Amanda Anisimova defends right to avoid 'clickbait' questions about US politics at Australian Open

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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 speak on political matters.

Speaking to reporters after her fourth-round victory over Wang Xinyu, Anisimova was asked about how she is handling the "discourse" that has surrounded her after a reporter asked her and several American tennis players about their thoughts on representing the Stars and Stripes. 

Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. is congratulated by Katerina Siniakova, right, of the Czech Republic following their second round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (Dita Alangkara/AP Photo)

"I feel like the internet is – it's tough. 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 U.S. Open and Wimbledon, later addressed the incident involving the reporter, who OutKick reported was freelance journalist Owen Lewis.

"In my other press conference, the fact that I didn’t want to answer a question that was obviously intended for just like a headline and clickbait, that 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 America. So, I’m always proud to represent my country," the New Jersey native said. "A lot of us are