"Thank you Rick, thank you for everything you’ve done for me" - Amanda Anisimova parts ways with coach Rick Vleeshouwers after hugely successful stint

There is more huge WTA news regarding coaches leaving. Following Iga Swiatek's split with Wim Fissette, Amanda Anisimova has announced that she and her coach, Rick Vleeshouwers, have parted ways.

The Dutchman has been instrumental in overlooking Anisimova's rise to becoming one of the best players in the world in recent times. He joined at the start of the grass court season on 2024, seeing success from an early point after the American reached a first WTA 1000 final, losing the Cincinnati Open to Jessica Pegula.

She continued to improve, living up to the hype from a young age by winning the Qatar Open. This marked her as a huge talent that needed to be kept an eye on and showed the impressive work that Vleeshouwers had done.

This would be showcased on the biggest stage. Around a year after joining forces, Anisimova reached the final of Wimbledon after defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals. It was a first Grand Slam final, but she would not even get a game out of it after being blown away by a terrific Swiatek.

She showed her mental strength and resilience to come out all guns blazing in the US Open, getting her revenge against the Pole enroute to the final before losing out to Sabalenka. She culminated her year at the WTA Finals, debuting in the event and making it out of a ridiculously competitive round robin phase before losing out in the semi-final stage.

It is fair to say that Anisimova has not lived up to the hype in 2026. She would have hoped for better results and to continue rocketing up the rankings, debuting as high as three before the action started, but it has not worked out like that.

She began with an early exit in the Brisbane International before reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, again losing to Pegula. Her Qatar Open title defence was halted in the first round after she retired before a much-improved run to the Dubai semi-final saw her come short to an inform Pegula once more. A brace of last-16 exits in the Sunshine swing is not where she would want to be, not getting close to competing in the biggest finals.

This could have come into the decision for them splitting up as the world number six posted a heartfeul message on her Instagram page attached with two pictures of her and her former coach.

"It’s been quite the ride and journey together," she wrote. "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. 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. Your dedication, loyalty, and passion is undeniable! I wish you nothing but happiness and success in whatever comes next for you in this chapter."

It is yet to be seen who she will bring in as her next coach. It also comes at a pivotal time in the calendar with the clay swing set to get started. She will stick around in her home country a little longer to compete in the Charleston Open.