Tennis star's epic media spray over Twitter saga

A defiant Tennys Sandgren has fired back at critics with "preconceived ideas" of his personal views after exiting the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The American world No.97 lost his quarter-final to Hyeon Chung 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 to end his dream run at Melbourne Park.

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Sandgren's run to the last eight at the Open has brought to light his support for Donald Trump and interest in nationalist and alt-right politics.

The 26-year-old Tennessee native deleted all but one of his tweets in response to scrutiny of his political views.

Among those to share their public disapproval of Sangren was 23-time major winner Serena Williams, who unleashed a veiled attack on him before the Chung quarter-final.

Williams gave a very public 'thumbs down' to her fellow American on Twitter, causing the social media saga to erupt.

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"Turns channel," Williams tweeted as Sandgren took the court in his match against fellow outsider Chung.

The missive is being widely read as a reference to Sandgren's support for the politics of President Trump.

At his post-match press conference, Sandgren refused to answer questions around his personal views, instead reading a prepared statement suggesting a media conspiracy to "dehumanise with pen and paper and turn neighbour against neighbour".

"You seek to put people in these little boxes so that you can order the world in your already assumed preconceived ideas," he began.

"With a handful of follows and some likes on Twitter, my fate has been sealed in your minds.

"You would rather perpetuate propaganda machines instead of researching information from a host of angles and perspectives while being willing to learn, change, and grow.

"It's my job to continue on this journey with the goal of becoming the best me I can and to embody the love Christ has for me, for I answer to him and him alone."

Sandgren said he didn't think the social media firestorm affected his performance against Chung, calling it an amazing experience.

"It was kind of like an extremely difficult puzzle to try to figure out. I wasn't able to figure it out, but I enjoyed trying," he said.

The Tennessee native received a standing ovation from the Rod Laver Arena crowd after his straight-sets loss to Chung, and would leave the Open to "enjoy time with my family, turn off my phone and reflect on the last two weeks".

It's unclear whether Williams, who isn't defending her title at Melbourne Park after the birth of her first child in September, took issue with his politics or the personal criticism.

As a Jehovah's Witness, the 36-year-old does not vote but has previously expressed support for former president Barack Obama.

She is a UNICEF goodwill ambassador and has supported fundraising efforts for marginalised communities and anti-violence initiatives.

Sandgren's efforts in reaching the last eight - having never previously won a grand slam match - earned him a cheque for $440,000, almost doubling his career earnings and a climb into the world's top 60.