Do you have what it takes to be a U.S. Open ball person?
August 31, 2022 10:43 AM Subscribe
It’s not an easy job. Each year, hundreds of people try out for a spot on the U.S. Open Ball Crew, those speedy attendants who run around the court and retrieve wayward tennis balls during the U.S. Open without interrupting a match.
Applicants must perform rigorous drills that test court awareness, agility and the ability to roll, catch and toss a tennis ball. (SLWaPo)
Although they are commonly referred to as “ball kids,” there’s no maximum age limit to be a ball person. Brian Auerbach of Temecula, Calif., became a ball person in 2009 at the age of 28 when the teenagers he was chaperoning convinced him to try out. He has worked at the summer Grand Slam tennis tournament nearly every year since. This year’s U.S. Open ends Sept. 11.
“It was really very surprising to me that there was no age limit,” said Auerbach, now a 41-year-old U.S. Open Ball Crew supervisor. “I had no idea that I could be a ballboy at the U.S. Open, which turned out to be a dream come true.”
Being a ball person requires a lot of bending, lunging, squatting and standing — as well as the ability to sprint around the court in hot and humid conditions, all while remaining inconspicuous.
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We are currently in the second round of the U.S. Open.
The video demonstrations are by volunteers for the DC-based Citi Open, which finished early this month.
Although they are commonly referred to as “ball kids,” there’s no maximum age limit to be a ball person. Brian Auerbach of Temecula, Calif., became a ball person in 2009 at the age of 28 when the teenagers he was chaperoning convinced him to try out. He has worked at the summer Grand Slam tennis tournament nearly every year since. This year’s U.S. Open ends Sept. 11.
“It was really very surprising to me that there was no age limit,” said Auerbach, now a 41-year-old U.S. Open Ball Crew supervisor. “I had no idea that I could be a ballboy at the U.S. Open, which turned out to be a dream come true.”
Being a ball person requires a lot of bending, lunging, squatting and standing — as well as the ability to sprint around the court in hot and humid conditions, all while remaining inconspicuous.
*
We are currently in the second round of the U.S. Open.
The video demonstrations are by volunteers for the DC-based Citi Open, which finished early this month.
This sounds like a brilliant exercise program. I want to go to the tennis courts this afternoon, throw a bunch of balls all over the place and run around picking them back up. Fetch for adults.
I think the actual tennis players might hate me though.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:23 AM on August 31, 2022 [3 favorites]
I think the actual tennis players might hate me though.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 11:23 AM on August 31, 2022 [3 favorites]
Sounds mostly like a flex bullet point for a college application.
posted by Keith Talent at 1:12 PM on August 31, 2022
posted by Keith Talent at 1:12 PM on August 31, 2022
IDK, I can't imagine it's that difficult.
At my age that's difficult as hell.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:28 PM on August 31, 2022 [2 favorites]
At my age that's difficult as hell.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 1:28 PM on August 31, 2022 [2 favorites]
At my age that's difficult as hell.
They have standing height tennis ball picker-uppers, so you don't have to bend for each ball. You could do it!
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:56 PM on August 31, 2022
They have standing height tennis ball picker-uppers, so you don't have to bend for each ball. You could do it!
posted by The_Vegetables at 1:56 PM on August 31, 2022
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having known literally nothing about ballperson-ing before that, it's pretty fascinating to see just how much detail and focus goes into the job of remaining as un-noticed as possible.
posted by Kybard at 10:44 AM on August 31, 2022 [1 favorite]