How much does a ball boy get paid in tennis?

How much does a ball boy get paid in tennis?

Ball boy at Wimbledon

Ball-boys, who are also called ball-kids in some instances play a crucial role in professional tennis matches and their on-court presence is deemed essential to make the match hassle-free for players involved in the brisk war of giving their level-best performance.

Usually boy-boys don’t earn any stipend or money while discharging their duties on-court considering their young age. The often are reimbursed through uniforms or tickets to matches scheduled on the tournament. The US Open championship is the only Grand Slam that pays ball-boys on a hourly basis wage.

Also Read: “He started an amazing trend” Serena Williams indicates a possible comeback by citing Tom Brady’s NFL return as an inspiration

FS Video
YouTube video

Ball boys stipends for different Grand Slams

Ball boys and ball girls at the US Open 2022

Ball boys to get the opportunity of being hired need to dominate certain skill-sets. Starting with the essentials of being a fast runner, the ability to stand still for long durations, and ball handling skills. They’re supposed to quickly pick up balls that aren’t in play and also throw balls to the players when they’re needed. Ball boys also sometimes get to hold players’ towels or umbrellas.

At the Australian Open, there are more than 2,500 applicants and only 360 ball boys and ball girls are shortlisted. Once selected, they are required to work at the Australian Slam and its series. They are not paid and instead compensated through free tickets to various matches for them and their families and get a daily food allowance. The best ball boy and ball girl at the Australian Open are chosen as Top Guns, and they get to be ball kids at the French Open.

However, ball boys at Wimbledon are paid a small stipend of an amount just under £200. A rather similar criterion is followed at the US Open where ball boys are paid an hourly wage and the returning ball persons are paid a fixed amount of money. Besides enjoying daily food allowances, they get an exclusive reward for keeping their Ralph Lauren uniforms with them.

Also Read: “Carlos Alcaraz was very lucky,” Italian tennis great Adriano Panatta calls the teen’s US Open title ‘predestined’

Also Read: WATCH: A full of life Novak Djokovic spotted with a glimmer of singing at his brother’s wedding