The Madrid Open has been plagued by an unexpected adversary: a mysterious gastrointestinal illness that appears to be sweeping through the player field. Over the past few days, a number of high‑profile competitors have reported symptoms ranging from nausea and vomiting to severe fatigue, prompting withdrawals and affecting match outcomes across both the ATP and WTA draws. One of the most talked‑about cases involved rising American star Coco Gauff.
After a hard‑fought victory over Sorana Cîrstea in the round of 32—where Gauff edged the Romanian 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1—she was visibly struggling during the match. In the second set, the American called for her physiotherapist, a clear sign that something was amiss. Moments later she was seen vomiting on the baseline, and a team doctor rushed in to check her blood pressure. The incident highlighted how the illness was not just a mild inconvenience but a serious physical setback that could jeopardize a player's performance and health.
Gauff’s troubles came on the heels of a dramatic exit in the round of 16, where she fell to Czech qualifier Linda Nosková in a nail‑biting third‑set tiebreak. While the defeat will be recorded as a loss on paper, many commentators now suspect that the lingering effects of the stomach issue played a role in her inability to close out the match. The problem has not been limited to the women's side. On the men's tour, veteran Croatian Marin Čilić was forced to pull out of his scheduled bout against Brazil’s João Fonseca, attributing his absence to a bout of food poisoning.
Čilić’s statement, "unfortunately, I got food poisoning," was brief but definitive, and it added his name to a growing list of athletes who have been sidelined. Polish sensation Iga Swiatek, a six‑time Grand Slam champion and a favorite to win the event, also succumbed to the ailment. After a competitive first round, Swiatek retired against American Ann Li, describing her condition as "zero stability and zero energy." The description paints a picture of a player who could not find balance on the court, a symptom commonly associated with gastrointestinal distress and dehydration. Rumors have swirled among the players' camps that a specific food item might be the source of the contagion.
The consensus points to a particular street‑food favorite: shrimp tacos. While the tournament organizers have not confirmed any official investigation, the anecdotal evidence suggests that a batch of undercooked or improperly stored shrimp may have been served at a nearby vendor, leading to a localized outbreak among those who sampled the dish. In response to the situation, world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who advanced to the fourth round after a hard‑won match against Naomi Osaka, publicly discussed her dietary adjustments. Sabalenka explained that she has adopted a very plain, uncomplicated diet consisting of chicken breast, rice, and salad, deliberately avoiding anything that could trigger the illness.
"I stick to the same food, same meal that I've been having since the very beginning of the tournament," she said, adding a light‑hearted comment about the infamous tacos: "I heard that I have to avoid those tacos (laughing)." Sabalenka's decision to keep her meals bland paid off. After dropping the first set in a tight tiebreak against Osaka (6‑7, 1‑7), she rebounded impressively, taking the next two sets 6‑3, 6‑2.
The win not only secured her a spot in the quarter‑finals but also kept her on a viable path to defend her title in the Spanish capital. The broader impact of the outbreak has been noticeable beyond the individual matches. Tournament officials have reported an uptick in player withdrawals and an overall sense of caution among competitors. Some have opted to bring personal meals from home, while others have consulted nutritionists to devise safe eating plans for the remainder of the competition.
From a logistical standpoint, the organizers have taken steps to mitigate the spread. They have increased the frequency of sanitary checks in the players' lounge areas, provided additional hand‑sanitizing stations, and issued advisories reminding athletes to stay hydrated and to report any symptoms promptly. These measures aim to contain the situation before it escalates into a more serious public health concern.
For fans watching at home, the incident has added an unexpected narrative layer to the tournament coverage. Networks such as Sky Sports have highlighted the health storyline alongside the on‑court action, offering interviews with medical staff and behind‑the‑scenes footage of the players' recovery protocols. The channel also promotes its streaming service, NOW, which allows viewers to watch matches without contractual restrictions, and encourages the use of the Sky Sports app for live scores, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis. In summary, the Madrid Open this year has been as much a battle against a hidden pathogen as it has been a showcase of elite tennis talent.
While the exact cause—whether contaminated shrimp tacos or another source—remains under investigation, the tournament has demonstrated the resilience of its athletes. Players like Sabalenka have adapted quickly, employing disciplined nutrition strategies to stay competitive, while others have been forced to withdraw for health reasons. As the competition progresses, the focus will remain on both the quality of the tennis and the ongoing efforts to keep the playing field safe and healthy for all participants.