Coco Gauff faced a challenging match at the Madrid Open, where she notably battled through illness to secure a victory. During her second-round clash against Sorana Cirstea, Gauff, who is currently ranked third in the world, found herself struggling with a stomach issue that some of her peers have been experiencing at the tournament.
Gauff’s match was marked by a dramatic moment when she had to momentarily leave the court to vomit while trailing a set and a break. Despite this alarming situation, she regrouped and managed to turn the match around, eventually winning 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. After the match, Gauff shared her surprise at being able to finish strong despite feeling unwell, stating, “Once I threw up, I felt a bit better.” She acknowledged the challenging circumstances, noting the presence of a stomach virus circulating among players at the event, a situation mirrored by fellow competitor Iga Swiatek, who had to withdraw due to similar symptoms.
In contrast, Linda Noskova, the 13th seed, advanced to the fourth round after receiving a walkover, as 20th seed Liudmila Samsonova was also affected by the ongoing illness.
Meanwhile, in the men’s draw, Jannik Sinner successfully moved into the fourth round after defeating Elmer Moller with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-3. The Italian, aware of the rampant virus, expressed his efforts to minimize exposure by limiting his time in crowded spaces such as dining halls and gyms, emphasizing the importance of staying healthy during the tournament.
With her resilience on display, Gauff now looks ahead to her next challenge against Noskova, hopeful that she can recover fully and continue her pursuit of the title in Madrid, amidst the backdrop of an unsettling virus affecting the locker room.
