‘I’ve never seen that’ – Commentators convinced tennis star is drinking BEER mid-match before she completely misses ball

TENNIS commentators were certain they had caught Amanda Anisimova sipping a BEER midway through a showdown at the Cincinnati Open – only to find out it was Red Bull. The American, 24, booked her place in the last-16 by beating Alexandra Eala in three sets. Amanda Anisimova had commentators thinking she was drinking beer Credit: X The American insisted she was downing Red Bull Credit: X But Anisimova, who suffered a humiliating defeat to Iga Swiatek in the Wimbledon final last year, had spectators in a spin when she had a drink during a break in play. The world No10 was spotted gulping a golden liquid with a foamy white head from a plastic cup. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! And Brett Haber, who was on commentary duties for the Tennis Channel, said: “What is that?” Three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport, who was in the press box, responded: “Could it be apple cider?” Haber added: “I would never suggest a player was drinking a beer in the middle of a match.” Davenport then jumped in to claim: “But that’s certainly what it looked like. I’ve never seen that.” And Haber insisted: “It could be non-alcoholic, it could be cider, it could be anything, we don’t know.” Anisimova fuelled speculation that it was beer in the plastic cup by completely missing the ball when battling for the next point. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Anisimova’s choice of drink led to speculation Credit: X The 2025 US Open runner-up hit back at suggestions she had been downing alcohol courtside and revealed it was Red Bull. Anisimova said: “I know Alex is such a great player and such a fighter. I knew it was going to be a really tough match. “There was quite a bit of support for me tonight. I really appreciate that because I know how loved Alex is and for good reason. “But I really appreciated it because I felt like I needed a pick-me-up in this match because it’s past my bed time.” Anisimova went on to book her place in the last-16 of the Cincinnati Open Credit: Alamy Lindsay Davenport was shocked during the break in play Credit: AFP Anisimova is set to battle it out with Linda Noskova for a place in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals tomorrow. Jessica Pegula, Elina Svitolina, Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva are among the other stars still fighting for glory. Comment now