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Even though Nadia Petrova of Russia is ranked 8th in the world tennis rankings she still has time to show kids a few things about tennis.
Last Thursday morning as workmen were busy putting the finishing touches on the Stadium at the La Costa Resort and Spa, Petrova stepped onto the court to hit a few balls with the Acura Classic ball kids.
The Russian tennis star, who took a break from her pre-Acura Classic workout, began by going through a few drills with the kids on Stadium Court as they traded forehands and backhands.
During one drill when the 23-year-old Petrova came to the net, she laughed as one ball girl smacked a net cord winner past her.
"I had some extra time today," Petrova said. "It's important for them to play with a professional tennis player because most of them really love tennis."
The kids then got the chance of a lifetime as they took turns on the court with Petrova for a practice set of doubles.
At the end of the hour-long session, Petrova, who lives in Moscow, graciously took time for a group picture with the ball kids. "I definitely had a lot of fun," Petrova said. "Those things don't happen very often. I find it very important for me to play with the kids, especially the ball kids."
She added, "I feel like I do give something back, that I can share some of my experience with the kids."
Petrova is seeded fourth at the 2005 Acura Classic. This year she was a semi-finalist at Roland Garros and a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon.
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Russia's Nadia Petrova hit a few tennis balls with some of the Acura Classic ball kids on Stadium Court.
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Nadia Petrova shares a laugh with some of the Acura Classic ball kids after finishing a practice set of doubles.
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A reporter for television station KUSI interviews Nadia Petrova on Stadium Court.
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Nadia Petrova (middle, back row) took time for a group picture with the Acura Classic ball kids and ball kids staff.
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