The Madrid Open has been plagued by an unexpected adversary this year – a mysterious stomach ailment that appears to be sweeping through the player field. While the tournament usually showcases high‑octane tennis, this season the matches have been shadowed by reports of gastrointestinal distress, food‑borne illness, and a wave of withdrawals that have left fans and officials scrambling for answers.
One of the most visible sufferers was 19‑year‑old Coco Gauff. After dispatching Sorana Cirstea in a hard‑fought three‑set battle (4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1), Gauff signaled for the physiotherapist during the second set.
Moments later she was seen vomiting on the court, prompting medical staff to check her blood pressure and monitor her condition. The incident underscored how the virus – or perhaps a bout of food poisoning – was affecting even the tournament's brightest stars. Gauff's earlier win over Cirstea had already hinted at trouble.
Throughout the match she seemed unusually fatigued, and her movements were slower than usual. After the match she admitted that she felt “off” and that the sudden nausea was a clear sign something was wrong. Her experience mirrors a growing list of players who have been forced to pull out of the competition. Poland’s Iga Swiatek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion, was another high‑profile casualty.
After a promising start to her campaign, Swiatek retired from her match against Ann Li on Saturday, describing her condition as having “zero stability and zero energy.” The description suggests a systemic issue rather than a simple upset, and the timing coincides with a spate of similar complaints from other competitors. Croatian veteran Marin Cilic also cited food‑related illness as the reason for his withdrawal. He was scheduled to face Joao Fonseca on Friday but announced he could not compete, stating, “Unfortunately, I got food poisoning.” While Cilic’s statement points directly to contaminated food, the broader pattern of symptoms among players hints at a more widespread problem, perhaps linked to a common source of sustenance at the venue. Madison Keys, the American former Grand Slam finalist, joined the growing roster of athletes who have cited health concerns for their exits.
Though her specific symptoms were not disclosed, her absence adds to the narrative that something on the tournament grounds is affecting a diverse group of competitors. Rumors among the players have quickly coalesced around a single, surprisingly mundane suspect: shrimp tacos. The dish, served at several of the tournament’s hospitality areas, has become the subject of whispered speculation. While no official investigation has confirmed the tacos as the source, the correlation between the timing of the meals and the onset of symptoms has made the story a favorite talking point in the locker rooms.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off a fourth‑round victory over Naomi Osaka, offered a glimpse into how top players are adapting their routines to avoid the illness. Sabalenka said she has been adhering to a very plain diet consisting of chicken breast, rice, and salad – essentially a bland, low‑risk menu designed to minimize exposure to any potential contaminants. She laughed when asked about the taco theory, replying, “I heard I have to avoid those tacos (laughing).
So far, so good. I stick to the same food, same meal that I’ve been having since the very beginning of the tournament.” Sabalenka’s strategic eating paid off. After falling a set and a break down against Osaka, she rallied to win 6‑7 (1‑7), 6‑3, 6‑2, keeping her title defense alive in the Spanish capital. Her victory demonstrates how a disciplined approach to nutrition can help mitigate the impact of an outbreak, at least for those who can control their diet.
The situation has prompted tournament officials to increase medical screenings and to advise players to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and avoid risky foods. Organizers have also issued statements urging spectators to follow hygiene protocols, including frequent hand washing and the use of sanitizing stations placed around the venue. Beyond the immediate health concerns, the outbreak raises broader questions about food safety at large sporting events. With thousands of athletes, staff, and fans converging on a single location, the logistics of catering become a critical component of event management.
Ensuring that all food is prepared, stored, and served under strict sanitary conditions is essential to prevent similar incidents in the future. For fans watching from home, the drama continues to unfold on the courts. Sky Sports provides live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours, with additional streaming options available through the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app.
Subscribers can enjoy an expanded slate of live sport, with more than 50 percent additional coverage this year at no extra cost. As the Madrid Open progresses, players will likely continue to adjust their diets, monitor their health closely, and perhaps avoid any lingering temptations like shrimp tacos. Whether the outbreak will subside quickly or linger remains to be seen, but the resilience shown by athletes like Sabalenka and Gauff suggests that the competition will carry on, albeit with a heightened awareness of the importance of food safety and personal well‑being.