Why Was Coco Gauff Once Mistaken for WTA Star Leylah Fernandez? Revisiting Hilarious Tennis Moment
Have you ever been mistaken for someone in a way that left you laughing? America’s tennis star Coco Gauff certainly has. While in Montreal, the former US Open champion was hilariously mistaken for Leylah Fernandez. It wasn’t the first time Gauff had been confused for another WTA player, but this mix-up stands out as one of the funniest. With a lighthearted twist and a story from Gauff’s former doubles partner Jessica Pegula, the incident quickly became one of tennis’s most amusing moments.
Gauff has advanced to the third round of the Australian Open, where she will face none other than Canada’s Leylah Fernandez at the Margaret Court Arena. The two first met in a singles clash at the 2025 United Cup, where Gauff dominated with a 6-3, 6-2 win. Given their recent matches, excitement is building for this Grand Slam rematch, but amidst the tension, the funny story involving these two players has unexpectedly taken center stage.
In August 2023, Gauff responded to a fan’s question on X about her experiences with racism. The 2023 US Open champion then shared a humorous story from her time on tour, revealing that she had often been mistaken for other WTA players, including Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Serena and Venus Williams, and Alycia Parks. But this time, the mix-up was new: while in Montreal, a fan asked her for an autograph, thinking she was none other than Canada’s own Leylah Fernandez. “I sign autographs as myself but occasionally I am somehow also signing as Sloane, Venus, Serena, Taylor, Alycia, and yesterday I got Leylah for the first time lollll,” Gauff tweeted with humor.
The exchange didn’t end there. Gauff’s friend and former doubles partner, Jessica Pegula, jumped in with her own funny experience. “One time I signed and the woman thought I was you… that one got me lol,” Pegula shared. In response, Gauff reflected on how people of color often experience being confused for each other, writing, “All POC are the same at this point because what haha,” adding humor while addressing a deeper issue of racism.
Despite such mix-ups and the challenges that come with racism, Gauff has handled these situations with grace and maturity beyond her years. Her level-headedness was on display again as she looked ahead to her upcoming match. Instead of being overconfident, Gauff expressed admiration for Fernandez, a talented athlete and former US Open finalist.
Coco Gauff Believes “Anything Can Happen” in Her Match Against Leylah Fernandez
Heading into their Australian Open clash, Gauff admitted she wasn’t entirely satisfied with her performance in her previous match against Jodie Burrage and knew she’d need to step up against Fernandez. The former US Open champion revealed she had begun preparing for the Canadian star as early as last December, practicing with left-handed players in anticipation of their encounters. “I knew that I wanted to play with some lefties in the off-season because I knew it was going to be my first match. It was something that I wanted to prep for, just be ready for. I knew the United Cup schedule weeks beforehand and I knew she was going to have a match before she played me, so I had to be ready,” Gauff said. Her preparation paid off, as she overpowered Fernandez in their United Cup meeting, showcasing her brilliance.
This time, however, Gauff isn’t relying on that past success. While proud of her United Cup performance, she believes the Australian Open could play out differently. “Obviously I did well at United Cup, but it’s a different match, different story – anything can happen,” Gauff remarked.
On the other side, Fernandez has immense respect for Gauff. Before their United Cup clash, the Canadian praised her American counterpart, warming hearts in the tennis community. “Playing against (Coco Gauff) is never easy. She’s a tough opponent, great competitor. So hopefully we’re going to have fun tomorrow and put on a good show,” Fernandez said, expressing her excitement about competing against such a talented player.
The upcoming match between Coco Gauff and Leylah Fernandez has generated significant excitement for the 2025 Australian Open. No matter the outcome, both players have proven their abilities, promising a thrilling contest at the Margaret Court Arena. So, are you ready?
