Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka are set to clash in the Miami Open final on Saturday. This marks Gauff’s first appearance in this final, while Sabalenka returns for her second consecutive final, having claimed victory last year against Jessica Pegula.
Despite being the world No. 4 and a two-time Grand Slam winner, Gauff revealed experiencing moments of “impostor syndrome” leading up to her semi-final match.
Speaking to the press in Miami, Gauff shared her feelings: “Even when they announce my achievements as I walk out or during warm-ups, I sometimes don’t feel like it’s me. I think to myself, ‘Oh, you actually have a pretty good career.’ But that’s not how I always feel.”
She added, “When you’re working on things, especially with my serve, I sometimes feel like I shouldn’t be where I am. But tennis doesn’t lie, the ball doesn’t lie, so I just have to believe in myself.”
Gauff went on to decisively defeat Karolína Muchová 6-1, 6-1 in her semi-final. Later, Sabalenka secured her spot in the final by beating Rybakina 6-4, 6-3, a more dominant victory compared to their “Russian roulette” final at Indian Wells earlier in the month.