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American tennis star Amanda Anisimova criticized a journalist at the Australian Open for asking her “clickbait” questions about the representation of the United States under the Trump administration, saying she had the “right” not to speak about political matters.
Speaking to reporters after her fourth-round victory over Wang
Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. 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. (Dita Alangkara/AP Photo)
“I feel like the Internet is… it's hard. It comes with work, which is something I've learned to get used to,” he 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 other press conference, the fact that I didn't want to answer a question that was obviously intended to be a headline and click bait, was my right. 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 the United States. That's why I will always be proud to represent my country,” said the New Jersey native. “A lot of us are doing really well and it's great to see so many great athletes on both the women's side and the men's side. I feel like we're all doing a great job representing ourselves.”
Amanda Anisimova of the United States in action against Simona Waltert of Switzerland in 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 DISMISSES REPORTER'S CYNICAL QUESTION ABOUT US: 'I DON'T THINK IT'S RELEVANT'
But the journalist later clarified his question, asking “in the context of the last year of everything that's been happening in the United States, does that complicate that feeling at all?”
Anisimova responded: “I don't think that's relevant.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said it was wrong for bigots to assume his politics based on that response, saying: “The fact that people assume they know my stance on certain important issues is just wrong. It's not a fact. 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. (Frank Franklin II/AP Photo)
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Many social media users, including former American tennis stars John Isner and Tennys Sandgren, came to his defense and criticized the journalist's line of questions, which were also posed to other American tennis players, including Taylor Fritz.
Fox News Digital's Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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