Coco Gauff managed to pull herself together after a bout of nausea and even vomiting on the court, ultimately prevailing over Romania's Sorana Cirstea in a hard‑fought 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, battled through physical discomfort, clawing back from a set down and a break in the second set to secure a 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1 victory and a place in the fourth round.
Early in the second set, Gauff signaled that she needed medical assistance. She called for the team physio, and moments later she was seen vomiting on the hard‑court surface. After the episode, a tournament doctor checked her blood pressure and cleared her to continue playing.
The incident highlighted the growing health concerns surrounding the event, as a viral illness has already forced several high‑profile competitors, including Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys, to withdraw. When asked how she was able to keep fighting, 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. "I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid unfortunately. Just going try to push through for tomorrow." She later elaborated to Sky Sports, describing the struggle to keep food down and the relief she felt after she finally vomited a second time. "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 said.
"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 impacted 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 explained, noting that the slower court gave her a few extra fractions of a second to recover between points, which proved crucial after her bout of illness. The match was not without its own drama. Cirstea, visibly frustrated, approached umpire Kader Nouni during the eighth game of the first set to protest 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 complained. The umpire responded, "For me, I do not hear any coaching," effectively dismissing the accusation. Despite the tension, Gauff maintained her composure and continued to fight.
After dropping the opening set 4‑6, she rallied in the second, edging it 7‑5 after a series of long rallies and a few crucial break points. By the time the third set began, she seemed to have shaken off the lingering effects of the virus, dominating the remainder of the match with a 6‑1 finish.
Her aggressive baseline play, combined with the higher bounce of the clay, allowed her to dictate points and finish the contest convincingly. Looking ahead, Gauff's next challenge will be against Linda Noskova, who advanced to the fourth round after receiving a walkover from 20th seed Liudmila Samsonova, who withdrew because of illness.
The upcoming match promises to test Gauff's stamina further, especially if the viral bug continues to circulate among the players. The Madrid Open has been a focal point for discussions about player health and tournament safety protocols. Organizers have been monitoring the situation closely, providing medical staff on standby and encouraging players to report any symptoms promptly. While the exact nature of the virus remains unclear, its impact on the draw has been noticeable, with several top contenders forced to pull out, reshaping the competitive landscape.
Fans can continue to follow the action through various platforms. Live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours is available on Sky Sports, and streaming options are offered via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
Subscribers to Sky Sports enjoy access to more than 50 percent additional live sport this year at no extra cost, ensuring they don't miss any of the drama unfolding on the clay courts of Madrid. In summary, Coco Gauff's triumph over Sorana Cirstea was a testament to resilience and adaptability.
Overcoming physical illness, navigating on‑court disputes, and leveraging the unique characteristics of the clay surface, she demonstrated why she remains one of the sport's most compelling young talents. Her performance not only secured her progression in the tournament but also provided a memorable storyline for spectators amid a week marked by health concerns and unexpected challenges.