Tennis players have become entrepreneurs and brand ambassadors for just about every product imaginable. The latest to receive a bold brand endorsement is Amanda Anisimova, who is sizzling in a recent LALO tequila photoshoot.
As expected, there was a lot of discussion on the internet and social media about world-class athlete Anisimova promoting alcoholic beverages, with one Twitter/X social media user criticizing her.
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Does Amanda Anisimova deserve the criticism?
These discussions always remind me of the debate over whether athletes are role models, a theory that Charles Barkley often shot down during his NBA career.
Some people believe that athletes should not support alcohol. However, some argue that gambling is much more harmful to sports fans these days.
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She’s not the only tennis player to promote alcohol. Did Belgian athlete Zizou Bergs receive similar enthusiasm for the LALO photo campaign?
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is a brand ambassador for Maestro Dobel Tequila and appeared at the Cincinnati Open last year to play the role of bartender.
Jessica Pegula wasn’t a Heineken brand ambassador when she appeared in the media after losing at the US Open a few years ago. She praised Heineken for helping her mitigate her losses and arrange for a doping urine test.
No one, including Amanda Anisimova, supports alcoholism.
We can agree that this is a great photo.
It’s no coincidence that tennis players are among the highest-earning athletes. Brand endorsements are often more profitable than tournament revenue. All the top players have received multiple endorsements.
Anisimova, 24, has come a long way in recent years since emerging as a teenage prodigy. The two-time Grand Slam finalist’s choice is a deliberate one and the internet should stop overanalyzing it.
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