How To Become An Australian Tennis Ball Kid

Throughout the world ball kids have played an integral part of tennis right up to the highest level. At all the major tournaments we have seen young school children scampering around the court feeding balls to the server and cleaning up strays from play.

What Do Ball Kids do?

Ball kids play an integral role in ensuring that tennis tournaments run smoothly, they are a focal part of every game, be it at the Rod Laver stadium or Wimbledon.

The ball kids job is to feed the balls to the players, make sure the balls are at the correct end and to change the balls when necessary too. They also make sure the towels are changed and supply drinks to the players and umpires.

A ball kid should ensure their decision making is correct and be flexible enough to deal with the unexpected working as part of a team.

Who Can Be A Ball Kid?

Ball kids are aged between 11 and 17 depending on the tournament age restrictions, below are the exact ages for Australian competitions.

  • Australian Open – Melbourne (12-15)
  • Brisbane International (12-17)
  • Hopman Cup (12-15)
  • Hobart International (10-17)
  • Apia International – Sydney (12-15)
  • World Tennis Challenge – Adelaide (12-17)
  • Australian Pro Tour – (up to 18)

The Advantages To Be A Ball Kid

There are many advantages of becoming a tennis ball kid:

  • Studying their tennis idols

Being on court with your favourite tennis pro can be a thrilling adventure, ball kids get the opportunity to interact with main tennis stars and find out what they are really like.

  • The best seat in the house

Second only to the umpires, ball kids have the best view on the court, they can see the play close up and experience the speed of serves from top players.

  • Learn shots

Ball kids can see at first hand how the real top players execute their shots, how they move about the court and how they anticipate the next shot. This is invaluable free coaching from the best in the game.

  • Being the focus of attention

Being a ball kid you are thoroughly involved in a match from start to finish, without the ball kids intervention and service most top games simply could not go ahead.

  • Learn tennis etiquette and understand play

You can never be too young to learn, being on court with professional players will teach young ball kids the right examples of how to behave on court. How to win or lose gracefully and the proper etiquette required playing a match.

Ball kids pick up the nuances of how to be civil to their opponents and to officials, learn how to keep focused and not to let any gamesmanship affect their play.

The second best thing to being actually playing a Grand Slam match is to be on court whilst one is being played. Being a ball kid gives the opportunity for many youngsters to do so and enjoy every bit of the action close up.

Share:

On Key

Related Posts

Covid Restrictions Update – June 2021

Covid Restrictions Update – August 2021 Dear Rushcutters Bay Tennis Centre Community, Please see below the most current and relevant information about current restrictions from

Famous World Tennis Tournaments

World tennis is played on every continent in all four corners of the globe.

The four most famous tennis tournaments in the world are known as the Grand Slam tournaments or the Majors.

The History Of Australian Tennis

During the formation of the modern game of tennis in the UK and subsequently America there was very little documentation of how the sport was evolving in Australia.

How to Avoid Injury When Playing Tennis

Complex muscle groups and combinations are used in rapid spurts and bursts. It is little wonder that tears, pulls and rips occur when playing. Also a high number of overuse injuries also tend to occur such as tennis elbow or wrist injuries.