Emma Raducanu faced Amanda Anisimova in the second round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she secured a 6-3, 7-5 victory despite dealing with an injury. However, her use of a medical timeout during the match sparked controversy. At 3-0 down in the opening set, Raducanu called for a timeout to address a lower back issue. Following treatment, she returned to dominate, winning six consecutive games to claim the first set and eventually the match.
Her decision to take the medical timeout drew criticism from some fans, who accused her of “gamesmanship.” One fan on social media went as far as to label her actions “flat out cheating.” Despite the backlash, Raducanu continued to deliver a strong performance in the match.
The pair have no on-court rivalry and are, in fact, friends off the court. Anisimova confirmed their friendship by sharing a video on her Instagram story showing the two smiling together in Singapore. Both players were in Singapore to participate in the Singapore Tennis Open, which was set to begin on Monday.
Raducanu was scheduled to face Cristina Bucsa in the first round, with the potential for a semi-final clash against Anisimova if both advanced. Speaking about the event, Raducanu expressed her excitement about playing in Singapore, a place she described as one of her favorite locations in the world. She noted her affinity for the country, citing its fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as its use of both Mandarin and English, languages she speaks fluently.
Reflecting on her journey to Singapore, she recalled visiting the country after the Australian Open in 2022 and feeling an immediate connection. For Raducanu, the experience felt like being at home, as the environment resonated deeply with her identity.
Following her victory over Anisimova, Raducanu’s run in the Australian Open came to an end in the third round. She suffered a 6-1, 6-0 defeat at the hands of second seed Iga Swiatek. Despite the loss, the tournament marked Raducanu’s best performance at the Australian Open and her second time advancing beyond the second round at a Grand Slam since her historic 2021 US Open triumph.