But what happened July 26th was most definitely the highlight of her summer and a day she will not soon forget. The day prior, she was flown to Hartford, Connecticut, courtesy of Sports Illustrated Kids. It was hard to sleep that night as the excitement built inside her. She knew that the next day, July 26th, she would be hitting with Andre Agassi in front of a twenty-five hundred people.

So how did this happen? How was this 11 year old lucky enough to play a few points with this eight time Grand Slam winner? Sports Illustrated Kids provided the opportunity, but Elkins own initiative and creativity made this opportunity a reality.

Back in May, Elkins received her copy of Sports Illustrated Kids and while reading it, came across an essay contest where the winner would get a chance to hit with a World Team Tennis pro. She and her brothers all talked about entering, but in the end, only Kathleen sent an entry.

The rescheduled date of July 26th came quickly after Elkins' victory at the Closed. The Elkins family was to go to Hartford to see a match between the Hartford Foxforce and the visiting Sacramento Capitals and Kathleen Elkins was going to get a chance to hit with Andre Agassi. Elkins' mother, Diane, said, "When she [Kathleen] heard she would be hitting with Agassi she was very excited - he is her favorite player."

on why Elkins thought she should get to hit with a World Team Tennis pro. Elkins added her own flair though, crafting a unique look for her entry decorating it with yellow construction paper tennis balls. Each ball inscribed with a different line from her essay. She sent it off in mid-May, hoping for a response.

When they arrived on day of the match, Elkins sat in on Agassi's press conference. Following the question and answer session an official approached Agassi and said, "I would like to introduce you to your first opponent, Kathleen Elkins." Some of the reporters overheard and started asking questions. They quickly put a microphone in front of Elkins and with that, the 11-year old Elkins was hosting her first press conference.

Some topics in this essay:
Kathleen Elkins, Team Tennis, Illustrated Kids, Junior Closed, Diane Kathleen, Mark Knowles, Carolina July, Andre Agassi, Mixed Doubles, White Stripes, sports illustrated, kathleen elkins, sports illustrated kids, illustrated kids, team tennis, july 26th, world team tennis, junior closed, hit world, chance hit, front elkins, press conference, team tennis pro, hit world team,