Amanda Anisimova accuses reporter who asked political question of wanting 'clickbait'
NewsMonday, 26 January 2026 at 21:30
Amanda Ansimova has clarified why she avoided a question about the state of the United States of America, which other players from the country have also been asked.
Tennis players being asked political questions is not new, but it has become heightened in the last few years. Events like Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine and Donald Trump's election to a second term in the United States mean athletes from those countries are asked about politics.
Anisimova, Coco Gauff, and Madison Keys were among the WTA players asked by the same reporter at the 2026 Australian Open whether they had any thoughts on the current state of the United States.
Gauff and Keys were open about their dislike of the country's direction under Trump and would prefer to see what they would perceive as a kinder, more compassionate United States return.
Anisimova did not want to offer her opinion on the situation. Last year's Wimbledon and US Open runner-up stated she was always proud to represent her country and that political events were not relevant to that.
In an Australian Open press conference after beating Xinyu Wang, setting up a quarterfinal against Pegula, Anisimova said she felt the question was an attempt to create a headline and clickbait, and she wanted to protect herself from that.
"In my other press conference, the fact that I didn’t want to answer a question that was obviously intended for a headline and clickbait, that was my right. It had nothing to do with my political views or anything like that."
"The fact that people assume that they know my stance on certain important topics is just wrong. It’s not factual. It’s tough, but I’ve learned to get used to it."
Anisimova's caution is understandable. There are numerous instances of players being taken out of context or having answers selectively edited by publications to mislead readers. That means some athletes are not as candid as they would perhaps like to be.
Coco Gauff generated controversy with what she said about American fans at the 2026 United Cup
Coco Gauff is loved by millions in the United States. Many in the 21-year-old's home country view her as an outstanding role model and person, who inspires the next generation with how she conducts herself.
That view of Gauff, one of the biggest fighters in tennis and a charitable person, is accurate. However, she upset some by saying that American fans were the worst in one specific area.
Last year's French Open champion said her countrymen and women were the worst at supporting home players at events they were already attending, whether in the United States or elsewhere.
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Gauff was taken out of context by some outlets and online fans, who made it seem as if she was calling American fans the worst without any caveats. The WTA world No. 3 felt compelled to clarify more specifically to clear up any confusion.
Although some did not like it, Gauff's statement was accurate. Players like Joao Fonseca and Alexandra Eala receive greater support from Brazilians and Filipinos because there are relatively few players from those countries.
The lower American support is partly due to the United States having many players and talented athletes across many sports, a point Gauff made in her initial comments, but many chose to ignore that.
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