The towelling business has got a bit out of hand really.
It really annoys me when certain players will just stand near the centre of the baseline and just demand the towel is brought to them by way of a hand gesture and not even showing the courtesy to verbally ask for it.....not even an attempt to walk towards the towel, but then when they've used it, they just turn their back and throw it behind them, expecting the ballkid to chase after them and catch it. That's just arrogance.
What I'm not sure about, is whether both providing the balls and delivering the towel is actually part of the ballkid's remit now. I suppose if it's part of their job there now, then that's just something they have to do, but if it's not then I think it is a privilege that the players are abusing.
As for the shouting, I think having outbursts of emotion or anger in high pressure situations is just something that happens to a lot of people, but immediately someone has done that (often to a completely innocent party) they do immediately regret it, so I hope Gasquet does too and suitably apologies and showers the ballkid with gifts.
These ballkids at all tournaments do such a good job and are the unsung heroes in terms of keeping a game flowing. I think it would be a nice gesture at the end of each match, if all the ballkids were to line up on the way to the players exit and both players shake each one's hand and thank them.
