Amanda Anisimova found herself at the center of an unexpected mystery during her Cincinnati Open match against Filipino star Alexandra Eala, and for a few minutes, even the commentators couldn’t figure out what the American tennis star was drinking.
During a changeover in the second set, Anisimova was seen drinking from a clear cup containing an amber-colored, foamy beverage that looked surprisingly similar to beer. The unusual sight immediately caught the attention of Tennis Channel commentators Brett Haber and former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who began trying to identify what was inside the cup. Davenport suggested it might be apple cider and admitted she couldn’t remember seeing anything quite like it during a tennis match.
What was Amanda Anisimova actually drinking?
The mystery became even more intriguing because Anisimova appeared to keep the cup somewhat out of view at times, although she openly drank from it during the changeover. With its golden color and foam, the beverage inevitably generated jokes and speculation about whether the 24-year-old was somehow drinking beer in the middle of competition.
There was a much simpler explanation. A courtside camera operator eventually helped solve the mystery: Anisimova was drinking Red Bull, not alcohol. Haber confirmed it during the third set, finally ending the unusual debate that had developed around the cup.
Whatever was in the cup certainly didn’t prevent Anisimova from turning the match around. The American, currently ranked inside the world’s top 10, had dropped the opening set 4-6 against Eala before fighting back to take the second 6-4 and dominating the deciding set 6-2 to advance to the Round of 16.
In the end, one of the strangest mysteries of the Cincinnati Open had a very ordinary answer. It wasn’t beer or cider, just an energy drink that looked suspiciously different once it was poured into a clear cup.
Read the full article here
