Tennis courts might be battlefields for fierce matches. But they’re also where some of the strongest friendships are born. And proving that rivalries don’t have to end at the net is the growing camaraderie between Russian star Anna Kalinskaya and Australia’s Priscilla Hon. Despite facing a setback at the Brisbane International, their bond seems unshaken, and it is a refreshing reminder that tennis is as much about connections as it is about competition.

Kalinskaya and Hon depicted some thrilling performances together in Brisbane. The duo advanced to the finals in the doubles category and baffled some tough opponents on the courts. However, they could not convert their momentum into the ultimate glory and fell short to Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva, who baffled them in straight sets, 7-6(6), 7-5. But despite the loss, both Kalinskaya and Hon kept the glow alive, as their latest social media post remains the telling evidence. 

Taking to Instagram, Hon shared some visuals of the duo from their campaign. In the first two pictures, fans witnessed the Russian beauty and her Aussie counterpart smile, while taking on their opponents. Besides, in the video shared by Hon, she can be seen engaging in some funny conversation with Jannik Sinner’s girlfriend, Kalinskaya, on several occasions across the tournament. Captioning the post, the Aussie star wrote, “We somehow laughed our way into the final 😅🥲🫶🏼 @brisbaneinternational.” 

Not only do these pictures demonstrate the resilient traits of both players but they also show their bond, which has come to light, time and again. Earlier, Kalinskaya reshared a video from their quarterfinal clash against Chan Hao-ching and Lyudmyla Kichenok. In the visuals, we saw Hon leading the charge while shooting most of the winning shots. Lauding her counterpart over her remarkable performance, Kalinskaya hilariously wrote, “I’m on court just to clap 🤣.” Besides, fans saw the duo enjoying good times together during the New Year celebrations. 

While Kalinskaya was seen in a satin blue co-ord set paired with a white T-shirt, Hon wore a black pantsuit with a same-color corset. Meanwhile, it is not just Kalinskaya’s newfound friendship with Hon that is capturing the spotlight. The star player has remained ambitious for the ongoing season, setting remarkable goals for herself.

Anna Kalinskaya makes an honest confession about her ambitions in 2025

Anna Kalinskaya proved her mettle in the last season. Although she could not win any title, she remained consistent and could finish her year at the 14th spot. Now, as she gears up for more tournaments this season, the star player has remained ambitious. Moreover, one of her goals came to light recently. 

Kalinskaya and her fellow players were asked who they believed would achieve a new milestone this season. While several players had different takes, Kalinskaya ensured to depict her confidence. When quizzed in a video on the WTA Instagram page, “Who will reach their first Grand Slam Final this year?” she simply said, “Hopefully, it’s me,” She also revealed that she wishes to attain a balance in her life this season.

In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in December 2024, Kalinskaya said, “I think [the key is to] change some things in my life — not training, but adjust a little bit my lifestyle to make it more simple, enjoy things on my off days to have a good balance. And have a better schedule to know when you can see your friends so you can be happier outside of the court.”

As more tournaments unfold, it would be interesting to see how Kalinskaya performs and if she engages in more partnerships with Priscilla Hon.