Amanda Anisimova has parted ways with her coach, Hendrik (Rick) Vleeshouwers, just days before beginning her 2026 claycourt campaign. The American’s decision highlights a peculiar trend among the WTA players, including Iga Świątek and Jessica Pegula, among others.
Why Amanda Anisimova’s Coach’s Departure Comes at an Interesting Time
Anisimova began her collaboration with Vleeshouwers in 2024 after a seven-month mental health break. Her best result that year was a final at the Canadian Open. After starting 2024 ranked World No. 373, she ascended to No. 36 in the world by the end of the season.
The American achieved her best results with the Dutch coach in 2025, winning two WTA 1000 titles (Doha and Beijing) and reaching her first two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. The WTA honored Vleeshouwers with the Coach of the Year award, courtesy of his accomplishments with Anisimova.
In January this year, the tennis star reached her career-best ranking of World No. 3. She, however, failed to guard the position, incurring some tough losses and falling short as the defending champion in Doha. Days after her 6-2, 6-2 loss against Belinda Bencic in Miami, Anisimova announced that she had ended her partnership with Vleeshouwers.
The decision has yet again shone light on the bizarre WTA trend of player-coach splits that closely follow the ‘Coach of the Year’ recognition. In 2025, Jasmine Paolini separated from her longtime coach Renzo Furlan, who was the reigning Coach of the Year.
Świątek and her coach Tomasz Wiktorowski similarly split in 2024, while Pegula parted ways with David Witt in 2023. Incidentally, ever since the award was introduced in 2018, all but one coach has departed the following year. The moves coincide with players’ slight decline in results after career-defining seasons.
Amanda Anisimova’s Message to Her Coach After Split
During her final few tournaments with the Dutchman, Anisimova’s agitation with her performances was apparent. In one outburst at the Australian Open, she yelled at her team, hoping for some answers against Pegula. “Tell me something! Just sitting there, doing nothing,” she was heard saying. The American was regretful of her behavior hours later.
Amanda Anisimova peaked at No. 3 in the first week of January, but her discouraging results have dropped her to World No. 6. Her ranking won’t have a significant impact until the grass court season, considering the majority of her points came in the second half of 2025. The 24-year-old’s decision to search for a new voice ahead of the claycourt season, thus, seems wise.
In her farewell message to Vleeshouwers, she appreciated their accomplishments together. “It’s been quite the ride and journey together. Last year holds so many special moments and achievements together that I will never forget! We picked up some trophies and incredible milestones, but all the laughs and behind the scenes moments I’ll carry with me even more.”
Anisimova was thankful for the emotional bond she established with the coach. “Thank you Rick, thank you for everything you’ve done for me. For seeing and treating me as a human first, before an athlete. That meant the world to me, and made for a great partnership.”
The American is expected to resume her journey at the 2026 Charleston Open on March 30. While she hasn’t made any announcement regarding her coaching replacement, she is likely to be accompanied by the rest of her team, which includes conditioning coach Rob Brandsma and physiotherapist Shadi Soleymani.
