Amanda Anisimova celebrated her 25th birthday on Tuesday with a first-round victory at the U.S. Open, where fans at Louis Armstrong Stadium sang “Happy Birthday” to the American tennis player. The No. 10 seed defeated fellow American Ashlyn Krueger, marking a positive start to her campaign at the tournament.

Prior to the match, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) recognized Anisimova with a decorated locker featuring several viral images of her expressions and a sign that read “HBD Meme Queen.” Fellow players Mirra Andreeva and Daria Kasatkina were among those who posed for a selfie in front of the tribute.

Anisimova, known for her animated on-court demeanor, attributes her reputation as the “Meme Queen” in part to her love of the television show “The Office,” suggesting that her expressive personality might have been shaped by the series’ memorable characters. She recalled that during her breakthrough run to the French Open semifinals at age 17, she was unconsciously making numerous facial expressions that later became popular online. At the time, she was initially embarrassed by the images, but her perspective has since evolved.

“I definitely see [the memes],” Anisimova said before the tournament began. “They’re very entertaining and very funny. I didn’t always think that... I was mortified at first. I told myself, ‘Oh my God. This is awful. I can never make these faces again,’ but here we are today. I can’t help it. It’s who I am.”

Her most recent viral moment occurred during the Cincinnati Open when she was seen drinking from a clear plastic cup, which many assumed contained beer. Anisimova later clarified that the beverage was Red Bull, and said she had intended to keep the drink discreet under a towel. The incident unexpectedly gained significant attention.

Despite the memes and public attention, Anisimova has shown resilience on court, using her personality as part of her unique appeal in professional tennis as she continues to compete at the highest level.