Indian Wells star ‘tries to get an endorsement – Sports News
Yosuke Watanuki appeared to be trying to cash in on his newfound fame at Indian Wells by appearing to seek an endorsement deal in the middle of a match. Watanuki faced a tough challenge in the third round of the California tournament, going up against Frances Tiafoe, who is ranked 332 places higher in the ATP world rankings.
After winning the first set, Watanuki found himself down a break at 4-5 in the second set and in dire need of inspiration to avoid a deciding set. The Japanese player required a quick energy boost at a critical moment in the match and turned to his go-to source.
Unlike other players who opt for squash, bananas, or compact snacks, Watanuki made an unusual request for a can of Pepsi. During his brief break at the chair, the 26 year old was overheard asking the umpire, “Do we have them [Pepsi]?”
The official then dispatched a ball boy to retrieve an ice-cold beverage from the courtside fridge, which was handed to a delighted Watanuki.
Tennis TV commentator Jason Goodall joked, “[He] needs a sugary drink right now. He asked for a Pepsi…can one be found? Ah, there we go. Nice work with that, got to be right?”
At one point, Watanuki seemed to seek approval from his team to drink the soda, looking their way and raising the beverage with a smile. He then displayed the metallic blue can for the TV cameras, leading the commentator to quip: “[He’s] trying to get an endorsement.”
Watanuki’s playful action caused his team to chuckle, and if the American soft drink giant was watching the event in California, they might have taken notice.
After drinking the soda, it became clear that Watanuki’s performance improved. Pre-drink, his average topspin forehand was recorded at 77mph, but post-drink, it rose to 80mph, suggesting a positive impact from the sugar boost.
The revitalized Watanuki managed to break back against Tiafoe, saving two set points along the way. He forced a second-set tiebreak and emerged victorious, securing a memorable upset against the two-time U.S. Open semi-finalist and advancing to the round of 16.
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There, he will face world No. 43 Tallon Griekspoor, which will be another challenging match for the Saitama native. However, as long as his fridge is full of Pepsi, he’ll feel confident about defeating the Dutchman.
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