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 during Sunday’s Mutua Madrid Open match. The American, who entered the tournament as the defending French Open champion and a finalist a year earlier, fought 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 triumph and a place in the fourth round. Early in the second set, Gauff signaled for the on‑site physiotherapist, and moments later she was forced to vomit on the hard court. After the episode, a medical professional checked her blood pressure and gave her a brief assessment before she returned to the baseline.
The incident highlighted the growing health concerns surrounding the event, as a viral illness has already forced several high‑profile players – including Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys – to withdraw from the competition. 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 caught whatever everyone else is dealing with here in Madrid. I just tried to power through for tomorrow." Later, speaking to Sky Sports, she elaborated on the physical challenge. "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. Gauff described the situation as a "tough match" and confirmed that she believed she had contracted the so‑called Madrid Open virus, a bug that seems to be circulating among players. "I’m usually someone who doesn’t get sick, but this time it hit me hard," she added. The clay surface also played a role in the outcome, according to Gauff.
She noted that the slower, higher‑bouncing courts gave her a little extra time to react to shots when she wasn’t moving at her peak. "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, indicating that the conditions partially offset her temporary physical weakness. Cirstea, meanwhile, voiced frustration over what she perceived as coaching from Gauff’s box. Early in the first set, she approached umpire Kader Nouni and complained that Gauff’s coach was shouting instructions from the sidelines. "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 alleged. Nouni responded that he did not hear any coaching and allowed play to continue. Despite the verbal dispute and her own health setbacks, Gauff maintained her composure and turned the tide in the third set, dominating with a 6-1 scoreline.
Her resilience earned her a spot in the next round, where she will face Linda Noskova. Noskova advanced by walkover after the 20th seed, Liudmila Samsonova, withdrew due to illness, setting up an intriguing clash between the two competitors.
The match underscored the broader narrative of the Madrid Open this year, where the combination of a viral outbreak and the demanding clay surface has tested players' physical and mental stamina. Organizers have been monitoring the situation closely, providing medical staff and encouraging players to stay hydrated and seek treatment at the first sign of symptoms. Fans watching the match were reminded to use Chrome for the optimal video streaming experience, and the tournament’s broadcast partners highlighted the availability of live coverage via Sky Sports, the NOW streaming platform, and the Sky Sports app. These services promise more than 50 percent additional live sport content for subscribers, ensuring that audiences can follow the drama on the court as it unfolds.
In summary, Gauff’s win over Cirstea was a testament to her tenacity and ability to adapt under adverse conditions. Overcoming nausea, a brief medical evaluation, and a contentious coaching accusation, she demonstrated that even when the body is compromised, determination and strategic use of the clay can carry a player through.
Her next challenge against Noskova will test whether she can maintain this momentum while still recovering from the lingering effects of the virus that has plagued the tournament.