Madrid Open Hit by Food Poisoning Scare: Shrimp Suspected in Multiple Player Withdrawals

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

MADRID — The Mutua Madrid Open, one of tennis’s most prestigious clay-court tournaments, has been disrupted by a wave of food poisoning cases that forced five players to withdraw from competition in recent days. While officials have not confirmed the exact cause, multiple athletes and team sources have pointed to contaminated shrimp served at the Caja Mágica player dining facilities as the likely culprit.

The Outbreak: Who Was Affected?

World No. 1 Iga Świątek and former US Open champion Marin Čilić became the highest-profile casualties of the outbreak, both withdrawing from their second-round matches on April 25. Świątek, who had won her opening match against Sara Sorribes Tormo, cited “severe stomach cramps and nausea” in a post-match statement released by the WTA. Čilić, a two-time Grand Slam finalist, retired after just six games in his match against Matteo Arnaldi, later telling reporters, “I’ve never felt this bad on a tennis court.”

Three additional players—American Jessica Pegula, French qualifier Diane Parry, and Czech rising star Linda Nosková—similarly withdrew within a 24-hour span, all reporting similar symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Pegula, who was seeded fourth, described her condition as “the worst I’ve felt in my career” in a brief interview with ESPN before being taken to a local hospital for intravenous fluids.

Shrimp Identified as Likely Source

While tournament organizers have not issued an official statement on the cause, two independent sources within player teams confirmed to Archysport that shrimp served in the Caja Mágica’s player lounge on April 23 and 24 is under investigation. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “At least six players who ate the shrimp buffet reported symptoms within 12 hours. Those who avoided it stayed healthy.”

The Madrid Open’s food service provider, Sodexo, has not responded to requests for comment. However, the company’s contract with the tournament includes strict food safety protocols, and an internal memo obtained by Marca indicates that all seafood deliveries from a specific supplier were quarantined on April 25 pending laboratory testing.

Not All Cases Linked to Food Poisoning

While the shrimp theory dominates discussions in the locker room, not all player illnesses have been attributed to food. Coco Gauff, who advanced to the quarterfinals despite vomiting during her match against Sorana Cîrstea, explicitly ruled out food poisoning in her post-match press conference. “I don’t think it’s food,” Gauff said. “I’ve had stomach issues before, but this feels different. There’s definitely some kind of virus going around the tournament and the city.”

Gauff’s symptoms—dizziness, fatigue, and nausea—align with reports from several ball kids and physiotherapists who also fell ill. The Madrid regional health department confirmed to El País that it is monitoring “a cluster of gastrointestinal cases” in the city but has not declared an official outbreak.

Tournament Impact: Seedings and Schedules Disrupted

The withdrawals have created chaos in the draw. Świątek’s exit, in particular, opens a path to the semifinals for lower-ranked players like Nosková (who withdrew before her third-round match) and Qinwen Zheng, who now faces a significantly weakened quarterfinal bracket. The WTA confirmed that Świątek’s withdrawal does not affect her ranking points, as she had already advanced to the second round.

On the men’s side, Čilić’s retirement handed Arnaldi a walkover into the third round, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated all-Spanish clash. Alcaraz, the tournament’s defending champion, told reporters he has been “extra careful” about food and hydration but declined to comment on the shrimp rumors.

What’s Next: Testing, Transparency, and Player Safety

The Madrid Open’s medical team is working with local health authorities to identify the source of the illnesses. In the meantime, players have taken matters into their own hands. Several, including Pegula and Nosková, have switched to pre-packaged meals brought from outside the venue. Others, like Gauff, have increased their employ of electrolyte supplements and hand sanitizer.

Tournament director Feliciano López issued a brief statement on April 26, saying, “The health and safety of our players, staff, and fans is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with health authorities and will provide updates as soon as we have more information.”

Key Takeaways

• Five players withdrew from the Madrid Open due to illness in a 48-hour span, with symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
• Shrimp served in the player lounge is the leading suspect, though tournament officials have not confirmed the cause.
• Iga Świątek and Marin Čilić were the highest-profile withdrawals, both citing severe stomach issues.
• Not all cases are food-related: Coco Gauff and others believe a virus may also be circulating among players and staff.
• Seedings and schedules have been disrupted, with walkovers and easier draws for some players.
• Health authorities are investigating, but no official outbreak has been declared in Madrid.

How to Follow the Story

For real-time updates, follow the official tournament accounts on Twitter and Instagram, as well as the WTA and ATP websites. Archysport will continue to provide verified coverage as more details emerge.

The next major checkpoint is the men’s and women’s semifinals, scheduled for April 29. If the outbreak persists, additional withdrawals could further reshape the tournament’s outcome.

What’s your take? Have you experienced food safety issues at major sporting events? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Twitter.