US tennis star Amanda Anisimova left announcers stunned when she was captured sipping on a mystery drink on Monday.
The American, 24, came back from a set down to beat Filipino sensation Alex Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the Round of 32 at the Cincinnati Open.
But it wasn’t her on-court performance that set tongues wagging as Anisimova raised eyebrows with her beverage of choice.
The two-time Grand Slam finalist was captured drinking from a clear plastic cup, which contained a fizzy drink during the match.
The mystery drink looked strikingly similar to a beer with a similar hue and a froffy top, leaving commentators puzzled.
‘What is that, Lindsay?’ Tennis Channel announcer Brett Haber asked Lindsay Davenport.
Amanda Anisimova left announcers stunned when she was seen sipping on a mystery drink
The two-time Grand Slam finalist was captured drinking from a clear plastic cup
‘Could be apple cider, Brett?’ she responded.
‘I mean I would never suggest that a player was drinking a beer in the middle of a match but that’s certainly what it looked like,’ Haber said, as players are prohibited from drinking alcohol during a match.
‘I’ve never seen that,’ Davenport added.
Haber concluded: ‘It could be non-alcoholic. It could be cider. It could be anything. We don’t know.’
The curious beverage left fans equally confused on social media with many questioning what she was drinking.
‘Amanda Anisimova just casually slugs Miller Lite, hits 74 unforced errors, and easily defeats Alexandra Eala. This is what American tennis is ALL about!’ one X user wrote.
‘Amanda Anisimova drinking a beer during her match against Alex Eala then stumbles swinging at a ball… go get this win and have another Amanda,’ said another.
‘After losing the first set, World No. 10 Amanda Anisimova slugged a beer… then stormed all the way back for the win,’ claimed a third.
However, others suggested that it could have been the more realistic option of a Red Bull or another brand of energy drink that had been poured out of a can into the cup.
The American, 24, came back from a set down to beat Filipino sensation Alex Eala 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
One posted on X: ‘Anisimova chucking down a lager during the match, or maybe a Red Bull!’
The Tennis Channel confirmed later in the match that those fans had in fact opted for the correct theory.
‘We can confirm via one of our courtside camera operators that Anisimova asked for and was delivered a Red Bull. That is the mystery bevvie,’ Haber said in the third set.
The energy drink seemingly powered Anisimova to her comeback win over recent DC champion Eala.
Anisimova, who reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open last year, will now face Linda Noskova in the Round of 16 on Wednesday.
