COCO GAUFF vomitted on the court during her Madrid Open showdown with Sorana Cirstea – but still managed to progress in three sets.
The 22-year-old was a set and a break down and staring an early exit from the tournament she reached the final in back in 2024.
But, the third seed called a medical timeout during the second set and managed to turn the contest around to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Gauff insisted throwing up actually helped her win.
She said: “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.
TAYLOR SPLITZ
Morgan Riddle seems to confirm SPLIT with Fritz as fans spot tell-tale signs
TOP PICKS
Weekend betting column: SunSport picks for the FA Cup and Premier League
“It was just a tough match. I think I got the Madrid stomach virus that’s going around.
“I’m usually someone who doesn’t get sick. My luck today just wasn’t good.”
One day prior, Iga Swiatek revealed a stomach virus was going round the locker room in the Spanish capital after she withdrew during the third set of her third-round clash with Ann Li.
Li got the walkover win when Swiatek withdrew while trailing 7-6, 2-6, 3-0.
The American did admit she was given some tablets to deal with the illness and that made an immediate impact.
She said: “I did start to feel better, not feeling like I had to throw up. They gave me some pills, so that definitely helped.
“But I was really tired… The first part was literally just trying to keep whatever I ate down. Once they gave me something to help with that, then I was just nauseous and tired. But I can deal with that.”
Gauff will hope to recover in time for her fourth-round clash against 13th seed Linda Noskova, which goes down around 3pm UK time on Monday.
Read the full article here
