Coco Gauff managed to push through a bout of nausea and even vomited during her match, yet she still emerged victorious over Romania's Sorana Cirstea in a lively encounter at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. The American, who entered the tournament as the defending French Open champion and was runner‑up in Madrid a year earlier, battled through both physical discomfort and a challenging scoreboard to secure her place in the fourth round with a 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1 triumph in Spain's capital. Early in the second set, Gauff signaled to the team's physiotherapist, indicating she was feeling unwell. Moments later she experienced a bout of vomiting on the court, after which the tournament doctor performed a quick blood‑pressure check to ensure she was stable enough to continue.
Despite the setback, she rallied and turned the tide of the match. The tournament has been shadowed by reports of a contagious virus that has forced several high‑profile players to withdraw, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, former US Open champion Marin Cilic and American Madison Keys. Organizers have been closely monitoring the situation, and players have been advised to take precautions.
When asked how she managed to persevere, Gauff admitted she was unsure herself. "I don't know. Honestly, I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another," she said. "I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid unfortunately.
Just going try to push through for tomorrow." In a later interview with Sky Sports, she elaborated on the physical sensations she endured. "I don't know how I got it done. I tried to keep my food down but once I threw up I was able to throw up again and then I felt a bit better," she explained. She added that she believed she had contracted the so‑called "Madrid Open virus bug" that was circulating among players, noting that she is normally a very resilient athlete who rarely falls ill.
Gauff also reflected on how the clay surface influenced the match. "The clay helped me today because the ball was a little bit slower so it bounced higher.
It gave me time to get to some balls when I wasn't moving my best," she said, highlighting that the slower court conditions gave her a brief reprieve when her movement was hampered by illness. The match also featured a minor dispute involving Cirstea and the umpire, Kader Nouni. Early in the first set, the Romanian complained that Gauff's coach was shouting instructions from the coaching box, saying, "Her coach is screaming from that end, 'Come on, aggressive, let's go, do this all game long, come on, forehand, backhand, first serve', this is coaching! Because I'm there and they are bothering me because they are screaming in my ear." Nouni responded that he did not hear any coaching and allowed play to continue.
After surviving the health scare and the on‑court drama, Gauff will face Linda Noskova in the next round. Noskova advanced to the fourth round by walkover after the 20th seed, Liudmila Samsonova, withdrew because of illness.
The Madrid Open continues to draw attention not only for the high‑level tennis on display but also for the broader health concerns affecting the tour. Players, officials, and medical staff remain vigilant, and the tournament has implemented additional testing and sanitation protocols to limit further spread. Gauff's win is a testament to her mental toughness and her ability to adapt under adverse conditions. Overcoming a physical setback mid‑match, dealing with a potentially contagious virus, and staying focused on a high‑stakes contest against a seasoned opponent showcases the depth of her competitive spirit.
Her comments about the clay surface also underline her growing comfort on slower courts, an important factor as the tour moves toward the European clay‑court swing leading up to the French Open. Looking ahead, the American will need to manage her health carefully, especially if the virus continues to circulate among players. The upcoming matches will test her recovery and stamina, but her performance in Madrid suggests she possesses the resilience to navigate both physical and tactical challenges.
Fans can continue to follow the action on Sky Sports, NOW, or the Sky Sports app, which offers expanded live coverage and highlights. The tournament promises more exciting encounters as the field narrows and the battle for the Madrid Open title intensifies.