Coco Gauff managed to rally back from a bout of nausea and an episode of vomiting on the court to secure a hard‑won victory over Sorana Cirstea during 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, fought through physical discomfort, clawing back after dropping the first set and a break in the second to ultimately claim a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 triumph and a place in the fourth round. Early in the match Gauff appeared to be struggling with her health. After losing the opening set 4-6, she signaled for the team's physiotherapist during the second set.
Moments later she experienced a sudden wave of nausea that forced her to vomit on the court. The incident prompted a quick medical check, during which a doctor measured her blood pressure and ensured she was fit to continue.
Despite the setback, Gauff displayed remarkable resilience, refusing to let the episode dictate the outcome. The tournament has been shadowed by reports of a contagious virus circulating among players, which has already caused withdrawals from high‑profile competitors such as Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys. Organisers and medical staff have been closely monitoring the situation, and Gauff’s symptoms appeared to align with the same illness that has been affecting several participants in Madrid.
When asked how she managed to persevere through the ordeal, 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 she felt she was dealing with the same bug that many others were experiencing in the city, and that her primary goal was simply to push through to the next day. In a later interview with Sky Sports, Gauff elaborated on the physical sensations she endured. "I tried to keep my food down, but after I threw up, I was able to vomit again and then I felt a bit better," she explained.
She described the virus as a "Madrid Open bug" that seemed to catch even athletes who are normally resistant to illness. "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," she said.
The American also commented on how the clay surface influenced her play under those challenging conditions. "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," Gauff noted, highlighting the subtle advantages that the slower, higher‑bouncing surface can provide when a player is not at full physical capacity. Cirstea, the Romanian opponent, voiced frustration over what she perceived as coaching from Gauff’s box. About halfway through the first set, Cirstea appealed to umpire Kader Nouni, claiming that Gauff’s coach was shouting instructions from the sidelines, saying things like "Come on, aggressive, let's go, do this all game long, come on, forehand, backhand, first serve" and that the shouting was distracting her.
Nouni responded that he did not hear any coaching and allowed play to continue. After a hard‑fought second set that saw Gauff edge out a 7-5 win, the momentum shifted dramatically in the third. The American’s confidence grew, and she began to dominate rallies, taking advantage of the slower clay to construct points with patience and precision.
She closed out the final set 6-1, securing her passage to the round of 16. Gauff’s next challenge will be against Linda Noskova, who advanced to the fourth round after receiving a walkover when 20th‑seeded Liudmila Samsonova withdrew because of illness. Noskova will be looking to capitalize on her opponent’s recent health scare, while Gauff will aim to maintain her composure and continue her run in the tournament. The Madrid Open continues to be a focal point for both high‑level tennis and health concerns, with officials urging players to stay vigilant and follow medical advice.
Fans can follow the remaining matches through Sky Sports’ live broadcast or via streaming platforms such as NOW and the Sky Sports app, which provide expanded coverage and additional live sport content. Overall, Gauff’s victory exemplifies the tenacity required at the elite level of tennis, especially when faced with unexpected physical challenges.
Her ability to adapt to the clay surface, manage her symptoms, and stay mentally focused under pressure underscores why she remains a formidable competitor on the WTA tour.