I can tell immediately when Greg is on song. I just think 'Wow'

The man behind Rusedski's rousing return to form tells Alex Hayes about the preparations and the palpitations

Sven Groeneveld is a Dutchman with a Swedish first name. He was, by his own admission, an average player, who never progressed beyond the Satellite tournaments. He first coached Greg Rusedski between 1998 and 2000, before resuming his partnership with the British No 2 in December last year. The reunion seems to be bearing fruit at Wimbledon, as Groeneveld's own diary of the week reveals...

Saturday 22 June

The tournament may not get under way for Greg until Monday, but for me everything starts here. Minute preparation is the key to success, so I come down to the All England Club to get organised. I pop into the referees' office to show my face and book a practice. Normally, a player will get 30 minutes, but, because Greg is a member here, we are allowed one hour on the main courts. We work on the basics, without thinking about Greg's first- round opponent. At this stage, the important thing is to downplay the hype surrounding Wimbledon.

Sunday

This is not a day off. It is important for the player to be in the groove as quickly as possible, so we get all the basics, like choosing a locker and getting rackets strung, out of the way early on. Then, we do a 45-minutes practice, concentrating on Greg's first opponent. We don't know much about Austria's Jürgen Melzer, except that he is a leftie who won Junior Wimbledon in 1999, and so can cut it on grass. I watch Jürgen practise before reporting back to Greg. After the session, I encourage Greg to go home. I don't want him thinking and talking tennis all day. We won't speak again until I receive the schedule in the evening.

Monday

I've been doing this job too long to worry on the opening morning of a tournament. Even Wimbledon has to be approached like any other event, although that is never as easy for the player. Thankfully, Greg is so professional and experienced that I don't need to tell him how important these two weeks are. If anything, I am here to take his mind off things. As Greg is third on Court One, we meet at lunchtime and have a 30-minute knock. We go through the tactics one last time and prepare for the match. I know we have done everything we can, but I still feel a few palpitations when Greg walks out on court.

When Greg's playing, I'm playing every point with him. Not that I have much time, as I am constantly taking notes. First rounds in Grand Slams can take a lot out of a player because they are usually nervy occasions, so I am pleased Greg has come through well.

Tuesday

We go over yesterday's match with the video and statistics that are provided by Wimbledon to any player who has been out on Centre Court or Court One. I point out three or four minor things, but make sure it's nothing too complicated. Greg needs to keep his mind clear ahead of tomorrow's tricky second- round against Hyung-Taik Lee. As ever, I have compiled an extensive file on the South Korean. He played well at Queen's a couple of weeks earlier, even taking a set off Tim Henman, so we need to be careful.

Wednesday

Greg plays well in the first two sets, but then switches off and loses four games on the trot. I know that Lee is a fighter, so I am slightly wary of the way things are going. But then Greg responds in fantastic fashion by bouncing straight back and racing away with the fourth set. As a coach, you are always a little worried when your player has a dip in form, but the key is the way he responds. Greg deals with the mini crisis so well that I barely need to mention it after the match. Instead, I focus on the positives, and the way Greg dug in. In the evening, I go out for dinner with some friends in Wimbledon Village, where I am renting a flat. The great thing about Grand Slams is that the whole tennis family comes together, so I can catch up with the old faces.

Thursday

It's Andy Roddick, the talented American, next. The key is for me to take away the pressure. Greg knows all too well that this is going to be a huge match, so my role now is to reassure. I tell Greg that everything has been going well so far, so there is no reason to change anything.

The routine is good, as is the conditioning: all we want is more of the same. That, of course, is easier said than done but, as a player gets older, he begins to know himself better. Greg is wise and perfectly aware of how well he is playing at the moment. On days like these, my job is easy.

Friday

It's funny, but I can tell almost immediately whether or not Greg is on song. Within the first two games, I notice that he is doing all the things we have spoken about the day before, and I sense he's going to be OK. But no one, not even Greg, could have anticipated such a brilliant performance. To beat Roddick 6-3 6-4 6-2 is some achievement and, at the end of the match, I just think, "Wow".

The simple fact of the matter is that the less time you're on court the more likely you are to do well in a Grand Slam. It's tough mentally and physically, so you have to conserve some energy.

Saturday

Yesterday's win was big, but it is important not to go overboard. I play it down, but I do not lie. Greg knows he's played well and it would be stupid to deny him his happiness. Today is all about enjoying the moment, having an early practice, and getting home as quickly as possible.

Tomorrow will be about the Belgian Xavier Malisse and, more importantly, the second week of Wimbledon. Anybody left in the tournament at this stage has got a really good chance. Greg knows that, though. That's definitely one thing I don't need to tell him.