![\"Walter](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776812595_899_16x9-(1).jpg\")
<\/p>\n ATP Tour
\n \u2018Wally\u2019 Grinovero: The driving force behind Team Etcheverry<\/p>\n
The Argentine coach is in his 26th year of coaching on Tour<\/p>\n
April 21, 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Omar Rasjido<\/p>\n
Walter Grinovero has coached Tomas Martin Etcheverry to his first ATP Tour title in Rio de Janeiro in February.
\n By ATPTour.com\/es Staff<\/p>\n
From his roots in Argentina and Parana, Walter “Wally” Grinovero has proven he is a coach who prioritises the team over individuals. He has long been a prominent figure on the ATP Tour.<\/p>\n
The Argentine\u2019s ability to channel Tomas Martin Etcheverry<\/a>\u2019s potential recently brought them to the pinnacle of their time together: a first ATP Tour title at the Rio de Janeiro ATP 500 event in February. But their journey and Grinovero\u2019s teachings began long before this promising present.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing a coach is something I always had in mind. Tennis is my great passion and I\u2019ve been lucky enough to have great players to learn from along the way,\u201d Grinovero told ATPTour.com. \u201cBut this is a team effort, the coach convinces the player and that\u2019s where it begins.\u201d<\/p>\n After a spell in Buenos Aires and France pursuing his playing career, Grinovero decided to hang up his racquet at the age of 27 and devote himself fully to coaching. With a solid second career that began with training Jose Acasuso<\/a> in 2000, Grinovero forged a reputation as a conductor who seeks not applause, but harmony among his orchestra.<\/p>\n In a sport that is normally notable for the solitude of its protagonists, Grinovero established a philosophy that breaks the mould: success is a collective process. His role is to accompany and guide, practically shunning any glimpse of the limelight along the way.<\/p>\n \u201cMy dream has always been to fulfil the dreams of the player I\u2019m working with at any given time\u2026 I\u2019ve always supported what the player wants and pushed him to believe more in himself and not set a limit,\u201d Grinovero said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my 26th year on Tour. When I started there were no videos or analysis, it was about watching matches, sitting down and taking note of shots and systems. That has changed. Today tactics are still there, but they\u2019re less important.\u201d<\/p>\n What changes have occurred on the court in his quarter-century of work?<\/p>\n \u201cPreviously, matches were won because players cramped up. In fact, I was one of the first to travel with a physical trainer, with Chucho (Acasuso),\u201d Grinovero said. \u201cToday the physical and tactical side is there, yes, but the mental and emotional part is the difference: the player has to be very intelligent and that\u2019s where the difference lies.\u201d<\/p>\n This environment of deep trust was decisive in the second phase of his partnership with Etcheverry. After three finals on Tour and a quarter-final at Roland Garros<\/a>, the coach took on the challenge in December of shaping the maturity of the player from La Plata, not only adjusting his aggression on court, but also strengthening his mentality.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s mentality is clear: always speak the truth, accept past \u201cmistakes\u201d in order to correct the present, and understand that each victory is the result of the joint effort of a technical team that travels, analyses and even suffers alongside the tennis player.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not easy to get a player to perform and there isn\u2019t just one rulebook for everyone. I\u2019m a different coach than I was with Fran Cerundolo,\u201d Grinovero said. \u201cEtcheverry had lost a bit of belief and was sad on court. It was about making him befriend himself, forgive himself, and believe that the potential was there, so we had to go back to basics.\u201d<\/p>\n After losing in the first three ATP Tour finals of his career, Etcheverry broke his drought under extreme and high-pressure conditions. The tournament in Rio became a true physical and emotional marathon.<\/p>\n You May Also Like: Tomas Martin Etcheverry: First-Time Winner Spotlight<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\u201cATP](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/atp-fantasy-article-banner.jpg\")
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