Amanda Anisimova was one of the sport’s outstanding stars of the WTA Tour last year, reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals whilst also winning two Masters 1000 titles.
It marked the best campaign of her career by some distance, and the hope is that she can use the foundation she has built as a springboard for further success in 2026.
Naturally, the American must take plenty of credit for returning to tennis with such incredible desire and vigour.
However, she will also attribute much of her recent success to coach Hendrik Vleeshouwers and conditioning coach Rob Brandsma.
Speaking after her latest win at the Australian Open, she took time to speak about her team and how they help her not only off the court, but on it too.
Amanda Anisimova says why she sometimes has to apologise to her coach
Asked about mid-match coaching in general at a recent press conference, Amanda Anisimova seemed to be an advocate for that element of the game to remain.
She admitted: “Yeah, I mean, I think there’s a benefit to it. There’s obviously not much time we get to talk with our coaches. I think it’s important to use that time in the right way. I think a lot of times in the past I didn’t. I would kind of just use that time to express my frustration and not really listen to what my coach or team is saying.
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“But it’s something I’m working on. When I go to the side, I actually try to listen to what they’re saying and to use those moments to really calm down. But yeah, I think it’s a bit tricky sometimes because you’re obviously emotional when you’re going to the side, asking for help in like a hopeless moment. But I’m trying to turn that around and use that to my advantage more.”
Anisimova also claimed that she sympathises with her coaches too, adding: “Yeah, of course. I think most of the time we say things that we don’t mean, and it’s just because we’re so emotional on the court and in those tense moments.
“For sure, they definitely are in a pretty bad position sometimes with us. But yeah, if we ever do say something, I’m sure most of us apologise after the match. At least I’ve done that before.
“But yeah, I mean, sometimes it does get tough. As I said earlier, I’m trying to really learn how to actually work with my team, just keep my emotions at bay, at least when it comes to my team. I can express my own emotions, but I just try not to at them.”
Nick Kyrgios does not like on-court coaching
Tennis made a rule change about coaching after the 2024 season, in a move that left many tennis fans furious.
Nick Kyrgios has been one vocal critic, as a player who has famously gone through extended periods of his career without a coach at all.
Nick Kyrgios is good for tennis – Prove me wrong!
Back in 2022, when the rule change was still in its testing phase, the Australian was unafraid to voice his frustration at the proposed alteration: “Completely disagree. Loses one of the only unique traits that no other sport had.
“The player had to figure out things on his own. That was the beauty of it. What happens if a high-profile player versus a low-ranked player who doesn’t have or [cannot] afford a coach?”
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