Tennis Star Amanda Anisimova Shuts Down Reporter Baiting Her To Trash America

Amanda Anisimova quickly put a reporter in his place when he tried to bait her into trashing America during a press conference at the 2026 Australian Open.

The reporter wasted no time zoning in on a fully-loaded question targeting the political climate in the United States.

“I’ve been asking a lot of the American players how it feels to play under the American flag right now. I’m curious how you feel,” he said.

Anisimova wasn’t having any of it. She started off by maneuvering around the political aspect and centering answer around how proud she is to represent her country. When he pushed further, she effortlessly shut him right down.

Amanda Anisimova was asked if what’s been happening in the U.S. over the last year complicates her feelings of playing under the American flag

“I’ve been asking a lot of the American players how it feels to play under the American flag right now. I’m curious how you feel..”… pic.twitter.com/hFMYBT05SE

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 22, 2026

Anisimova began by responding to the question posed by saying, “I mean I was born in America so I’m always proud to represent my country and yeah, a lot of us are doing really well.”

She continued, “It’s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women’s side, on the men’s side, so yeah, I feel like we’re all doing a great job representing ourselves.”

The reporter wasn’t satisfied, and he made the mistake of following up in an apparent attempt to push the tennis star to comment on American politics.

“Just to clarify a little.. I mean… sort of in the context of the last year of everything that’s been happening in the U.S., does that complicate that feeling at all?” he asked.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – APRIL 09: Amanda Anismova returns a shot to Ons Jabeur of Tunisia during the semifinals of the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium on April 09, 2022 in Charleston, South Carolina. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Anisimova barely batted an eye while firmly refusing to engage in trashing her country.(RELATED: Ellen DeGeneres Fires Off Tone-Deaf, Self-Indulgent Minneapolis Post)

“I don’t think that’s relevant,” she said, putting a quick end to the reporter’s line of questioning.

Anisimova is coming off a breakout 2025 season. She reached a career-high ranking of world No. 3 in January 2026. She reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon, U.S. Open) and won two WTA 1000 titles (Doha, Beijing) in 2025.