calling the situation “ridiculous.”
As The Blast reported, Shields reacted after footage surfaced showing Gauff in a private area, visibly upset and breaking her racket, which was later posted online.
In a strongly worded response, Shields said Gauff had gone somewhere private “to release her frustration” but was still followed and recorded, questioning, “Where is the protection?”
She argued that athletes should be allowed space to process tough moments without cameras intruding, especially in vulnerable situations.
Her defense quickly gained attention online, with many agreeing that the incident crossed a line and raised serious questions about how much access the public should have to athletes during emotional moments.