A professional tennis tournament depends on hundreds of ball kids to support the players on the court before, during and after match play. Becoming a ball kid as well as working the court is more demanding than one would think. Not only are these ball kids supporting the top tennis athletes in the world, but the matches are broadcast to an international audience where millions are watching. Talk about pressure.
Considered the “5th Slam” of professional tennis, the BNP Paribas Open is held in Indian Wells, CA and attracts over 400,000 tennis fans as well as the top players (men and women) from around the world. These athletes compete for the championship and $10,000,000 in prize money.
The Coronado Times interviewed a few Coronado Middle School students who volunteered to work the 2017 BNP Paribas Open tournament. Here’s what they shared about their experience.
Why did you want to ball kid for this tournament?
Ellie Johnson: I wanted to ball kid so that I could be up close to the players to see their attitude, their strokes and what it’s like to be a pro.
Allie White: I wanted to be a ball kid because I’ve always watched them and wondered what it would be like so I tried it.
Describe the training you went through to become a ball kid:
Ellie Johnson: Training at Balboa (San Diego) was intense because the trainers want to get you ready. There is an online test as well as four mandatory two-hour training sessions. Once you complete training they allow you to pick your desired shifts during the tournament.
Allie White: In the training I learned how to roll and toss the ball, how to attend to the player, and the positions there are on the court.
What’s the most demanding part of being a ball kid?
Ellie Johnson: When the temperature gets above 95 degrees, it’s even hotter on the court and makes it harder to have energy to ball kid.
Also, having to figure out that each player has a different routine on the court and you have to figure it out fast to treat their needs.
Allie White: The most demanding part is making sure to fulfill the players needs.
What’s the best part about being a ball kid – favorite moments?
Ellie Johnson: Seeing them up close was amazing and how their life was both chaotic and spectacular – I met Roger Federer! This year, ball kids were lucky to receive very cool looking Fila clothing and shoes to wear as my uniform.
Allie White: The best part was getting to be within 100 yards of your favorite player on court.
If you are between the ages of 12 to 20 and interested in learning
more about becoming a ball kid for next year’s tournament, click here.
If you do a great job as a ball kid, you won’t end up on a “Ball Kid Fail” video like the one below:
