There’s an exciting spectacle that takes place on the courts of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open in Queens every year — and it’s not related to the renowned athletes competing for the title.
The event’s agile and enthusiastic “Ball Crew” consistently captivate audiences as they dash across the facility’s renowned blue courts between each serve and rally to collect balls tossed by players such as Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz.
The agile work crew consists of 315 members, with ages spanning from 14 up to their early 50s, as reported by team leader Neal Kitson.
Every individual undergoes a demanding audition that evaluates their quickness and ability to catch balls from the center of the playing area during a match.
This year, only 80 positions were available for newcomers. From 1,600 people who applied, 500 were selected for a trial — and 420 of them were sent back.
At the age of 14, Jayden Wong is one of the youngest ball kids working at the famous tennis tournament this summer.
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“It definitely feels a bit stressful, but I enjoy the fact that the older kids are looking out for me,” said Jayden from Bayside, Queens.
“They hold high expectations, but it’s certainly not too difficult for me—just the knowledge that we’re all part of a team and that we’re all here to support one another,” he said.
The young assistant mentioned he was “shocked” earlier this summer upon discovering he had been chosen from a large group of applicants to work as a ball child — a role he had always dreamed of since he was very young.
His strong love for tennis began when he first took up a racket at the age of six to bond with his four older brothers, who were really into the sport.
By the time he was 10, Jayden was practicing five times a week with the New York Junior Tennis League, and his family would end each summer with a visit to the US Open qualifying matches.
“I would simply go there, observe how smoothly everything worked and how everyone was united. And I thought to myself, ‘You know, one day I want to be down there. I want to be just like them,’ ” Jayden said.
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I truly believed I had the talent to compete with them. And I possessed the skills needed to face the top tennis players. I’m really thrilled that I was chosen.
Akari Wientzen’s initial season as a ball girl coincided with Italy’s Jannik Sinner winning the premier men’s title at the venue’s main arena, Arthur Ashe Stadium, last year.
Akari, 17, had initially asked to take the day off to study for her upcoming SATs — until Kitson called her and specifically requested that she come to work.
“Clearly, I didn’t prepare for the SAT!” Akari said about Murray Hill in Manhattan.
I couldn’t believe I was capable of performing in that match. It’s the thing I’m most proud of in my entire life — being able to say I refereed the men’s final is really impressive.
Akari first held a racket at the age of six through an after-school activity — and it was love at first swing.
She currently competes with Junior Tennis, along with her high school team at Bronx Science High School.
For Olivia Chin, her four years with the Ball Crew have provided important life lessons alongside lasting friendships.
In her second year in 2023, Olivia, 18, was proud to be part of the all-female Ball Crew on the court as young athlete Coco Gauff made her mark in history.
“The entire year’s theme focused on honoring Billie Jean King and her struggle for equal prize money in tennis. I was selected to be part of the all-female ball crew for the women’s final championship, and, wow, it was incredibly empowering,” said Chin from Bayside.
Billie Jean King approached us after the match concluded, and she told us the whole story, and just being able to witness so many self-assured women on the court, and being able to play with them as well, was incredibly inspiring. It was incredible.
The occasion was a lifelong aspiration for Chin, as her parents had been bringing her to the stadium since she was a baby.
Although the US Open takes place over three weeks each year — with additional days added for Ball Crew training — Chin highlighted that she always departs each tournament with a wealth of memories and new friends from around the world.
It’s truly an amazing group. The feeling of unity is very present,” she stated. “Our cultural motto is: One team, one dream, and it’s really something we follow in our daily lives.
I’m aware that if I glance at any member of the crew, they’ll support me both on and off the court, and I feel the same obligation towards them. It’s just a lot of fun. Ball Crew is truly unique.
