While most students were soaking in the last days of summer vacations, attending preseason practices and buying school supplies, I was in Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, working as a ball person at the US Open. I’ve aspired to achieve this opportunity for a long time, but getting here wasn’t easy.
If you watch the US Open, you probably notice the individuals who stand on the court in vibrant uniforms, quickly retrieving and delivering tennis balls to players during the match. I always wondered how they got there. I did some research and found out that it wasn’t just family and friends who wore those designer outfits and got to be on TV, but there is actually a thorough application process.
After applying, fortunately, I was selected to try out. In preparation for tryouts, I studied the ball people’s fast, sleek movements, while watching professional tennis on TV. Tryouts at the USTA tennis center (where the US Open is held) felt strangely eerie without the usual crowds and lines for food and shops. With 1,500 applicants competing for only 150 spots, I wasn’t sure I’d make it, but I gave it my best shot. A few weeks later, to my surprise, I received an email that I was going to be a part of the US Open 2024 Ball Crew team!
The experience was exciting and eye opening. I first attended training sessions to learn my duties and responsibilities on and off the court. I learned many things about the inner workings of the US Open that I had never noticed. For example, the communication process between the 6 ball people on the court and the player is completely non-verbal. It became a new language that I needed to learn and how to communicate with. I spent my first few days on the job working the qualifier tournaments to hone my skills before the main draw matches began.
Source: Emma Kudelka
By the time the official tournament started, I was ready to go. I knew the routine, my way around the grounds and how the ball people work as a team to support the players on the court. For the players, this is a dream opportunity to earn rankings and prize money, so the Ball Crew’s main responsibility is to support the players’ success and ensure the matches run smoothly. Just being there on the court, I could sense the energy in the crowd and the players’ complex emotions and determination. The adrenaline and excitement were contagious, especially during high-stakes moments like tie breaks or final sets.
While many students were soaking up their final days at the beach, I found myself on Court 7. It was hot and humid with no clouds in the sky, but I couldn’t have been happier having a role in this prestigious event while simultaneously being up close with some of the best tennis players in the world. It was a privilege to have this incredible opportunity that not only brought me closer to the sport I love but also reminded me that even roles on the sidelines can have a big impact on the world of tennis.
