COCO GAUFF BATTLES THROUGH ILLNESS, VOMITING ON COURT TO ADVANCE PAST SORANA CIRSTEA
Coco Gauff battled a severe stomach virus to defeat Sorana Cirstea. See how she survived the illness sweeping the Madrid Open.
Coco Gauff caught the stomach bug that’s been knocking players out left and right at the Madrid Open. Even so, she somehow pulled out a win over Sorana Cirstea, grinding through three sets – 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 – on April 26 to book her spot in the round of 16.
It’s been a rough week in Madrid. Players keep dropping from illness; just ask Iga Swiatek, who had to stop mid-match against Ann Li on April 25, or Marin Cilic, who withdrew before his second-rounder with Joao Fonseca the day before. Liudmila Samsonova didn’t even make it to the court for her third-round match with Linda Noskova; she pulled out sick, too.
Gauff, just 22, threw up into a courtside bin during her match with Cirstea. She called for a medical timeout late in the fight but pushed through, finishing after two hours and 21 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly,” she said afterwards, still sounding a bit dazed. “I was just trying to finish the match, and one point turned into another. I think I picked up what everyone else has here in Madrid. So I’m just going to try to hang on for tomorrow.”
Gauff finished runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka here last year. With her clay season full of points to defend (3,300 from Madrid through the French Open), there’s a lot on her plate and not much time (Roland Garros starts May 24).
“I pulled out at Indian Wells. I really hate retiring, so I didn’t want to do that again today. I’m glad I could tough it out,” said Gauff, who already has two Grand Slam trophies at home.
“I started to feel better, at least not on the verge of throwing up anymore. They gave me some medicine, so that helped.
“But honestly, I was so tired... At first, I was just trying not to throw up the little food I ate. After the meds, I was just wiped out and still nauseous. But I can play like that.”
JANNIK SINNER URGES RIVAL ALCARAZ TO BE PATIENT DURING HIS WRIST RECOVERY
Two-time champion Alcaraz will miss Roland Garros. Jannik Sinner shares his support as the French Open title race gets a shake-up.
So, Carlos Alcaraz, twice a French Open champ, won’t make it to Roland Garros this year. He’s out with an injury, and it’s official. Alcaraz shared the news on social media, saying, “After seeing the test results today, we decided the smartest move is to play it safe, so I won’t compete in Rome or at Roland Garros. We’ll keep an eye on my recovery and figure out the right time to get back on court. It’s a tough moment for me, but I’m sure I’ll come back stronger.”
The tournament wished him a quick recovery with a simple, “We’ll miss you, Carlos!”
With Alcaraz stepping out, Jannik Sinner becomes the clear favourite in Paris. Sure, Novak Djokovic might make his move too; he always does, but right now the buzz is all about Sinner.
Reporters asked Sinner about his chances in France now that his big rival is out. He wasn’t eager to go there. Sinner said, “Honestly, this isn’t about me being the favourite. Tennis needs Carlos; he brings a whole different energy to the sport. And personally, I enjoy having him around because he makes me think about my own game and the tournament differently. Even though we’d only clash in the final as the top two seeds, it just feels better when he’s part of the draw. I hope he recovers quickly. It’s really difficult for tennis when a top player is injured, especially with the wrists. Look at what’s happened to others. I just hope he takes his time and comes back fully ready. Nobody wants to see him rush back and end up with a worse problem.”
Fans loved Sinner’s answer. Videos from the press conference popped up on social media, with people calling it “pure class". One fan commented, “That’s class. Don’t root for others to get hurt.” Another added, “Jannik Sinner, pure class for his rival dealing with a serious injury." Nothing but respect between these two young legends. And really, it’s hard to disagree. Sinner kept it respectful. He knows his odds are better now, but he made it clear: tennis just isn’t the same without Alcaraz.
WHY CARLOS ALCARAZ’S WRIST INJURY THREATENS HIS 2026 FRENCH OPEN TITLE DEFENSE
Carlos Alcaraz is racing to be fit for the French Open. Discover why he’s prioritizing long-term health over his title defense in Paris.
Carlos Alcaraz is now racing against the clock to get fit in time for defending his French Open title next month. A former Grand Slam finalist has offered him some straightforward advice, urging caution.
Alcaraz is dealing with a wrist issue he picked up during the Barcelona Open. He’s openly considering whether he'll recover in time for Roland Garros.
Having already claimed seven Grand Slam titles, Alcaraz likely doesn’t want to miss the second major of 2026. But Greg Rusedski, a former US Open finalist, thinks he should be careful with his next move.
At only 22, Alcaraz needs to prevent any wrist injury from becoming a long-term setback. Rusedski suggests skipping the French Open might be the smarter path if there’s any doubt about the injury, especially since wrists are notoriously vulnerable for tennis players.
“He has to think long-term; this could be a 10-year career,” Rusedski explained on his podcast. “A serious wrist injury isn't something he can afford. Look at Juan Martin del Potro, one of the greats who never fully recovered from his wrist issues.”
He continued, “Take your time and wait until you’re completely ready. Don’t rush back. Honestly, I don’t think he cares about ranking points right now. Health is wealth.”
“The four majors define greatness. Carlos already has seven, just three shy of ten at such a young age, which is remarkable.”
Rumours surfaced during the Monte Carlo finals that Alcaraz wasn’t feeling great because of his wrist, maybe dealing with some minor annoyances. Those little aches and pains are part of the game. It was smart for him to withdraw from Barcelona to avoid making things worse.
“And if he misses the French, it’s really not the end of the world,” Rusedski added.
He also compared Alcaraz’s approach to tournament scheduling with that of world number one Jannik Sinner.
Sinner tends to space out events, while Alcaraz played back-to-back tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona before his injury cropped up.
“Look at Jannik Sinner: his schedule is well thought out, his preparation is meticulous, and he’s usually the first to arrive, fully ready. He’s had very few injuries because he manages his body well. But they’re different personalities.”
“Carlos likes to enjoy life, parties, and his boat, while Sinner is more reserved, focused on tennis and recovery. Sleep, relaxation, and time away from the court are key for the best players, and they balance that carefully. Without that balance, you end up with these niggles, pains, and injuries; it’s about finding that equilibrium.”
