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<\/a> players about their thoughts on representing the Stars and Stripes.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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)<\/p>\n “I feel like the internet is \u2013 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.”\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n Anisimova, a finalist at the 2025 U.S. Open and Wimbledon, later addressed the incident involving the reporter, who OutKick reported<\/a> was freelance journalist Owen Lewis.<\/p>\n “In my other press conference, the fact that I didn\u2019t 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.”<\/p>\n Anisimova was initially asked at an earlier press conference how it felt to “play under the American flag right now.”<\/p>\n “I was born in America. So, I\u2019m always proud to represent my country,” the New Jersey native said. “A lot of us are doing really well, and it\u2019s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women\u2019s side and men\u2019s side. I feel like we\u2019re all doing a great job representing ourselves.”<\/p>\n 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 Jan. 19, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Robert Prange\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n TENNIS STAR AMANDA ANISIMOVA DISMISSES REPORTER’S CYNICAL QUESTION ABOUT US: ‘I DON’T THINK THAT’S RELEVANT’<\/a><\/p>\n But the reporter later clarified his question, asking\u00a0 “in the context of the last year of everything that\u2019s been happening in the U.S., does that complicate that feeling at all?”<\/p>\n Anisimova fired back, “I don\u2019t think that\u2019s relevant.”<\/a><\/p>\n Speaking to reporters Monday, she said it was wrong for fans to assume her politics based on that response, saying, “The fact that people assume that they know my stance on certain important topics is just wrong. It\u2019s not factual. It\u2019s tough, but I\u2019ve learned to get used to it.”<\/p>\n Amanda Anisimova reacts after defeating Naomi Osaka during the women\u2019s singles semifinals of the US Open tennis championships in Flushing Meadows, New York, on Sept. 5, 2025. (Frank Franklin II\/AP Photo)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n Many social media users, including former American tennis stars John Isner<\/a> and Tennys Sandgren, came to her defense and criticized the reporter\u2019s line of questioning, which other American tennis players, including Taylor Fritz, were asked.<\/p>\n Fox News Digital\u2019s Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.\u00a0<\/p>\n Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s sports coverage on X<\/a>, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n ![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tennis-amanda-anisimova-012226-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/tennis-amanda-anisimova-012226-4.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Amanda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/us-open-amanda-anisimova-semifinal-victory.jpg\")
<\/p>\n