KEY POINTS
- World number four Coco Gauff admitted to struggling with self-belief despite her elite status in professional tennis.
- Gauff defeated Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in three sets to reach her first-ever semifinal at the Miami Open.
- The 22-year-old became the youngest American woman to reach this stage in Miami since Serena Williams in 2004.
Coco Gauff has reached a significant career milestone at the 2026 Miami Open while opening up about her internal mental battles. The world number four secured a place in the semifinals for the first time by defeating Belinda Bencic. Following her victory, the American star shared candid reflections on experiencing “impostor syndrome” despite her massive success.
The quarterfinal match saw Gauff navigate a challenging path against the resilient Swiss veteran. She ultimately triumphed with a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 scoreline at the Hard Rock Stadium. This win is particularly meaningful as Gauff previously failed to advance past the fourth round in six prior attempts.
Gauff admitted to reporters that she often feels disconnected from her own list of professional achievements. She explained that hearing her accolades announced during pre-match warm-ups sometimes feels like they belong to someone else. The two-time Grand Slam champion noted that these feelings often intensify when she is working on technical improvements.
Specifically, Gauff highlighted her ongoing efforts to refine her service motion as a source of self-doubt. She suggested that struggling with certain parts of her game can make her feel unworthy of her ranking. However, she emphasized a mantra that “the ball doesn’t lie” to help ground her during difficult moments.
The victory marks Gauff as the youngest American woman to reach the Miami semifinals in over two decades. Not since Serena Williams in 2004 has such a young domestic player found this level of success in Florida. Gauff resides in nearby Delray Beach, making the accomplishment a significant homecoming for the young athlete.
To combat these mental hurdles, Gauff has been working closely with her coaching staff to rebuild her confidence. Her mentors frequently remind her to remember her identity as an elite competitor on the global tour. She acknowledged that while she believes in herself at times, maintaining that belief is a constant process.
On the court, Gauff’s fighting spirit was evident as she recovered from a difficult second set against Bencic. She utilized her superior athleticism and baseline variation to regain control in the deciding frame. Her ability to solve problems under pressure continues to be a hallmark of her 2026 campaign.
The road ahead does not get any easier as Gauff prepares for a high-stakes semifinal matchup. She is scheduled to face 13th seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for a spot in the final. Gauff holds a perfect 5-0 head-to-head record against Muchova, including a recent win in Australia.
Tennis analysts have praised Gauff’s vulnerability, noting that her honesty provides a rare look at the elite athlete’s psyche. Her transparency regarding mental health resonates with a broad audience beyond the sports world. Many fans view her openness as a sign of maturity rather than a lack of competitive fire.
As the tournament nears its conclusion, Gauff remains a primary favorite to claim the title in front of her home fans. Achieving the Miami Open crown would be another major step in her journey to the top of the rankings. For now, she remains focused on silencing her inner critic one match at a time.
