The Madrid Open has suddenly turned into a battle against an invisible adversary: a stomach‑affecting virus or possibly a bout of food poisoning that has already taken its toll on a number of high‑profile competitors. While the tournament normally showcases the clash of rackets and strategy, this year players have found themselves grappling with nausea, dizziness and the need for medical attention in the middle of matches. One of the most striking examples was the American rising star Coco Gauff.
After advancing to the fourth round with a hard‑fought win over Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea—4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1—Gauff was visibly struggling during the second set. She signaled for the physiotherapist, and shortly thereafter she vomited on court. Medical staff quickly checked her blood pressure, an indication that her condition was more than a fleeting upset stomach.
Despite the setback, Gauff managed to pull through and claim the victory, only to meet Linda Nosková in the round of 16, where she eventually fell in a tense third‑set tiebreak. Gauff’s ordeal is not an isolated incident. The tournament’s medical team has reported a growing number of withdrawals and on‑court collapses that point to a contagious gastrointestinal issue circulating among the players.
Polish star Iga Świątek, a multiple‑Grand Slam champion, was forced to retire from her match against Ann Li after describing herself as having "zero stability and zero energy," symptoms that align with a severe viral infection. Similarly, Croatian veteran Marin Čilić pulled out of his scheduled match against João Fonseca, citing food poisoning as the reason for his inability to compete. American Madison Keys also withdrew, adding to the list of athletes who have been sidelined by what appears to be the same underlying problem. Rumors have swirled through the players' lounges and hotel corridors, with many pointing to a particular culinary culprit: shrimp tacos.
While the speculation is light‑hearted, the notion that a single dish could have sparked a cascade of illness has captured the imagination of both the press and the participants. Whether the tacos were served at a local vendor, a tournament hospitality area, or a team’s private catering service remains unclear, but the narrative has become a convenient shorthand for the mysterious outbreak. In response to the health scare, some competitors have taken drastic measures to safeguard their own well‑being. World No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off a dramatic fourth‑round win over Naomi Osaka, openly discussed her strategy of sticking to a bland, predictable diet consisting of chicken breast, rice and salad. She explained that by avoiding potentially risky foods—especially the infamous shrimp tacos—she hoped to keep the virus at bay. Sabalenka’s match against Osaka was a roller‑coaster: she fell behind a set and a break, losing the first set 6‑7 (1‑7), but then rallied to win the next two sets 6‑3, 6‑2, securing her place in the semifinals and keeping her title defense hopes alive.
Sabalenka’s comments were delivered with a touch of humor, as she knocked on wood and laughed, "So far, so good. I heard that I have to avoid those tacos." She reiterated that she would continue to eat the same simple meals she had been consuming since the tournament’s opening day, emphasizing consistency as a defensive measure against the illness. The situation has prompted tournament officials to increase sanitation protocols and to advise players to stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and monitor any symptoms closely. Medical staff are conducting tests to determine whether the outbreak is viral, bacterial, or simply a series of isolated food‑borne incidents.
In the meantime, the Madrid Open continues to deliver high‑level tennis, with matches streamed live on platforms like Sky Sports and the NOW app, offering fans uninterrupted access to the action despite the backstage health drama. For spectators and viewers, the tournament’s schedule remains packed with compelling matchups. The ATP and WTA tours are still showcasing elite talent, and the competition in the Spanish capital remains fierce.
While the players contend with the added challenge of staying healthy, the tournament’s organizers are working to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly, providing both live and on‑demand coverage for a global audience. In summary, the Madrid Open has become a case study in how a seemingly minor food issue—or a viral outbreak—can ripple through a major sporting event, affecting top athletes and altering the competitive landscape.
Whether the shrimp tacos are truly to blame or merely a convenient scapegoat, the incident underscores the importance of rigorous food safety standards and the need for athletes to adopt cautious dietary habits when traveling. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will remain on the court to see which players can maintain peak performance while navigating this unexpected health hurdle.