(VIDEO) "At this point I stopped rooting for Andrey Rublev": Banana-peeling method divides fans during 2023 Paris Masters

Andrey Rublev's bizarre banana-peeling technique at the 2023 Paris Masters has left fans divided on social media, with Australian player Daria Saville even weighing in on the debate.

The World No. 5 made it to the semi-final of the last ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka and Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets before overcoming a three-set battle with World No. 12 Alex de Minaur.

He then faced Novak Djokovic in the semi-final and was able to pose a real challenge to the World No. 1, but ultimately lost in three sets. However, as the epic battle went to a changeover, some fans were distracted when they saw the Russian player peel a banana from the bottom up.

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Fans get sidetracked by banana debate

This led to a full-on debate between fans on social media over the "right way" to peel a banana. Some defended Rublev's method while others said it made them "stop rooting" for him during the match.

"This is an easy way to peel a banana. He's right," wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"At this point in the match, I stopped rooting for Rublev," joked another.

"Actually, he has been doing it the right way, it's y"all who haven't!" commented a third.

"It’s great how unintentionally funny Rublev is," added a fourth.

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Even former World No. 20 Daria Saville chimed in, voicing her defense of Rublev.

"That’s actually the right way," she commented.

Whatever the verdict, the potassium clearly helped the 26-year-old as he went on win the next set 7-6 (3), even though Djokovic ultimately clinched the decider.

This is not the first time that Rublev has caused fans to discuss the fruit, as he was hilariously described by The Times as being "banana-powered" at the Australian Open in January after Dan Evans gave him one of his bananas only for Rublev to win their clash in straight sets.

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