The Wimbledon Championships 2015 are fast approaching and the village will soon decorate its streets with large tennis balls and flags. Thousands of people will watch the tennis, but what goes on behind the scenes and who ensures the matches run smoothly? 

 

Ball boys and ball girls are a very important aspect of the championships.  This small army ensures quick and accurate delivery of balls to the serving player, the collection and feeding of balls around the court with such speed and agility that it is a sport in itself.

 

Applications for ball girls and boys take place online.  After applying, a series of online modules are set for completion and several written tests on tennis rules.  The training involves weekly strenuous exercises requiring an extremely high level of fitness, timing and co-ordination.  At every training session applicants are assessed and the weakest ones are dropped.  From over a thousand applicants only 250 make it through to the competition.

 

Ball girls and boys are informed that they are successful two weeks before the championships.  Its hard work but an experience of a lifetime.  This year take time to watch the ball girls and ball boys, their performances are as good as the tennis.

 

Eloise Dennis

Sutton High School