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American tennis star Amanda Anisimova called out a reporter at the Australian Open for asking “clickbait” questions about representing the United States under the Trump administration, saying it was her “right” not to talk about political issues.
Speaking to reporters after her fourth-round win over Wang Xinyu, Anisimova was asked how she deals with the “discourse” that has surrounded her after a reporter asked her and several American tennis players their thoughts on representing the Stars and Stripes.
Amanda Anisimova of the United States is congratulated by Katerina Siniakova, right, of the Czech Republic after their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
“I feel like the Internet is — it’s hard. It comes with the job, which is something I’ve learned to get used to,” she said, adding that there are days “where it bothers me a little bit.”
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Anisimova, a finalist at the 2025 US Open and Wimbledon, later addressed the incident involving the reporter, who OutKick reported was freelance journalist Owen Lewis.
“At my second press conference, it was my right not to answer a question that was obviously meant for like a headline and clickbait. It had nothing to do with my political views or anything like that.”
Anisimova was initially asked at an earlier press conference how it felt to “play under the American flag right now.”
“I was born in America. So I’m always proud to represent my country,” said the New Jersey native. “A lot of us are doing really well and it’s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women’s and men’s side. I feel like we’re all doing a great job of representing ourselves.”
Amanda Anisimova of the United States in action against Simona Waltert of Switzerland during the first round on Day 2 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)
TENNIS STAR AMANDA ANISIMOVA REJECTS REPORTER’S CYNICAL QUESTION ABOUT US: ‘I DON’T THINK IT’S RELEVANT’
But the reporter later clarified his question, asking “in the context of the last year of everything that’s happened in the United States, does that complicate that feeling at all?”
Anisimova shot back: “I don’t think it’s relevant.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, she said it was wrong for fans to assume her politics based on that response, saying: “The fact that people assume they know my position on certain important issues is just wrong. It’s not factual. It’s hard, but I’ve learned to get used to it.”
Amanda Anisimova reacts after defeating Naomi Osaka during the women’s singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, on September 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
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Many social media users, including former US tennis stars John Isner and Tennys Sandgren, came to her defense and criticized the reporter’s line of questioning, which other US tennis players, including Taylor Fritz, were asked.
