Story perspectives

Madrid Open Virus Sickens Stars, Gauff Wins After Illness

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

A contagious virus spread through shared locker rooms and equipment at the Madrid Open, prompting heightened sanitation efforts.
Coco Gauff fell ill during her fourth-round match but recovered to defeat Sorana Cirstea.
Iga Swiatek retired in the third round because of illness, while Madison Keys, Liudmila Samsonova and Marin Cilic also withdrew sick.
Players dismissed rumors that shrimp tacos caused the outbreak, attributing the illness to a citywide virus instead.

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Story summary

A contagious virus spread through shared locker rooms and equipment at the Madrid Open, prompting heightened sanitation efforts.
Coco Gauff fell ill during her fourth-round match but recovered to defeat Sorana Cirstea.
Iga Swiatek retired in the third round because of illness, while Madison Keys, Liudmila Samsonova and Marin Cilic also withdrew sick.
Players dismissed rumors that shrimp tacos caused the outbreak, attributing the illness to a citywide virus instead.