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At just 22, Coco Gauff has already won the US Open and French Open Grand Slam titles. But earlier this week the American star exited the Madrid Open well before the final and fell short in his bid for another tournament victory.
Linda Nosková defeated Gauff on Monday in the round of 16. After her Madrid Open run ended, Gauff said she faced backlash from “angry” players upset their bets didn’t pay off.
“@ those angry players saying racist things in my IG comments/dms are hiding behind anonymous accounts,” Gauff said in a post to 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 La 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 Young MA song, sharing lyrics that read, “Yeah, they hate, but they broke (But they broke) / And when it’s time to pop, they’re out of shape (Where at?)”
The sports betting industry continues to grow in the United States, generating a record $16.96 billion in revenue by 2025, the American Gaming Association said. Prediction markets have increased competition but have not significantly slowed the growth of the industry.
American tennis player Coco Gauff looks dejected as she leaves the court after losing to Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in the women’s singles fourth round 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 and even took a medical timeout in the round of 32 over the weekend. She threw up on the pitch and later said she was dealing with indigestion.
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts during the women’s singles fourth round match against Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic 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 got it done,” Gauff told Pakinomist. “I’m just dealing with a lot of trying to keep my food down. But when 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’ve got the Madrid stomach virus running around. I’m usually one who doesn’t get sick. My luck today just wasn’t good.”
