Miami Open: Coco Gauff confesses she’s battling with ‘Imposter Syndrome’

Tennis star Coco Gauff opened up during a post-match press conference about a mental challenge she's facing as she enters the semifinals of the 2026 Miami Open

 The 22-year-old tennis star said she feels "imposter syndrome" after defeating Belinda Bencic of Switzerland to advance in the tournament

 Gauff became the youngest American to reach the Miami Open semifinals since Serena Williams in 2004

After defeating Belinda Bencic to advance to the Miami Open semifinals for the first time on Tuesday, March 24, the two-time Grand Slam champion, 22, opened up during her press conference about dealing with "imposter syndrome."

"I have to believe that I belong where I am. I think sometimes I can get imposter syndrome," Gauff said while speaking with reporters. "Even when they're saying my accomplishments during the warm-up, it doesn't feel like me."

"I'm like, 'Oh, I actually do have a good career!' " she continued. "It doesn't feel like that sometimes in the moment because you're working on things, especially with my serve, it just feels like I shouldn't be where I am — but tennis doesn't lie, the ball doesn't lie, so I just have to believe myself."

Gauff, who won the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open, shared that her coaches often give her positive reinforcements, but she's working on believing it herself more consistently.

"My coaches have been reminding me, like, 'Remember who you are,' and 'You're a good player,' " she said during the presser. "They've been putting that into my head. There are moments I believe it, and there are moments I don't, so I'm just trying to believe it more."

Gauff defeated Bencic 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in the 2026 Miami Open, edging past the double Olympic medalist to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the first time at this tournament. She'll face Karolina Muchova on Thursday, March 26.

"I didn't think I would be in the semis, so I'm really happy and proud of myself," Gauff told the Tennis Channel after her victory. "I think I proved a lot this week and feel like each match I'm getting better, even though I'm still doing three sets, but I just feel like the level is getting better and better."

Gauff's health was a major storyline going into the tournament, after she was forced to retire from her match against Alex Eala at Indian Wells due to an arm injury. She revealed that it was ultimately a nerve issue after getting an MRI.

"It was a nerve thing, like I said immediately after the match," she confirmed in Miami during a pre-tournament presser. "Every day is different. But for the most part, I'll be fine playing this tournament. I may feel it sometimes on court, but I definitely feel it less and less every day, if that makes sense."

At 22 years old, Gauff is the youngest American player to reach the women's singles semifinals at the Miami Open since Serena Williams in 2004, the same year Gauff was born.

In January, Gauff got a shoutout from Williams after the then-21-year-old athlete went viral for smashing her racket following her frustrating loss at the Australian Open. The 23-time Grand Slam champion showed her support.