"Always bringing a good energy into the room": Friends off the court collide as Amanda Anisimova clashes with Emma Raducanu

Friends off the court collide overnight as Emma Raducanu will face off against Amanda Anisimova as they set their friendship in pursuit of glory at the Australian Open.

Anisimova rocking a new brunette look will aim to set her stall for a further return after glimmers in 2024, while Raducanu also aims for the same setting up a top clash.

"We've both been around the tour," Anisimova told reporters after her win over Maria Lourdes Carle in the first round. "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.

"She's always bringing a good energy into the room. Also an amazing competitor. I'm looking forward to the match. I'm sure it will be a good one."

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Like Raducanu, Anisimova had a stark rise at a young age so shares some sort of kindred nature with her friend off the court.

"I think last year had a lot of ups, for sure, and some downs," Anisimova said. "I was struggling with some injuries and just getting used to playing the full circuit again.

"I feel a lot more confident in myself now as opposed to last year when I was playing here. I still did pretty well last year, but I was kind of going into the tournament without any expectations. Just grateful to be playing. I feel like I have a bit more confidence on my back going into the Slam. Regardless of the result, I feel like I'm just building blocks up every single week and just working on the physicality and my skills every week."

"I think there are a lot of lessons that I had to learn," she said. "You grow up very quickly, but at the same time I feel like that really prepares you for your career.

"Like we both have so much ahead of us. At the same time we're very young and we have so much experience, so I feel like that serves us with a lot of positives.

"I feel like when I play these Slams, I handle the nerves better because I've been on so many big stages at a young age that comes with a lot of experience."

But while they are facing off, Anisimova won't avoid Raducanu in the corridors. "I personally don't take it so seriously," Anisimova said. "It's not like we're going to war with each other. There's no need to kind of avoid each other at the end of the day.

"But once we're on the court, we just try and put our best tennis out there and just enjoy it."

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