HOURS of training and concentration go into becoming a ball kid at a tennis event.
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Whether it’s a challenger tournament, a Davis Cup tie or a grand slam, if you aren’t focused you likely won’t get a start.
It can be daunting, as all ball kids must be under 16 years old, but for dedicated tennis enthusiasts like the Mid North Coast’s Rhyan Hudson, it’s well worth it.
The 15 year old Kendall product has been selected for the Australian Open and will travel to Melbourne to participate in the tournament where he will assist some of the world’s best tennis players during their matches.
He has been part of the NSW ball squad for five years and has been playing tennis since he was three-years-old.
In 2017 at the Sydney International he was picked in the final 12. He was also a ball boy at the Davis Cup.
Performances of the final 12 were carefully watched by selectors who picked two kids from the Australian Series (a boy and girl from each squad) and he was the boy selected for NSW.
Rhyan said the final of the Sydney International is his biggest match to date, but he would love to be a ball boy for a match featuring his idol.
“Roger Federer. He’s my favourite player,” he said when asked who he would like to meet.
“Getting up close to the players, meeting them, it’s fantastic. The atmosphere of the big events is awesome.
“I’ve met Nick Kyrgios, Bernard Tomic, Caroline Wozniacki… But this is my first grand slam so I’m expecting it to be bigger and better than anything I’ve been to before.”
Rhyan said some players like their water bottles positioned in a particular way, some will only take a ball from one person and others want their towels available for easy access.
Getting up close to the players, meeting them, it’s fantastic. The atmosphere of the big events is awesome.
- Rhyan Hudson
Rhyan is expecting the hot Melbourne weather to play a part and is looking forward to performing – and watching – at his first ever Australian Open.
“Our training is pretty hard. We have to be fit, we have to eat well and make sure we stay focused,” he said.
“We do a lot of rolling of the balls and speed work.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure and probably what I get most nervous about. But I’m confident.”
Rhyan will ball boy in the qualifying matches plus at least four days of the actual tournament. He will also be given a chance to meet intentional ball kids.
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
