Coco Gauff managed to rally back from a bout of nausea and an episode of vomiting on the court to secure a hard‑fought victory over Romania's Sorana Cirstea in a dramatic third‑round match at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. The American, who entered the tournament as the reigning French Open champion and was a finalist here a year earlier, battled through physical discomfort, clawing back from a set down and a break in the second set to clinch a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win and a place in the fourth round. The match took a dramatic turn early in the second set when Gauff signaled for the physiotherapist.
Moments later she was seen vomiting on the baseline, prompting tournament medical staff to step in and check her blood pressure. Despite the unsettling episode, Gauff refused to abandon the contest, insisting that she simply wanted to finish the match.
"I don't know," she admitted afterward. "Honestly, I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another.
I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. Just going to try to push through for tomorrow." Later, speaking to Sky Sports, Gauff elaborated on how she managed to keep going. "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 the virus circulating among players at the event had taken a toll on many, noting, "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." The Madrid Open this year has been plagued by a mysterious illness that forced several high‑profile competitors to withdraw, including world No.
1 Iga Swiatek, former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic, and American Madison Keys. Organizers have been closely monitoring the situation, but the exact nature of the contagion remains unclear.
Gauff also commented on the influence of the clay surface on 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 said, highlighting how the slower conditions gave her a brief respite while she recovered her strength.
The match was not without its own controversies. Midway through the first set, Cirstea lodged a complaint with umpire Kader Nouni, accusing Gauff's coach of providing audible instructions from the coaching 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," Cirstea argued.
Nouni responded that he did not hear any coaching, and the dispute did not affect the flow of play. After overcoming the health setback, Gauff turned her attention to the next round, where she will face Linda Noskova.
Noskova advanced to the fourth round after receiving a walkover when 20th seed Liudmila Samsonova withdrew due to illness, underscoring how the virus continues to shape the tournament draw. The Madrid Open, held in the Spanish capital, is one of the premier clay‑court events on the WTA calendar and serves as a crucial preparation tournament for the French Open. Players often use the week to fine‑tune their movement on the slower surface, adjust to the high altitude of Madrid, and test their endurance ahead of the Grand Slam. Gauff's ability to persevere through physical distress and still dominate the final set demonstrates both mental resilience and tactical adaptability—qualities that will be vital as she heads toward Roland Garros.
For fans wanting to follow the action, the tournament offers live streaming through Sky Sports and the NOW platform, as well as the Sky Sports app, which provides access to a broad array of tennis coverage, including highlights, match replays, and exclusive interviews. The broadcast partners have highlighted that subscribers can enjoy over 50 percent more live sport this year at no additional cost, making it easier for viewers to keep up with the unfolding drama on the courts. In summary, Coco Gauff's triumph over Sorana Cirstea was a testament to her determination and ability to fight through adversity.
Despite dealing with a virus that has sidelined several top players, she managed to recover on the spot, adapt her game to the clay, and ultimately turn a precarious situation into a decisive three‑set victory. Her next challenge against Linda Noskova promises to be another test of stamina and skill as the tournament progresses toward its climax.