Coco Gauff Makes Honest Admission About Battling ‘Imposter Syndrome’ After Reaching Miami Open Semifinal

Coco Gauff will meet Karolina Muchova in the semifinals of the Miami Open.

Coco Gauff Makes Honest Admission About Battling ‘Imposter Syndrome’ After Reaching Miami Open Semifinal

Coco Gauff (via X/The Tennis Letter)

In Short
  • Coco Gauff reaches the Miami Open semifinal for the first time in her career.
  • She admits to struggling with imposter syndrome despite being a two-time Grand Slam champion.
  • Gauff will face Karolina Muchova, who has never defeated her in their previous five encounters.

Coco Gauff will be playing the Miami Open semifinal for the first time in her career. Before this year, she had never made it past the fourth round in her home WTA 1000 tournament.

In the quarterfinals, she overcame 12th seed Belinda Bencic in three sets in what was also her first match against a seeded player in the tournament. At the press conference after her win, Gauff said she’s battling with imposter syndrome, struggling to believe in her achievements.

I think I have to believe that I belong where I am. I think sometimes I can get imposter syndrome and, even when they are saying my accomplishments when I walk on or during the warm-up, it doesn’t feel like me, and I’m like, ‘Oh, actually, you do have a good career.’ But it doesn’t feel like that sometimes. When you’re working on things, and especially with my serve, it just feels like I shouldn’t be where I am.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference

Despite her serving woes, the 22-year-old is a two-time Grand Slam singles champion. She is working with biomechanics specialist Gavin MacMillan, who fixed World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka‘s serve when she was contemplating retirement. So far in her four matches in this Miami Open, she has served 30 double faults already, including 11 against Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the opening round.

But tennis doesn’t lie, the ball doesn’t lie, so I just have to believe in myself. My coach has been reminding me – remember who you are, you’re a good player. They’ve been putting that into my head. At moments, I believe in it, and other moments, I don’t. I’m just trying to believe in it more.

Coco Gauff added

Gauff has become the youngest American woman to reach the semifinals of the Miami Open since Serena Williams (2004). If she reaches the title clash, she will remove Iga Swiatek and occupy the third spot on the rankings table.

Coco Gauff to play Karolina Muchova next

Up against Coco Gauff in the semifinal will be Karolina Muchova, who ended Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko‘s run in the quarterfinals in straight sets in what was also a rematch of this year’s Dubai Tennis Championships final, which the Czech ace won in straight sets.

Coco Gauff (2)
Coco Gauff (Image via X/Coco Gauff)

Muchova, who is chasing her second WTA 1000 title, has yet to defeat Gauff. They have so far met five times, with their last meeting being the fourth round of this year’s Australian Open.

I never think about the head-to-head, although it’s true, things have gone well for me each time I faced her. Still, she remains a very tough player; she played really well in Australia, and despite that, I managed to beat her. I hope we have another very challenging match here; the head-to-head doesn’t matter much when compared to the quality of the matches, where many could have gone either way. Just because of how good she is, I can’t dwell on that.

Coco Gauff said at the press conference

Before arriving in Miami, Gauff handed the walkover to Alexandra Eala in the third round of Indian Wells. She has reached two semifinals this year. After losing to Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and suffering an early-round exit at the Qatar Open, Gauff lost to the Ukrainian, this time, in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

In the other semifinal in Miami, Aryna Sabalenka will lock horns with Elena Rybakina, which will be a rematch of this year’s Australian Open semifinal and Indian Wells final. The Kazakh ace won in Melbourne but couldn’t repeat the same result in the California desert.

Also read: Iga Swiatek’s Physiotherapist Dives Into the Coaching Shakeup After Miami Open Exit