Coco Gauff managed to pull herself together after feeling ill and even vomiting on the court, ultimately prevailing over Sorana Cirstea in a hard‑fought match at the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday. The American, who entered the tournament as the reigning French Open champion and was runner‑up at the same event a year earlier, battled through physical discomfort, clawing back from a set and a break down to secure her place in the fourth round with a 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1 victory in the Spanish capital. Early in the second set, Gauff signaled to the team's physio that she needed assistance. Moments later she experienced a bout of vomiting on the hard‑court surface, after which a medical professional performed a quick blood‑pressure check to ensure she was stable enough to continue.
The incident underscored the growing concerns at the Madrid venue about a contagious virus that has already forced several high‑profile players—such as Iga Swiatek, Marin Cilic and Madison Keys—to withdraw from the competition. When asked how she managed to keep fighting despite the sudden illness, 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 got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. Just going to try to push through for tomorrow." In a later interview with Sky Sports, Gauff elaborated on the physical struggle.
"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 in Madrid seemed to have caught her off guard, noting that she is not the type of athlete who typically falls ill. "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. Gauff also commented on how the clay surface influenced her play that day. She felt the slower pace and higher bounce of the ball on the red clay gave her a little extra time to react, especially during moments when her movement was compromised by the illness. "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 observed. The match was not without controversy.
Cirstea, the Romanian opponent, lodged a complaint with umpire Kader Nouni regarding what she perceived as coaching from Gauff's box. Before the eighth game of the first set, Cirstea was heard saying, "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 umpire responded that he did not hear any coaching. The exchange highlighted the ongoing debate about on‑court coaching rules in professional tennis.
With the win, Gauff advances to face Linda Noskova in the next round. Noskova progressed by walkover after the 20th‑seeded Liudmila Samsonova withdrew because of illness, further emphasizing the impact of the virus on the tournament field. The broader context of the Madrid Open this year has been shaped by the health scare.
Organizers have been vigilant, conducting regular medical checks and advising players to stay hydrated and monitor symptoms closely. Despite the challenges, the tournament has continued to showcase high‑quality tennis, with players adapting to the conditions and the occasional health setback. For fans wanting to follow the action, the matches are available on Sky Sports and can be streamed through the NOW platform or the Sky Sports app.
These services provide access to both ATP and WTA events, offering a comprehensive viewing experience that includes live scores, highlights, and in‑depth analysis. The Sky Sports app also features a video player optimized for Chrome, ensuring a smoother and more accessible streaming experience for viewers. In summary, Coco Gauff's resilience and determination were on full display as she overcame nausea, a brief bout of vomiting, and the lingering effects of a virus to defeat Sorana Cirstea.
Her ability to adapt to the slower clay surface, maintain focus under pressure, and push through physical adversity underscores why she remains one of the sport's most compelling young talents. The match also serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tournament play, where health concerns can arise at any moment, testing both the physical and mental fortitude of the athletes involved.