Who are Amanda Anisimova’s coaches? Rick Vleeshouwers and Rob Brandsma
Amanda Anisimova has been in career-best form in 2025, hitting the heights that she promised to reach during an impressive junior career and her early breakthrough into the senior game.
The American ace has not found things easy in recent years, losing her father in 2019 and taking a mental health break from the sport in 2023.
However, recent months have seen Anisimova win her first WTA 1000 title in Doha, after a Canadian Open runner-up finish last month, and return to the second week of Roland Garros.
Now, the American can call herself a Grand Slam finalist after reaching the championship match at Wimbledon, and will break the top 10 of the WTA Rankings post-tournament.
In recent months, her success has been guided by coach Rick Vleeshouwers and fitness trainer Rob Brandsma, two figures who have proven instrumental in her rise.
Here, we look at the experience both Vleeshouwers and Brandsma have brought to Anisimova’s entourage.
Who is Rick Vleeshouwers?
Dutchman Vleeshouwers joined Anisimova’s team in 2024 and has been instrumental in her recent success.
Earlier on in his career, Vleeshouwers worked at the Kim Clijsters Academy in Belgium and would later coach Belgian tennis stars Yanina Wickmayer and Elise Mertens.
Since working with Anisimova, the 23-year-old has dramatically risen back up the tennis pecking order, and could be ranked as high as world No 5 should she win Wimbledon.
Anisimova won the third and biggest title of her career at the Qatar Open back in February, and also went on to reach the Queen’s Club final under Vleeshouwers’ guidance.
Writing a touching message to Anisimova on Instagram after her Doha triumph, the Dutchman praised his charge’s fighting spirit.
Tennis News
Who is Iga Swiatek’s psychologist? Daria Abramowicz – who the Pole credits for making her ‘smarter’
Amanda Anisimova achieves amazing Grand Slam feat with epic Aryna Sabalenka Wimbledon win
He wrote: “I am incredibly proud @amandaanisimova for more things that I can write down but besides the big achievement what stands out is your personal growth along the way!
“I also want to take a moment to appreciate the team effort and all the work that has put in. Commitment doesn’t go unnoticed and makes all the difference! Thanks to everyone involved! Rome wasn’t built in a day and slowly is still the fastest way up.
“Believing in yourself is a superpower and keep that lionheart and elephant skin always! Let’s keep going champ!”
Who is Rob Brandsma?
One of the most experienced strength and fitness coaches working in the game, Brandsma is currently on his second spell in the Anisimova entourage.
Brandsma initially worked with the 23-year-old at the end of 2021 and across 2022, a spell in which the American won her second WTA title in the Melbourne Summer Set, and reached the second week of the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Before his initial work with Anisimova, he, much like Vleeshouwers, had worked with WTA Tour star Mertens, and he also spent a lengthy spell working with Zheng Qinwen.
Brandsma’s time with Qinwen coincided with her run to the final of the 2024 Australian Open title and her Asian Games title in 2023, before they parted ways last spring.
He restarted working with Anisimova after that and has now been in her entourage for the biggest successes of her career.
Read Next: The 6 American women to win Wimbledon in the Open Era: Can Amanda Anisimova end nine-year wait?
