AFTER two months of training, about 130 ball kids will be ready to go when the XL Bermuda Open starts next weekend at Coral Beach with two days of qualifying before the main draw begins on Monday, April 21.

President of the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association David Lambert said: "These ball kids work really hard with their teachers and I know they all look forward to the tournament.

"And on Sunday (April 20) some of the pros in the XL Open hold clinics for our junior players which we really appreciate. The pros remember when they were young and want to give back."

Weezie Scully, who along with Brent Smith, Gerri Swan and Dia Oubella, have been putting the ball kids through their paces at the Horizons courts, said this week: "We had close to 200 kids registered to be ball kids and the final number will be about 130."

And the kids do not have to be players to become ball kids ¿ although it can help.

"Some of our best ball kids are kids who have never played tennis. But having said that the kids who do play and have an understanding of the game have a bit of an advantage. It is a lot to learn if the kids are brand new to the game.

"We have been training them since February at the Horizons courts ¿ we always want to start training two months before the tournament begins. We write letters to all the middle and high schools inviting the kids to participate. A number of the kids have previously been ball kids as well but this year we have quite a young crop."

Scully said they impress upon the kids that the players coming to Bermuda are playing for their livelihood.

"Things can get a bit heated especially in the qualifying where sometimes you have 36 players vying for those four spots in the main draw. We talk to the kids and tell them stories of the past ¿ being yelled at in a foreign language!"

However, Scully said: "We try and put some humour into it and the players all end up signing autographs for the kids after their matches. We have experienced ball kids who tell them stories about being hit in the stomach with the tennis ball ¿ and these players can hit the ball hard! But no one has really been hurt bad. Also we tell them about picking up sweaty towels and how not to make a disgusting face when they do it!"

In training Scully said they have kids playing so they can simulate the game.

"And we teach them how to jump out of the way during the serves. Some of our more coordinated kids want to try and catch the ball but we emphasise that you have to let it hit the fence first.

"It is important for them to pay attention all of the time ¿ especially during the serves."

Getting the autographs are also a real thrill for the kids, she said.

"Sometimes they have these giant tennis balls that the players sign. The players are good with them and the kids know they cannot ask them for an autograph until the match is over. They mostly get their hats signed as well as the programmes."

All the kids will be dressed in navy shorts and forest green shirts and hats.