Junior Santiago Gruter has one main opponent to overcome this season – himself

Coaches constantly preach to their players the importance of keeping a positive attitude.

IU men’s tennis coach Randy Bloemendaal has been trying to instill that positive mentality within junior Santiago Gruter. 

Gruter, a native of Lima, Peru, might be one of the more talented Hoosiers, but he has let his attitude slip in a few matches over the last two years.
 
Like all athletes, Gruter loves to win. He loves it so much, in fact, that he absolutely cannot stand losing. When a call goes against him, Gruter lets his disgust be known. He sometimes rides his emotions too much.

He and Bloemendaal recognized that problem late last year, and Gruter said he immediately began to focus on his attitude and body language. He understood that to become the player he came to IU to be, something had to change.

“I’ve really tried to stay positive out on the court, especially when things aren’t going my way,” he said. “I think you can see changes. It keeps me more stable when I’m playing a match. I’m not like a roller coaster ride with ups and downs. I’m more even-keeled.”

Gruter came to Bloomington to play for Bloemendaal. He met him during a tournament in Florida one summer, and Bloemendaal, who was an assistant at the time, showed interest in Gruter.

Gruter said Bloemendaal’s promotion to the head coaching position played a large role in his decision to become a Hoosier.

“Coach and I talked for a little while after one of my matches (in Florida), and he kept in contact,” Gruter said. “He is really trying to do good things with this program.”

Bloemendaal, through the recruitment process, has really gotten to know Gruter on a personal level. He cares about him. He pushes him.  
Bloemendaal wants to see Gruter reach his potential.

“Mentally, if he could improve 20 or 30 percent in the next semester, I think he has a chance to be one of the best players,” Bloemendaal said. “We’re trying to give him the tools to work on. We feel like he has the ability to make the jump so these next few weeks will tell us a lot about where he’s at.”

Gruter played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles for IU last year, but he is going to have to fight for that position during the 2009-10 season.

He has only played in one tournament this fall – the Hoosier Invitational – and he won a singles championship. As he takes the floor at this weekend’s ITA Regional in Bloomington, Gruter hopes to be taking home the hardware again.

“The regional is the biggest tournament we have in the fall,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be the biggest tournament for me. It’s going to be really cool because of the competition, and there are going to be some good players here.