Sandra Vincent was a volunteer at the 2004 Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, and worked as a Ball Kid Coordinator. We thank her for sharing her unique perspective of the tournament and some of its stars.

It?s so hot. Standing on the court watching, waiting for play to begin. Staring across the net, you can see the player getting ready to serve. Where will the ball land? All these eyes watching you.

Are these the thoughts of a tennis player? Actually, no. They are an everyday reality for a ball kid. One of the 102 ball kids used at the Pacific Life Open tournament.

What have I witnessed during the last two weeks as a Ball Kid Coordinator? Well, I could best sum it up by using the title from a movie -- ?The Good, The Bad and The Ugly!?

Here?s a little ?inside view? from two weeks of play:

A whale of an incident!

The first Sunday of the tournament the kids were down on center court early. Who should be working out before the first match?... Roger Federer. Oh, they were excited, especially when they were given whales to throw up to the public. One whale was specially earmarked for Mr. Federer. What a great reaction... smiling and thanking the ball girl, so cute, her blonde curls bouncing. ?Can we take a picture with him??, they all asked. Well, Roger was very nice, let three kids have pictures with him. Under his breath he said, ?Just make it quick.?

When the rest were disappointed that he was leaving, a suggestion was made that they run into the tunnel and catch him before he went up to the players? locker room. Did Mr. Federer oblige? No, he told all of them that he wasn?t interested in signing any autographs. Each of the kids came back deflated.

Perhaps the world number one might have been a little kinder if he realized that these very same kids were to work his match four hours later. I was proud of each one of them. They never let their disappointment show. Way to go, Mr. Federer.

The English ?gentleman?

He looks like a kid himself. Fresh faced, must have been a choirboy. I am referring of course to Tim Henman. An English gentleman you say?

During one of his matches I witnessed perhaps one of the ugliest exchanges a player had during the tournament with a ball kid. We had one boy, a little chubby, who worked his tail off in 100 degree heat. Perhaps he was a step slower than most.

Mr. Henman would have none of it. Talked directly to the boy, told him he was slow, and asked him, how on earth did he become a ball kid? Then Tim went to the umpire?s chair and complained, pointing to the poor lad, and making it quite clear that he never wanted to see the boy on ?his? court again.

We had to remove the boy who, by this time, was mortified and had burst into tears. That?s when being a mother really helps. You just wanted to pull him to you and tell him that everything will be all right. Would hate to have you as a father, Mr. Henman.

The foul-mouthed German

Players are emotional, of course. There?s a lot at stake with every swing of the racket. Coming back from injury must be really tough. Earning the respect of the players again. Believing in yourself. Tommy Haas went far in at the Pacific Life Open, his best performance since returning to the circuit.

All the ball kids were excited when they learned that they were to work his match - Haas vs Albert Costa. Two great tennis players. They had more than just contrast in styles! While Mr. Costa was a gentleman -- sweet, kind, and very patient with towel use and ball returns -- the same could not be said of Mr. Haas.

Haas was bad-tempered and impatient from the start. I had to warn the ball kids within the first few games of the first set not to take any notice of what he said. Swearing (in 4 languages) was only part of the story. He never got his towel fast enough. He never got the balls on his racket accurately enough. He was constantly getting coached from the sidelines, in blatant view of the umpire and linesman (who did nothing).

He stomped, he screamed, he performed like a spoiled brat. Half the kids were scared of him and never looked him in the face.

Whatever happened to good sportsmanship? Well, Mr. Haas, you won the match, but lost the respect of every ball kid on the court that day.

Same-ball-itis

One female player (sorry, she has to remain unnamed), had a very interesting quirk. She would play a point only with the ball she just won the last point with! Got it? Yes, that?s right - find the ball quickly because she won?t serve until she gets the exact same ball back. No pressure here! All the kids were so scared that they wouldn?t keep track of the last ball, that they forgot to listen if she won the point! She won the match... and the kids were exhausted from following ?that? ball.

Kim the Good

One of the nicest incidents at the tournament was out of the public view. A shame, because it brings back your faith in ?superstars.?

Miss Kim Clijsters gets my vote for ?Nicest Player Of The Tournament.? Genuine to her Fila-booted feet. In the tunnel, after a hard workout on center court, thirteen ball kids were walking out with her. We take the stairs, she takes the elevator. Her security guard got angry when four of the kids asked if they could have her autograph. ?No, leave the player alone? was the answer from security. Kim turned around and told the security guard with a smile, ?These kids are going to work for me for hours in the baking sun, the least I can do is sign their autographs.?

She did, all of them. She even stayed and answered their questions, let them take pictures, and smiled the entire time. Your mother and father should be very proud of you, Kim. Thank you.

Wrap-up

During the tournament I was repeatedly asked by the general public about the ball kids. How were they picked? Were they local kids? How did they get time off school? What did they get for working the tournament? How did we take care of them in the heat? Here are the answer to those questions:

Six weeks before the tournament starts they undergo practice sessions and competition to see if they make the grade. Over 190 kids came to practice sessions, and 102 made the cut. Most of the kids are local, but some come from outside the area.

What do you get for being a Pacific Life Open ball kid?:

• A uniform from Fila
• $9 in food tickets per day
• All the water, hydralight and snacks you can consume
• A guest pass every day for your parents
• A chance to be at the Opening Ceremonies and Finals
• A chance to meet some of the players
• 2 hour shifts with one hour off - working days (10am - 5pm), nights (5pm - closing)
• No money - just community service hours

By the way - the Ball Kid Coordinators receive the exact same privileges. Plus, we get to look after the 102 kids! Let me assure you, we really do look after them. To me, they were my own for 2 weeks.

Thank you kids, you are simply the greatest.