AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 22, 2026

Amanda Anisimova

Press Conference

A. ANISIMOVA/K. Siniakova

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Amanda, another win here in Melbourne Park. Give us your thoughts on your performance today.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Thank you. Yeah, super happy with this win. It was a really tough match against a tough opponent. So yeah, just really happy to be through, and really enjoyed it out there.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. With how many matches you've played in Grand Slams over the last year or so, how many of them you've won, how comfortable do you feel in this sort of stage now, even when something gets a little hairy in the second set that you're going to be able to right the ship?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I feel like I've always been a player who likes a challenge. When things get a bit rocky, it's very competitive out there, I think I thrive on that. That's what I love about the sport, is those really tense moments.

And yeah, I've been able to come through and get to the finish line at Grand Slams, so that definitely helps with my confidence. But I don't really think about that in those moments. I'm just thinking about how to battle through, what I can do better.

Yeah, I really enjoy it.

Q. You were quite obviously getting frustrated at points. What do you gain midmatch from sort of letting out your frustration like that, vocalizing it?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, I'm not someone or a player who likes to keep my emotions in. I feel like that actually ends up backfiring on me and I get a little bit stiff if it goes on for a long time and I'm not able to express myself.

Yeah, sometimes it's probably not the greatest moments of mine (smiling). But I'm able to always regroup. Yeah, we're human, so I think it's important to sometimes let it out if you need to. I'm not afraid to do it.

I try and focus right back after.

Q. 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.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I was born in America. I'm always proud to represent my country. Yeah, a lot of us are doing really well. It's great to see a lot of great athletes on the women's side, on the men's side.

Yeah, I feel like we're all doing a great job representing ourselves.

Q. To clarify, 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?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I don't think that's relevant.

Q. One of the unique things about tennis is that you share a locker room with the players you play against. I'm sure you're used to it by now. When you first came on tour, was that an awkward feeling being around people you were going to play against?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Not necessarily. I never looked at it that way. Yeah, I don't think any of us really see it that way because we're around each other, like, in the dining, obviously in the locker room. I feel like it's always been a friendly environment.

We obviously practice with each other, as well. Yeah, I don't think most of us really experience that awkwardness. At least I don't.

Q. I wanted to ask about how you feel about coaches midmatch, whether you want different things from match to match, whether you talk to coaches. I'm thinking both tactically but also how much you want them to pump you up, that sort of thing.

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, I think there's a benefit to it. There's obviously not much time we get to talk with our coaches. I think it's important to use that time in the right way. I think a lot of times in the past I didn't. I would kind of just use that time to express my frustration and not really listen to what my coach or team is saying.

But it's something I'm working on. When I go to the side, I actually try to listen to what they're saying and to use those moments to really calm down. But yeah, I think it's a bit tricky sometimes because you're obviously emotional when you're going to the side, asking for help in like a hopeless moment. But I'm trying to turn that around and use that to my advantage more.

Q. Do you have sympathy with them? Aryna was saying she needs them to be mind readers, because sometimes she wants them getting behind her and other times that pisses her off. Do you feel that they're in a tricky position sometimes?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, of course. I think most of the time we say things that we don't mean, and it's just because we're so emotional on the court and in those tense moments.

For sure they definitely are in a pretty bad position sometimes with us. But yeah, if we ever do say something, I'm sure most of us apologize after the match. At least I've done that before.

But yeah, I mean, sometimes it does get tough. As I said earlier, I'm trying to really learn how to actually work with my team, just keep my emotions at bay, at least it comes to my team. I can express my own emotions, but I just try not to at them.

Q. Your next opponent, who is Peyton, you had a very tough match with her last year. What do you think of that match going in, how these conditions might change things from Madrid?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, no, she's a great player. Plays very physical tennis. It's good to see her doing well here. So yeah, I'm really looking forward to playing against her. I'm sure it's going to be a very tough match.

Yeah, she's for sure going to bring some challenges. But I'm really looking forward to it.

Q. A lot of players have come into the season with change of service motions. You've changed your service motion over the years a bit. From my perspective, it seems like players are much more willing to make big changes to their serves compared to their groundstrokes. Do you think that's the case? If so, why?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, I never really thought about changing much on my groundstrokes. Like, my serve is something I really want to improve on, so I've made a few adjustments there, some minor switches.

Yeah, I think we're always trying to get that extra edge on our serve because it's so important. I think some players have changed their groundstrokes a bit, but that's not something I've really touched on.

Q. I know you've talked before about your sort of art, reading and writing. What are your main sort of creative outlets when you're at a tournament like this? How are you working through all that?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't say there's any hobbies I have when it comes to painting or creating anything. I tried not really vlogging, but I make videos with my team, funny videos. That's something I do to get my mind off of things and keep things light between us. I think it's fun to do.

I love listening to music. I listen to music all the time. Yeah, we watch, like, shows together and stuff. But something I would really love to pick up is painting while I'm traveling. I think that would be fun. Maybe next time I stay at a house or Airbnb, I can buy a bunch of art supplies.

Yeah, I love doing stuff with my team and anything that's outside the tennis that takes our mind off of things is really nice.

Q. America is a divided place at the moment euphemistically. Do you ever find it difficult or distracting to play under the American flag?

AMANDA ANISIMOVA: I mean, I'm not planning to switch my nationality or represent a different country. I was born there, so it's not something that comes to my mind.

THE MODERATOR: We'll leave it there. Thank you.