Amanda Anisimova, the 24-year-old World No. 10 tennis player, drank a Red Bull energy drink from a transparent cup during her Round of 32 match against Alexandra Eala at the Cincinnati Open on August 17, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The beverage appeared golden with foam, prompting broadcasters to speculate it was beer or apple cider. Tennis Channel commentators Brett Haber and Lindsay Davenport discussed the mystery live; Haber said, "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," while Davenport suggested it could be apple cider [1, 2]. Haber also noted, "It could be non-alcoholic. It could be cider. It could be anything. We don’t know" [1].
Players are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages during official matches [1, 2, 3]. Later in the broadcast, footage confirmed Anisimova had requested and been given a can of Red Bull, which was poured into the transparent cup. The drink was officially confirmed to be Red Bull energy drink, not alcohol [1, 2, 3].
Anisimova lost the first set 4-6 but rallied to win the next two sets 6-4, 6-2, completing a comeback victory to advance to the Round of 16 at Cincinnati [1, 2, 3]. She is scheduled to play Linda Nosková in the Round of 16, though sources differ on whether the match will take place on Wednesday, August 19, or Thursday, August 20 [1, 2].
Anisimova’s 2026 season reflects a return to form after an eight-month mental health break in 2023. She reached the Wimbledon and US Open finals in 2025 but did not win those titles [1, 3]. The Cincinnati Open appearance is part of her ongoing efforts to regain top ranking.
Her next match against Nosková is awaited with interest, with the official schedule to clarify the exact date soon [1, 2].
