Soon they're both headed the other way, to their assigned practice courts. I follow them. Why they practice right beside each other, with so many courts to choose from, I don't know. I notice the men do the same later. Tradition maybe. Both women have the quietest practices I've seen all week. I guess it's too late to really work on their games; this is mostly a warm-up and a chance to get focused on the challenge ahead. Bartoli hits for about 40 minutes, Wozniacki hits five minutes longer, maybe to prove a point. Ticket holders have arrived now and both players get asked for autographs as they head back to the players' area. They each sign a few, but they both move on pretty quickly.

I won't see the players again until they're in the tunnel, ready to enter the stadium. I wonder how they spend the final forty-five minutes before the match. Are they reviewing strategy notes with their coaches? Doing visualization exercises? Honestly, they're probably playing video games. I think I saw Dance Dance Revolution in the Players’ Lounge; that might be a good way to get your reflexes in tune.

In the tunnel then, and the players have been dropped off in a golf cart, riding together of course. They stand around for a few minutes, nobody talking to them. Then each walks forward to talk to someone I can't see. Maybe Pam Shriver, doing the pre-game chat with all the same questions and all the same answers we've heard a thousand times. Outside, the inspirational music has started, to let the crowd know we're close. "30!" someone shouts over my shoulder. Bartoli starts bouncing around. "20!" and she starts with her practice swings, just like she does on court. "10!" and Bartoli heads to the door to wait for her name. Caroline calmly moves forward to take her place. She rolls her head from shoulder to shoulder, relaxes herself. "10 for Caroline!" I suddenly realize that aside from the man behind me giving the cues, there is no one else here. Just before her name is called, Caro looks at me and smiles. Something about that smile tells me she knows she will win today. And then she's gone.

The day ends up being crazier than I expected, given there are only two matches to play. The photo pit is packed, and the big names in media keep arriving for their assigned spots, meaning the rest of us are scrambling for new locations on the changeovers. The women's match is good, we all keep thinking Bartoli will tire, but she keeps on fighting. As the match nears its end, I move with the other photographers to a spot near Caro's team. That's where she'll look when she celebrates. But at the end, she's in control, there's no real tension, and so the celebration is subdued. If there is one outcome I always root for, it's a tight third set. Those moments of emotional release are like gold.

The men's match is sort of the same. Nadal looks great for a set, but gradually loses control of the match. Early in the third, we all know who will win. When each final is over, both players pose with the trophy and various dignitaries. Each player does a press conference, and each winner does an outdoor photo shoot with their trophy. Meanwhile, everyone in media room (except Matt Cronin of TennisReporters.net, who works hard to get the stories out immediately) is madly packing up their gear, either saying their goodbyes or confirming that they'll meet up in Miami shortly. I exchange contact info with the photographers I've met and tell those who ask that no, sadly, I won't be seeing them in Miami. It’s back to my wintry reality.

So now the final serve has been clocked (120mph), the last trophy has been handed out (men's singles), the last t-shirt has been fired from the cannon (Chrissy finally hit the upper deck today - I'll take credit for some solid coaching there). All good things must come to an end, so they say, and as I wander one last time across the grounds, photo gear and laptop bag in hand, I wish it weren't true.

Well, that's it from Indian Wells! I hope you've enjoyed my coverage as much as I've enjoyed covering, and I hope to be able to do it all again next year!