Anastasia Potapova WTA US Open 2026 Amanda Anisimova

Potapova sparks outrage on social media for mocking Anisimova

Diego Jiménez Rubio - 5 Sep 2026
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Anastasia Potapova mocks Anisimova. Photo: Getty Images

Anastasia Potapova has always been characterized as a controversial and outspoken tennis player, but what she did after defeating Amanda Anisimova crossed a line and placed her at the mercy of social media. The Austrian-born Russian had the idea of clearly mocking Anisimova after beating her, and it became evident in how she recorded the situation.

It is important to mention that both players are contemporaries and grew up as great promises of world tennis, developing a close rivalry between them. After Potapova won 6-2 7-5 against Anisimova, no one expected to see such a nasty gesture as the one Anastasia made, laughing in her opponent's face as she left the court.

Potapova talked about her personal story in a press conference

There was no response from the American, and this matter was not addressed in the press conferences of either player, so it will end there, but social media heated up upon seeing Potapova's ugly gesture. The Austrian spoke in the press conference about other matters, such as her personal story.

"It hasn't been easy. I have had years where I really felt bad on the court, but I think everyone goes through moments like that throughout their career because we play for a very long time. Our careers don't last one or two years.

I have been on the tour as a professional in the top 100 for ten years now. It sounds a little scary because I'm only 25, right? Everyone thinks I'm much older.

I think it all boils down to having taken advantage of these years on the tour and all the matches I've played to learn. The people who have helped me understand certain things have been important as well. Maturity plays a very important role when it comes to improving continuously.

I have always felt that I wasn't really at the level I should be, especially in recent years. But, as we know, every time you go down and hit rock bottom, the only thing you can do is push yourself up.

I felt I wasn't where I needed to be. I knew I had the level, but some people take longer and others less. I still feel I have a lot of room to improve in the coming years."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Potapova desata la ira en redes sociales por burlarse de Anisimova