The Madrid Open has taken an unexpected turn, with several leading players battling a suspected stomach illness that has swept through the draw and raised concerns across the tournament.
Among the biggest names affected is Iga Swiatek, who withdrew citing a complete lack of energy, describing her condition as having “zero stability.”
Marin Cilic also pulled out before his match, attributing his exit to food poisoning, while Madison Keys joined the growing list of withdrawals.
The issue has not spared those still competing. Coco Gauff endured a particularly distressing moment during her campaign, calling for medical assistance mid-match and vomiting on court before managing to push through. Her eventual defeat in the round of 16 highlighted the physical toll the illness has taken.
Rumours circulating among players suggest contaminated food, specifically shrimp tacos, may be behind the outbreak, though no official cause has been confirmed. As a precaution, many players have shifted to strict, simplified diets.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has so far avoided the illness and even joked about steering clear of the suspected culprit. Her focus remained intact as she fought back from a set down to defeat Naomi Osaka, keeping her title defence alive.
With uncertainty lingering and player health under scrutiny, the Madrid Open now faces a different kind of challenge, one that extends beyond the baseline and into player welfare and tournament safety.