American tennis star Amanda Anisimova shut down a reporter who tried to steer her Australian Open press conference towards US politics
US tennis star Amanda Anisimova shut down a journalist at the Australian Open who tried to steer the conversation towards President Donald Trump. The 24-year-old was speaking to the press following her impressive 6-1, 6-4 second-round victory over Czech player Katerina Siniakova at Melbourne Park.
The post-match press conference should have been a moment of celebration for Anisimova’s progress in the Aussie Open. However, things took a turn when one reporter decided to bring politics into play.
The reporter asked: “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?”
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Anisimova, born and raised in America, responded: “I was born in America so I’m always proud to represent my country. A lot of us are doing really well.”
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She added: “It’s great to see a lot of great athletes on the women’s and men’s side.” But the reporter wasn’t done yet.
He continued: “In the context of the last year of everything that’s been happening in the US, does that complicate that feeling at all?” Anisimova, clearly annoyed by the persistent line of questioning, curtly replied: “I don’t think that’s relevant.”
A wave of political issues in America have crossed into the sporting world, with players, fans and managers all speaking out. Earlier this month, the devastating shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer triggered fury nationwide.
Former US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe was amongst those who publicly slammed the incident. The outspoken Trump critic shared her perspective on her podcast, ‘A Touch More,’ describing Good’s death as ‘just so sad.’
She said: “I think this has been abnormal for the entire time the Trump administration has been conducting these raids and disappearing people. They’re knocking people’s phones out of their hands.
“It’s lawful to do that. They’re basically intimidating and threatening people not to protest and not to track what they’re doing, and that’s a lot of what was happening in Minneapolis.
“The community coming out, keeping their eyes on ICE – where are they, trying to stamp their people, impeding them in what feels (like) a very unlawful way of doing these immigration raids.
“It’s just really sad. Obviously, our heart goes out to Renee Good’s family and her community and all the people that love her and support her.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
