Tennis players have become business people and brand ambassadors for practically any product you can imagine. The latest to make a bold brand endorsement is Amanda Anisimova who sizzles at a recent LALO tequila photo shoot.
As expected, the internet and social media had many opinions about Anisimova, a world class athlete, promoting an alcoholic beverage in which one Twitter/X social media user accused her of
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Does Amanda Anisimova deserve criticism?
These discussions always remind me of the argument of whether athletes are role models, a theory that Charles Barkley shot down frequently during his NBA playing days.
Some believe athletes should not be endorsing alcohol; however, others argue that gambling is far more detrimental to sports fans these days.
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She is not the only tennis player to promote alcohol. Did Belgian player Zizou Bergs get similar heat for his LALO photo campaign?
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is a Maestro Dobel Tequila brand ambassador and was playing the part of bartender at an appearance during last year’s Cincinnati Open.
Jessica Pegula was not a Heineken brand ambassador when she made a press appearance after a loss at the US Open a few years ago. She credited the Heineken for helping ease the loss and prepare her for doping urine tests.
No one, including Amanda Anisimova, is endorsing alcoholism
We can agree this is a great photo.
It is not an accident that tennis players are among the highest earning athletes. Brand endorsements often are more lucrative than tournament earnings. All of the top players have multiple endorsements.
Anisimova, 24, has come a long way in recent years since bursting on the scene as a teenage prodigy. The two-time Grand Slam finalist is deliberate with her choices so the internet needs to stop overanalyzing this one.
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