Amanda Anisimova hits back with a controversial gesture on Instagram in response to Mirra Andreeva’s accusations of gamesmanship after her medical timeout

Amanda Anisimova defeats Mirra Andreeva 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 to end her 13-match winning streak in the third round of the Miami Open.

Amanda Anisimova hits back with a controversial gesture on Instagram in response to Mirra Andreeva’s accusations of gamesmanship after her medical timeout

Mirra Andreeva and Amanda Anisimova (via X/BNP Paribas Open)

Amanda Anisimova produced one of the most courageous displays of her career on Sunday (March 23) by ending Mirra Andreeva’s dream of completing the Sunshine Double with a third-round victory. However, it was not the performance that dominated the headlines but a contentious medical timeout.

Andreeva arrived in Miami with hopes of dominating the tournament as she did in Indian Wells. The newly crowned Dubai and Indian Wells champion opened her account by thrashing Veronika Kudermetova in the second round. But in the third round against Anisimova, the Russian teenager looked far from her best.

YouTube video

She took a medical timeout for a stomach issue just three games into the match, which Anisimova was not too pleased with. The American retaliated by taking a medical timeout in the third set as Andreeva was about to serve while leading 3-1, 40-40. The 17-year-old was not pleased with Anisimova taking a timeout despite the umpire explaining to her that she had a blister on her right middle finger.

Andreeva reacted by saying, “We all know why,” accusing the Anisimova of gamesmanship. However, the break paid off for Anisimova, as an emotional Andreeva failed to find her rhythm in the match. That led the American to claim the victory 7-6(5), 2-6, 6-3 to end Andreeva’s 13-match winning streak.

After the match, Anisimova took to social media to post a video about the blister on her right hand proving to fans that she needed the medical timeout. She captioned that it was somehow a retaliation for the first set medical timeout Andreeva took just three games into the match

“‘We all know why'” at 3-1 up was a good one coming from 1-2 first set medical.

Amanda Anisimova wrote via Instagram story

Anisimova will now hope to take her form into the fourth round against Emma Raducanu. The No.17 seed has faced the British star only once, a tie which she lost in the second round of the Australian Open.

Amanda Anisimova says taking a medical timeout deep in the third set is allowed under tennis rules

Amanda Anisimova taking a timeout deep in the third set of her match against Mirra Andreeva was to make her opponent uncomfortable and lose her emotions. She revealed that when a player suffers an acute injury she is allowed to take a timeout. The American then added that the first-set medical timeout that Andreeva took was not ideal.

Amanda Anisimova
Amanda Anisimova (Image via X/Jimmie48 Photography)

Of course it wasn’t ideal. I think it broke the rhythm of the match a little bit, because we had just started. I was trying to pick up my rhythm after that. I was happy with the way I was able to fight and stay focused. My skin broke on my finger. When you get an acute injury you’re allowed to take a timeout, so that’s what I did.

Amanda Anisimova said via Miami Open Press

Anisimova, who win her first WTA 1000 title at the Doha Open is now focused on going deep into the Miami Open. The American is in a good form and has won eight of her last ten matches.

Coco Gauff ex-coach gives “2 cents” opinion about the controversial medical tim

Questions about whether a player is supposed to take a medical timeout in the middle of a match have become a debate among fans. Coco Gauff’s ex-coach, Brad Gilbert, took to social media to end the debate. He revealed that players aren’t supposed to take a timeout deep into a match and that if a player is to receive a timeout, she has to forfeit the match.

Just my 2 cents you should not be allowed to get treatment in the middle of a game especially on opponents serv, if you are to receive treatment there you should forfeit the game then you see trainer, also end of sets serving for match opponent should not be allowed to get injury TO…

Brad Gilbert wrote on X

The ATP and WTA will now have to look into the rules guiding medical timeout during matches, as players often have to use it to break rhythm their opponents. A blanket rule that wouldn’t create more controversy would be best implemented.