Coco Gauff battles through illness to secure Madrid Open victory
Coco Gauff struggled through physical illness to defeat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in a dramatic match at the Madrid Open, reports BritPanorama.
The American, seeded third, was trailing by a set and a break when she experienced nausea and vomited during the second set. Following a medical timeout, Gauff managed to rally back, ultimately winning the match with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
A stomach virus is reportedly circulating among players in Madrid, leading to several notable withdrawals; world number one Iga Swiatek retired from her match against Ann Li due to the illness.
Liudmila Samsonova, ranked 20th, also succumbed to the virus, unable to compete in her scheduled match. After her victory, Gauff told Sky Sports: “I don’t know how I got it done. Just dealing with a lot of trying to keep my food down. But once I threw up, and I was able to throw up after the first set, I felt a bit better. I think I got the Madrid stomach virus that’s going around. I’m usually someone who doesn’t get sick.”
Looking ahead, Gauff faces a challenging fourth-round clash against Czech player Linda Noskova, who advanced without taking to the court after Samsonova’s withdrawal. Meanwhile, British number one Emma Raducanu continues to deal with the lingering effects of a viral illness, previously pulling out of the tournament due to her ongoing health struggles. This follows a series of absences after her last appearance at Indian Wells in early March.
Raducanu’s withdrawal means she forfeits ranking points from her previous appearance in Madrid, compounding difficulties for tournament organizers already grappling with high-profile player absences. As the Madrid Open progresses, it remains to be seen how these health issues will continue to impact the draw and the competitive landscape.
For Gauff, today’s match exemplifies the unpredictable nature of sport, where physical resilience often merges with the unyielding demands of competition. A reminder, perhaps, that greatness can sometimes manifest in the most unexpected ways.
