Top Tennis Star Amanda Anisimova Fires Coach After Bizarre WTA Trend

Anisimova's split with coach Rick Vleeshouwers follows a pattern of top players parting ways with their coaches after they win 'Coach of the Year' award.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 3:48pm

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American tennis player Amanda Anisimova has parted ways with her coach, Rick Vleeshouwers, just days before the start of the 2026 clay court season. This decision highlights a concerning trend among top WTA players, including Iga Świątek and Jessica Pegula, who have also split with their coaches shortly after those coaches won the 'WTA Coach of the Year' award.

Why it matters

The timing of Anisimova's coaching change, coming right after Vleeshouwers was named 2025 WTA Coach of the Year, is particularly notable. This pattern of top players firing their award-winning coaches has become a strange phenomenon in women's tennis, raising questions about the pressures and expectations these players face after career-defining seasons.

The details

Anisimova began working with Vleeshouwers in 2024 after a mental health break, and the partnership proved highly successful. Under Vleeshouwers' guidance, Anisimova won two WTA 1000 titles in 2025 and reached her first two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. However, after starting 2026 ranked World No. 3, Anisimova has struggled with some tough losses, leading her to end the collaboration just days before the clay court season.

  • In January 2026, Anisimova reached a career-high ranking of World No. 3.
  • In March 2026, Anisimova announced she was parting ways with coach Rick Vleeshouwers, just days before the start of the clay court season.

The players

Amanda Anisimova

A 24-year-old American tennis player who reached a career-high ranking of World No. 3 in 2026 before parting ways with her coach, Rick Vleeshouwers.

Rick Vleeshouwers

Anisimova's coach since 2024, who was named WTA Coach of the Year in 2025 after guiding her to two WTA 1000 titles and her first two Grand Slam finals.

Iga Świątek

A top WTA player who also split with her coach, Tomasz Wiktorowski, in 2024 after he was named WTA Coach of the Year.

Jessica Pegula

Another top WTA player who parted ways with her coach, David Witt, in 2023 after a career-defining season.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Amanda Anisimova

“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.”

— Amanda Anisimova

What’s next

Anisimova is expected to resume her journey at the 2026 Charleston Open on March 30, though she has not yet announced a replacement for her former coach, Rick Vleeshouwers.

The takeaway

The pattern of top WTA players parting ways with their coaches shortly after those coaches are named 'WTA Coach of the Year' raises concerns about the pressures and expectations these players face after career-defining seasons. Anisimova's split with Vleeshouwers is the latest example of this bizarre trend, which has now impacted several of the tour's biggest stars.