Amanda Anisimova attempts to clarify online controversies in Australian Open press conference

MELBOURNE, Australia—Amanda Anisimova spoke out about multiple online controversies that dogged her through the first week of the 2026 Australian Open after reaching the quarterfinals on Monday.

“I feel like the Internet, it's tough. It comes with the job, which is something I've learned to get used to,” Anisimova said after defeating Wang Xinyu to make it into the last eight for the first time in Melbourne.

“There are definitely days where it bothers me a little bit, and I tell myself it's okay to get upset or frustrated, because at the end of the day, I'm human. But yeah, I mean, it can be pretty difficult. It's not worth so much of my energy and time. That's something that I've learned to get used to.”

The No. 4 seed was at the center of two such dust-ups as her Australian Open campaign got underway, first after she declined to answer a question about U.S. politics, and later when a deceptive video surfaced accusing her of hitting a ball kid with a ball during a match.

“In my other press conference…I didn't want to answer a question that was obviously intended for just, like, a headline and clickbait,” Anisimova said. “That was my right. It had nothing to do with my political views or anything like that.”

Anisimova was one of several American players asked about U.S. politics and current events in the first week of the tournament; her response drew numerous comments on social media that attempted to infer her political leanings.

“The fact that people assume they know my stance on certain important topics is just wrong, and it's not factual,” she somewhat obliquely clarified.

Ansimova later posted and deleted a tweet in response to a circulating video, which attempted to equate an innocuous on-court moment with Novak Djokovic’s near-miss of a ball kid during his third-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp

“I didn't even hit the ballkid,” confirmed Anisimova, who would have been defaulted from the tournament if she had. “You couldn't even see it in the clip.

“People are always saying something. Yeah, people just love talking about stuff that's not even about the tennis.”

On the court, Anisimova has left little to question when it comes to her form, which she has impressively carried over from a breakthrough 2025 season. Yet to drop a set Down Under, the 24-year-old has now reached the quarterfinals or better of all four major tournaments, having reached the finals of the last two at Wimbledon and the US Open. Her win over Wang guaranteed at least one American woman will reach the semifinals by drawing No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula.

“We’ve always had some great matches,” Anisimova said of Pegula, who leads their tour-level head-to-head 3-0. “It's funny enough, I played her twice in the exhibitions in the pre-season. But yeah, I mean, she's such a great player. I really like her game. I'm sure it's going to be a tough battle again. We always, you know, really go for our shots when we play against each other. I feel like we always have really long rallies.

“I feel like I always have a chance against anyone,” she added. “In my head, I feel like every match is new and different. Yeah, I think the fact that I've never beaten her before is an extra challenge for me.”