Sometimes in sports, friendships can be as compelling as rivalries, and the bond between Amanda Anisimova and Emma Raducanu exemplifies this dynamic. Having met through their mutual friend, Priscilla Hon, the two players have been each other’s hitting partners and have been seen enjoying each other’s company off the court. However, the excitement turns to tension as they prepare to clash in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open—a match that carries both personal stakes and professional ambition.

However, ahead of the clash, the atmosphere is surprisingly light-hearted, thanks to their mutual friend Priscilla Hon. Despite her early exit from the qualifiers, having lost against Kimberly Birrell, Hon has been sharing her vibrant experience in Melbourne on Instagram. One picture features a playful mirror selfie with Raducanu, captioned “My POV of Melbs so far 🎞️✌🏼” 

Seeing the post, Anisimova expressed her affection for Hon with a heartfelt comment: “🥹🥹🤍 love you.” While Priscilla is set to join ATP’s Alex Boltr in a mixed-doubles match on Thursday, Anisimova will face Emma in their first encounter at the R2 of the season’s first Grand Slam.

Both players have had their share of ups and downs in their careers, with Raducanu’s meteoric rise at the 2021 US Open and Anisimova’s impressive semifinal run at the 2019 French Open followed by struggles with injuries and mental health. Somewhere along the way, they developed a friendship.

This seems to raise the stakes of the upcoming match. But does this change their perspective of their friendship?

Amanda Anisimova opens up about her expectation of meeting a friend on court

After a solid start to her Australian Open campaign, Amanda Anisimova cruised past Maria Lourdes Carle with a convincing 6-2, 6-3 victory on January 14. This set up the stage for her match against close friend Emma Raducanu, who just defeated 26th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, where she fought off 15 double faults to secure a hard-fought win of 7-6(4), 7-6(2). It was a rollercoaster ride, but her resilience shone through when it mattered most.

However, during her post-match press conference, Anisimova acknowledged the unique challenge of facing someone she knows well. “We’ve both been around the tour,” she said. “We’re the same age. We also have a mutual friend, Priscilla Hon. We’ve hung out a few times all together. She’s a nice girl… I’m looking forward to the match. I’m sure it will be a good one.”

Meanwhile, they share a common struggle with injuries that have impacted their careers. Raducanu faced multiple surgeries in 2023—one on her right ankle and two on her wrists—that sidelined her for much of the year. As she entered 2025, she withdrew from the ASB Classic due to a “back niggle.”

Meanwhile, Anisimova dealt with undisclosed injuries during the 2024 Miami Open, keeping her out for nearly two months. Both players are now determined to make up for lost time.

As they gear up for their showdown on January 16, both players are eager to showcase their skills while keeping their friendship intact. With the Briton seeking her first third-round appearance and Anisimova looking to break her fourth-round jinx—the stage is set for an exciting match that blends camaraderie with fierce competition. How do you think it will go? Share your thoughts in the comments below.