Should Amanda Anisimova and Iga Swiatek swap coaches
There was a time when tennis players changed coaches only at the end of the season, but those days are gone evidenced by Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova parting ways with their coaches this week after Miami Open losses. Iga Swiatek was coached Wim Fisette, and Amanda Anisimova was coached by Hendrik Vleeshouwers. A reasonable argument could be made for Anisimova and Swiatek to swap coaches.
MORE: Worried Emma Navarro fans speculate what caused her sudden withdrawal from Charleston Open Why should Anisimova and Swiatek trade coaches? Fisette has coached a long line of Grand Slam champions. That is the next step in Anisimova’s career trajectory.
She was a two-time Grand Slam finalist in 2025 and needs an experienced coach to get her over the hump. Anisimova is learning that it is hard to come back after a breakout successful season, and Jasmine Paolini suffered the same letdown after being a two-time Grand Slam finalist in 2024. In that respect, Anisimova is making the coaching change at the right time with 1/3 of the season completed.
Vleeshouwers started coaching Anisimova after her mental health break from tennis. She has prioritized her mental health during the comeback, and her results have been good, both on and off the court. Anisimova is the first American he has coached; his experience is with Belgians, most notably Elise Mertens.
Swiatek is extremely talented, and what could be halting her progress right now is the mental aspect of the game. She rocketed to stardom and success quickly after Ash Barty’s unexpected retirement, and the rest of the field is catching up to her on the court. That takes a mental toll.