Coco Gauff managed to rally back from a bout of nausea and an on‑court vomiting episode to secure a hard‑fought victory over Romania's Sorana Cirstea in a dramatic second‑round encounter at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. The American, who entered the tournament as the defending French Open champion and a finalist a year earlier, battled through physical discomfort, clawing back from a set down and a break in the second set to claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 triumph and a place in the tournament's fourth round. Early in the match Gauff appeared to be in trouble.
After dropping the opening set 4-6, she began to feel ill during the second set. She called for the team's physiotherapist, and moments later she was seen vomiting on the court. Medical staff quickly intervened, checking her blood pressure and providing the necessary care before allowing her to resume play.
Despite the setback, Gauff showed remarkable resilience, refusing to let the episode dictate the outcome of the contest. The Madrid Open this year has been shadowed by concerns over a contagious virus that has already forced several high‑profile players to withdraw, including world No.
1 Iga Swiatek, former champion Marin Cilic, and American Madison Keys. The tournament's medical team has been on high alert, conducting regular health screenings and offering treatment to anyone showing symptoms. Gauff's experience appears to be linked to this broader health issue affecting the field.
When asked how she managed to push through the discomfort, 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 told reporters. She added that many players were dealing with the same problem in Madrid, and that she was focused on getting through the day in order to be ready for the next round. In a later interview with Sky Sports, she elaborated: "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. It was a tough match.
I think I got the Madrid Open virus bug that's going around and I'm usually someone who doesn't get sick." Gauff also reflected on how the clay surface influenced her performance. "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 explained, noting that the slower conditions gave her a brief reprieve while she recovered her strength.
The match was not without controversy. Cirstea complained to umpire Kader Nouni about what she perceived as coaching from Gauff's box. "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," the Romanian player protested before the eighth game of the first set.
The umpire responded that he did not hear any coaching, and the match continued. After a grueling three‑set battle, Gauff emerged victorious and will face fellow American Linda Noskova in the next round. Noskova advanced by walkover after the 20th‑seeded Liudmila Samsonova withdrew due to illness, setting up an all‑American clash on the Madrid clay.
The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of professional tennis, where athletes must contend not only with their opponents but also with health challenges and environmental factors. Gauff's ability to regain composure after vomiting, maintain her competitive edge, and adapt to the slower clay courts illustrates the mental toughness required at the highest level of the sport. Her win also highlights the importance of on‑site medical support and the protocols in place to safeguard player health during a tournament plagued by a viral outbreak.
Fans can continue to follow the action live on Sky Sports, NOW, or the Sky Sports app, which offers expanded coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours. The platform promises over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost for subscribers, ensuring that viewers can keep up with the evolving storylines, including Gauff's journey through the Madrid Open and the ongoing battle against the virus affecting the player field.