Tennys Sandgren faces questions about social media links to alt-right movement

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American Tennys Sandgren continued his dream run at the Australian Open, reaching the quarterfinals in his debut appearance at the year's first Grand Slam event. USA TODAY Sports

Tennys Sandgren, the last American remaining in the Australian Open men's field, said in a post-match press conference Monday that his social media activity is not indicative of his beliefs.

After Sandgren's win over No. 5 seed Dominic Thiem on Monday, a reporter asked the 26-year-old Tennessee native about some of his social media activity, including a re-tweet last month of an alt-right personality who attended the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va.

Sandgren was asked if he was concerned about being linked to "some of these controversial figures."

"I mean, no. I'm not concerned about it," Sandgren said as a public relations official tried to move on to the next question. "It's fine, it's fine. Look, who you follow on Twitter I feel like doesn't matter even a little bit. What information you see doesn't dictate what you think or believe. I think it's crazy to think that. I think it's crazy to assume that, to say, 'Oh well he's following X person so he believes all the things that this person believes.' I think that's ridiculous.

"That's not how information works. If you watch a news channel, you wouldn't then say that that person who's watching the news channel thinks everything that the news channel puts out. You wouldn't think that."

Sandgren, who had never won a main draw match in a Grand Slam prior to this tournament, laughed as the reporter asked the question and bristled at the notion that he had "debated Pizzagate" on social media. 

"Debated? That's interesting. OK," Sandgren said.

MORE: Novak Djokovic is upset; Tennys Sandgren is on a roll

MORE: Roger Federer into quarterfinals with three-set win vs. Marton Fucsovics

Sandgren later welcomed the reporter to ask him about his beliefs, rather than "lump (them) in" with the social media accounts he follows. The reporter followed up by asking Sandgren if he supports some of the tenets of the alt-right movement.

"No. No I don't. I find some of the content interesting, but no I don't. Not at all," Sandgren answered. "As a firm Christian, I don't support things like that. I support Christ and following Him and that's what I support."

Sandgren, who is the 97th-ranked player in the world, will face 21-year-old Hyeon Chung of Korea in the quarterfinals Wednesday. Chung knocked off Novak Djokovic in straight sets Monday.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

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Roger Federer celebrates his win against Marton Fucsovics in the fourth round.  JOE CASTRO, EPA-EFE

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Angelique Kerber in action against Hsieh Su-Wei during their fourth round match.  JOE CASTRO, EPA-EFE

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