Coco Gauff powered through visible discomfort to advance at the Mutua Madrid Open, becoming the latest player to battle a virus sweeping through the tournament.
The American third seed vomited on court during her third-round match against Sorana Cirstea on Sunday but rallied for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 victory to reach the last 16. Gauff received medical attention in the second set as she struggled physically. At one stage down a set and a break, she dug deep to turn the match around over two hours and 21 minutes.
Speaking afterward, Gauff was clear about the cause. “Obviously, there is a virus going around. I’m not someone who usually has food or stomach problems,” the world No. 3 said. She dismissed suggestions of food poisoning, explaining she had not eaten anything out of the ordinary.
“They were saying it was a stomach virus from food poisoning. I didn’t eat anything unusual, so I don’t think it was that. I think it is just a virus going around the city, and the players have it,” she added.
Gauff said the medical team gave her something to help, and her immediate plan is simple: hydration and rest. “Now I just need hydration and rest. They gave me something, so hopefully I can be ready for tomorrow,” she noted.
Her reward is a fourth-round meeting with Czech player Linda Noskova. Noskova received a walkover when Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova pulled out on Sunday due to illness.
Gauff’s issue comes on the heels of similar problems for other top players. On Saturday, Iga Swiatek was forced to retire from her third-round match against Ann Li. The world No. 4, who had been feeling unwell for days, left the court after trailing 7-6 (4), 2-6, 0-3.
“I heard there is something going around among the players, that there may be a virus,” Swiatek said. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a couple of days, but I had no energy or stability and felt very bad physically.”
The Polish star described the previous two days as pretty terrible and noted fluctuating symptoms.
The problems started earlier for some. On Friday, Brazil’s Joao Fonseca moved into the third round without playing a point after Marin Cilic withdrew. The Croatian veteran cited stomach problems on social media. “After trying to recover all night, unfortunately my body is exhausted and not at the right level,” Cilic wrote, linking it to food poisoning.
Argentine player Solana Sierra had a different experience. She overcame a slow start to defeat Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 and reach the last 16. “I feel fine,” Sierra said afterward. “But yes, I heard that the players had some problems, but well, you have to be careful.”
The cluster of illnesses has created concern around the Caja Magica. Players have spoken of a virus circulating among competitors and potentially in the city of Madrid. While some have mentioned food, several like Gauff and Swiatek have pointed to a broader virus.
Gauff, who made the final at this event last year, has shown her fighting spirit once again. Her ability to overcome physical setbacks will be tested further against Noskova, who has had extra recovery time due to the walkover.
The string of withdrawals and on-court medical calls has disrupted the early rounds at the WTA 1000 event. Gauff now turns her attention to recovery ahead of her next match on the blue clay in the Spanish capital.
