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Apr 26, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Coco Gauff Overcomes Virus to Reach Fourth Round at Madrid Open

AI Summary
Coco Gauff battled a stomach virus that forced her to vomit on court but still defeated Sorana Cirstea to reach the fourth round of the Madrid Open. The tournament has seen a spate of withdrawals as a viral illness spreads among players, raising concerns about health protocols.

Coco Gauff fought through nausea and a city‑wide virus to post a 4‑6, 7‑5, 6‑1 win and advance at the Madrid Open, highlighting the growing health challenges at elite tennis events.

Gauff’s On‑Court Struggle and Victory Over Cirstea

Trailing 4‑6, 3‑4, Gauff left the court to see the trainer, received anti‑nausea medication, and returned to turn the match around. She credited strict hand‑sanitising habits but admitted the virus was hard to avoid in the shared facilities.

Illness Outbreak Swamps Madrid Open: Player Withdrawals and Stats

  • Madison Keys – withdrew early due to illness
  • Liudmila Samsonova – retired citing virus symptoms
  • Marin Cilic – pulled out after feeling unwell
  • Corentin Moutet – reported sickness after second‑round loss
  • Karolina Pliskova – played while feeling under the weather
  • Iga Swiatek – recorded her second career retirement in the third round

These withdrawals underscore a broader contagion affecting the tournament, with rumors ranging from contaminated shrimp tacos to a city‑wide viral spread.

Health Risks Prompt Rethink of Tournament Protocols

The cluster of illnesses has sparked calls for stricter sanitation measures, including more frequent equipment cleaning, isolated locker rooms, and possible health screenings before matches. Players like Gauff emphasized the difficulty of avoiding infection in dense tournament environments.

What’s Next for Gauff and Future Open‑Season Events?

Gauff remains optimistic, noting she feels better and will head to Rome with hopes of staying healthy. Organisers are expected to review medical protocols ahead of upcoming events, potentially implementing rapid testing and dedicated training zones to curb future outbreaks.