"I Vetoed That": Coco Gauff Defies Team Advice to Compete in Miami Following Nerve Injury Scare

Coco Gauff reveals she "vetoed" her team's advice to skip the Miami Open after a nerve injury. Read about her gritty opening win and upcoming match.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 23, 2026, 6:01 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tennis365

Defying the Medical Mandate

The lead-up to the Miami Open was fraught with tension for Coco Gauff’s camp. After a third-round retirement against Alex Eala at Indian Wells, an MRI confirmed the American was dealing with a nerve-related issue. Concerned for her long-term health, Gauff’s coaching staff and medical team urged her to skip the WTA 1000 event in Florida. However, Gauff chose to "veto" that advice, entering the draw with a mindset focused on proving her team wrong and finding rhythm before the clay season.

A Gritty, "Unfocused" Opening Win

Gauff’s first-round performance reflected the rust and physical uncertainty of her recent layoff. In a three-set struggle against Elisabetta Cocciaretto, the world No. 4 produced 39 unforced errors and continued a troubling trend of high double faults. Despite these "serving nightmares," Gauff’s competitive resolve allowed her to overturn a one-set deficit. She confessed that her motivation during the match was fueled by the thought of her team saying, "I told you so," should she lose.

The Stubbornness of a Champion

Gauff compared the current situation to the China Open last season, where her team also advised a withdrawal only for her to go on to win the tournament. Embracing her "stubborn" reputation, she explained that she would rather "torture" herself by competing and failing than spend three weeks watching from the sidelines. "Tomorrow is not a promise," Gauff noted, emphasizing her philosophy of making decisions she won't regret in the future.