'It bothers me': American star admits frustration after 'clickbait' question causes online stir
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American star Amanda Anisimova admits it has become "pretty difficult" dealing with online criticism after she reached the Australian Open quarter finals.
The world No.4 has been operating at an incredibly high level at the first grand slam of the year and is yet to drop a set in her four matches to date.
Anisimova will now move into an all-American clash with Jessica Pegula, which should have been the main talking point for her at Melbourne Park.
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Amanda Anisimova during her fourth-round win. Getty
However, there has been plenty of reaction and attention surrounding Anisimova following her press conference earlier in the tournament.
When asked about representing the USA amid the country's current political climate, she quickly shut the line of questioning down and brushed it off.
"I don't think that's relevant," she said.
In the days since that answer, social media had become divided regarding the 24-year-old's response to the question and her political views.
After cruising past Wang Xinyu in the fourth round, Anisimova was asked about a deleted social media post and how she has handled the discourse surrounding her.
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"I feel like the internet, it's tough," she said on Monday afternoon.
"It comes with the job, which is something I've learned to get used to.
"There are definitely days where it bothers me a little bit, and I tell myself it's OK to get upset or frustrated, because at the end of the day, I'm human. It can be pretty difficult.
"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.
Amanda Anisimova. Getty
"It had nothing to do with my political views or anything like that. The fact that people assume they know my stance on certain important topics is just wrong.
"It's tough. I've learned to get used to it. I felt like my tweet was just not worth it ... I just didn't want to give my energy."
Wide World of Sports did not see the post on X (formerly Twitter) that was referenced by Anisimova in the press conference prior to it being deleted.
Anisimova hasn't been the only American player to field questions on the same topic during the tournament, with Madison Keys and Coco Gauff also forced to respond to something that wasn't related to the tennis being played on the court.
Ben Shelton also found himself in the firing line after he wrote on a camera "USA til it's backwards" after his third-round match, but denied there was an "underlying message" to his statement and was simply supporting his fellow countrymen and women.
