Amanda Anisimova's 'Meme Queen' US Open Birthday

Amanda Anisimova celebrated her 25th birthday on Monday with a viral surprise at the US Open. Fellow players Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina decorated the world No. 10's locker with a collage of memes, dubbing her the 'Meme Queen'.

How did Anisimova react to the birthday prank?

Anisimova posted a video of the decorated locker to her Instagram story. Her caption was a single word: 'Dead.' The collage featured several viral photos of her animated reactions during matches. These included moments of frustration, questioning calls, and a now-famous clip from the Cincinnati Open where she drank a mystery beverage from a clear cup. Ahead of her opening match at the hard court slam, she admitted she sees the fan edits. 'They’re very entertaining and very funny,' Anisimova said. She laughed and added that she 'can’t help it' being an expressive player.

What was the story behind the viral mystery drink?

One of the key memes originated from Anisimova's Round of 32 match at the Cincinnati Open against Alexandra Eala. Television announcers were baffled when she was spotted drinking from a clear plastic cup. Fans speculated it was beer, but it was later confirmed to be a Red Bull. Tour regulations apparently require players to pour branded drinks into neutral cups. This quirky moment, along with her dramatic on-court expressions, fueled her internet fame.

What is Anisimova's new mindset in tennis?

In a separate interview, the American star opened up about a significant shift in her approach. She has stopped 'hyperfocusing' on winning a Grand Slam or any other single goal. This change in perspective started with her decision to step away from the sport for a period last year. Anisimova now focuses on finding joy in the daily process. She believes this healthier mindset is key to her current success and her ranking inside the world's top 10.

How did she handle a partisan crowd in Cincinnati?

Her match against Alexandra Eala in Cincinnati was notable for more than the drink. Anisimova knew to expect loud support for her Filipino opponent from the local fans. She prepared for a challenging atmosphere and managed to secure the victory.

• Birthday Surprise: Teammates decorated her US Open locker with memes for her 25th birthday on August 31, 2026.
• Viral Moment: A mystery drink at the Cincinnati Open was confirmed to be Red Bull, not beer.
• Mental Shift: Anisimova credits stepping away from tennis and abandoning rigid goals for her current happiness and form.
• Current Rank: She is the world No. 10 competing at the US Open.