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At just 22 years old, Coco Gauff has already won the US Open and French Open Grand Slam titles. But earlier this week, the American star left the Madrid Open well before the final, failing in his bid to claim another victory in the tournament.
Linda Nosková beat Gauff on Monday in the round of 16. After her run at the Madrid Open ended, Gauff said she faced backlash from “angry” players upset their bets didn’t pay off.
“@Angry players saying racist things in my IG comments/dms hiding behind anonymous accounts,” Gauff said in a post on his TikTok account on Wednesday.
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Coco Gauff of the United States reacts against Sorana Cirstea of Romania during the Mutua Madrid Open 2026, ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000, at Caja Magica on April 26, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images) (Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Gauff also referenced a song by Young MA, sharing lyrics that read: “Yeah, they hate, but they broke (But they broke) / And when it’s time to come out, they don’t show up (Where are they?)”
The sports betting industry continues to grow in the United States, generating a record $16.96 billion in revenue in 2025, the American Gaming Association said. Prediction markets have increased competition but have not significantly slowed industry growth.
American tennis player Coco Gauff looks dejected as she leaves the court after losing to Linda Noskova of Czechia in the fourth round of the women’s singles at the Mutua Madrid Open in Madrid, Spain, April 27, 2026. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
The increase in revenue also translated into hundreds of billions in losses for Americans who legally placed bets in 2025, an increase of about 11% from the previous year, according to the association’s figures.
Gauff battled an apparent illness during the Madrid Open, even taking a medical timeout in the round of 16 over the weekend. She vomited on the field and later said she was suffering from digestive problems.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during the fourth round of the women’s match against Linda Noskova of Czechia at the Mutua Madrid Open on April 27, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Alberto Gardin/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
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“I don’t know how I did it,” Gauff told PK Press Club. “I just had to try really hard to cut down on my food. But once I threw up – and I was able to throw up after the first set – I felt a little bit better.
“It was just a tough game. I think I caught the Madrid stomach bug that’s been going around. I’m usually someone who doesn’t get sick. Today my luck just wasn’t good.”
