Around 280 ball boys and ball girls will work hard over the next two weeks to ensure matches at Wimbledon run smoothly. The sporting world's gaze will turn to SW19 this week as Wimbledon finally serves off. Some of the biggest names in tennis will compete on the iconic grass courts over the coming fortnight. Jannik Sinner will defend his men's title while seven-time champion Novak Djokovic will once again go for a record-breaking 25th Slam. Women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and British favourite Emma Raducanu will command significant interest too.
But it won't just be the players taking the limelight in south-west London. Also sharing the stage will be Wimbledon's renowned ball boys and ball girls (BBGs), who are responsible for ensuring all 675 matches flow seamlessly by retrieving stray balls and providing players with fresh ones swiftly.
Selection and Training
Wimbledon organisers typically receive approximately 1,400 applications each year from youngsters keen to become a BBG. Around 280 are then chosen, with the majority aged between 14 and 17. In total, roughly 180 of those are Year 9 and Year 10 students from participating schools in the surrounding area, with a further 100 who served at previous Championships welcomed back for another turn.
Being a BBG can be an exhausting undertaking, with training for the role kicking off in February. Aspiring recruits attend several weekly sessions at the All England Club's training centre in Raynes Park, where they undergo rigorous speed drills, court exercises and written tests designed to evaluate their grasp of rules and procedures.
Former Wimbledon ball boy Alex Crockford, who served at the Championships during the 2000s, said the preparation was considerably more taxing than many spectators appreciate. "The training was intense and very physical," he told the Express. "We practiced how to throw the ball perfectly to the players and how to stand still for long periods."
From mid-May onwards, training shifts to the grass courts at Wimbledon itself, with BBGs perfecting their skills in full uniform as they prepare to perform before millions of viewers across the globe.
Compensation and Benefits
Despite the rigours of the role, ball boys and girls receive no salary. Instead, they typically get a stipend of around £200 to help with expenses during the fortnight-long tournament. For most youngsters, though, the chance to work at one of the most prestigious fixtures on the British sporting calendar is worth considerably more than any financial reward.
The benefits don't stop there. BBGs receive complimentary meals and refreshments while on duty and are allowed to keep their official Wimbledon uniform, provided by luxury fashion label Ralph Lauren. The top-performing BBGs can also earn the opportunity to work on show courts such as Centre Court or Court One, giving them a front-row seat for some of the most high-profile matches in world tennis.
