Coco Gauff managed to rally from a bout of nausea and an on‑court vomiting episode to secure a hard‑fought victory over Romania's Sorana Cirstea in a lively third‑round match 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 physical discomfort, clawing back from a set down and a break in the second set to claim a 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1 win and a place in the fourth round. Early in the second set, Gauff signaled for the medical team, and shortly thereafter she was seen vomiting on the court. A team doctor quickly checked her blood pressure and gave her a brief assessment before she was allowed to continue.
The incident sparked concerns among officials and spectators, as the tournament has been dealing with a suspected viral outbreak that has already forced several high‑profile players—including Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys—to withdraw. 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 said.
"I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid unfortunately. Just going try to push through for tomorrow." Later, speaking to Sky Sports, she elaborated on the physical struggle.
"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. "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 commented on how the clay surface affected her play that day. "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 noted, highlighting the subtle advantage the slower surface gave her while she was not at full strength.
The Romanian opponent, Sorana Cirstea, voiced frustration over what she perceived as coaching from Gauff's box. Early in the first set, Cirstea approached umpire Kader Nouni and complained, "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 umpire responded that he did not hear any coaching, and the match continued. Despite the drama, Gauff's resilience paid off. After taking the first set 6‑4, she weathered a break in the second set, fought back to level the score at 5‑5, and then broke Cirstea to take the set 7‑5. With momentum firmly on her side, Gauff dominated the final set, racing to a 6‑1 finish and sealing the win.
Looking ahead, Gauff will face fellow American Linda Noskova in the round of 16. Noskova advanced by walkover after the 20th‑seeded Liudmila Samsonova withdrew because of illness, meaning Gauff's next opponent also entered the draw under health‑related circumstances.
The Madrid Open continues to be a focal point for discussions about player health and tournament safety protocols. Organizers have intensified testing and sanitation measures in response to the suspected viral spread, but the situation remains fluid, with players and staff remaining vigilant.
For fans wanting to follow the action, the tournament's matches are available for live streaming through Sky Sports and the NOW platform, as well as via the Sky Sports app, which offers additional coverage and highlights. The broadcast includes not only the women's matches but also ATP events, providing a comprehensive view of the clay‑court season as players prepare for the upcoming French Open. Overall, Gauff's performance in Madrid showcases both her physical tenacity and mental fortitude. Overcoming a sudden bout of illness on a demanding clay surface, she demonstrated the ability to adapt her game plan, rely on the slower bounce to compensate for reduced mobility, and maintain focus despite external distractions such as alleged coaching from the box.
Her win adds another chapter to her rapidly growing résumé and positions her as a strong contender as the tour moves deeper into the European clay swing.