A Day in the Life of a US Open Ballperson: An Insider's Account

This article provides an intimate look into the demanding world of a US Open ballperson, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of one of tennis's most prestigious events. It details the stringent physical requirements, precise operational duties, and the intense competitive landscape for those aspiring to join this elite crew. The author, a former high school tennis enthusiast, shares her personal journey through a simulated tryout, shedding light on the challenges of sustained physical exertion and maintaining acute hand-eye coordination under pressure. Beyond the physical rigors, the piece also explores the unique benefits and the allure that attracts hundreds of hopefuls each year, underscoring the dedication and skill necessary to excel in this often-overlooked yet crucial role.

The journey began on a scorching Friday in late June, as the author ventured to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, specifically to the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium. Her mission: to immerse herself in an hour of what it means to be a US Open ballperson. This role, she quickly discovered, extends far beyond merely retrieving stray tennis balls. Ballpersons are tasked with a multitude of responsibilities, including passing balls to colleagues with precision and efficiently serving the players, all while minimizing interruptions to play and ensuring seamless transitions between points. This behind-the-scenes experience revealed the meticulous coordination and relentless energy required to keep a high-stakes tennis match flowing smoothly.

Despite her past experience playing tennis in high school and her efforts to remain active, the author confessed to not being particularly optimistic about her chances. Endurance had never been her strong suit, and she felt her hand-eye coordination had waned over the years. The thought of running almost continuously for 45 minutes in sweltering 90-degree heat, which she identified as approximately 75% of the job's core requirements, seemed daunting. However, she resolved to approach the tryout with determination. Upon arrival, she donned the official, sharp-looking US Open ballperson uniform—a navy visor, color-blocked polo, and navy skort—and proceeded to the courts, grateful for the hat's protection from the intense sun. There, she encountered her fellow participant, Peloton instructor Matt Wilpers, whose wife was on hand to document the experience.

Under the guidance of Harry Villareal, a ball crew supervisor with 36 years of experience at the US Open, the tryout commenced with warm-up routines reminiscent of high school athletics. This included two laps around the court and fundamental stretches targeting the quads, hamstrings, and calves. The real test followed with a series of drills designed to evaluate speed, accuracy, stamina, and overall athletic prowess. One drill involved sprinting across the court to retrieve balls positioned at the center service and doubles sidelines, mimicking actual game scenarios. Another focused on rolling balls precisely between the net and the back fence, emphasizing minimal bouncing and maximum accuracy—a crucial skill for ballpersons stationed at the net to pass balls efficiently to their counterparts at the rear of the court. Villareal stressed the importance of balls rolling directly to the target, not merely in its vicinity, a detail the author quickly learned firsthand.

Next, the participants practiced serving players, or 'feeding' them balls. Villareal demonstrated the proper technique: bending the arm at the elbow, not the wrist, to ensure the ball bounces midway between the ballperson and the player. Speed was paramount, as players are known to become agitated if balls are not delivered promptly. Additionally, a specific set of gestures needed to be mastered, such as displaying empty hands in a 'surrender' style to signal to players that no more balls were available. Individually, these exercises might not have been overly strenuous, but their relentless succession proved exhausting. Short water breaks offered little respite, and within ten minutes, the author's energy began to wane. By the session's conclusion, after 30 to 45 minutes, she was visibly fatigued, breathless, and drenched in sweat. When Villareal, surprisingly unfazed, suggested another round, she opted to sit and seized the opportunity to inquire further about the ball crew selection process.

Villareal, who first tried out as a teenager in the 1980s, is now one of the US Open's most seasoned ballpersons, challenging the common misconception that all ball crew members are young. In fact, the average age is 21, and unlike other Grand Slam tournaments, the US Open has no upper age limit, as exemplified by 69-year-old Bob Kass, who served for his second consecutive year in 2023. Despite the physically demanding nature of the work and the modest pay, the chance to interact with tennis legends like Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff provides a powerful incentive, making competition for positions incredibly fierce. Annually, approximately 1,500 individuals apply online, with about 500 selected for in-person tryouts. Ultimately, only about 80 applicants, those scoring highest on a 1-5 scale, receive offers. This translates to a success rate of less than 1 in 15 candidates, a truly formidable statistic.

Reflecting on her performance, the author questioned how she would have fared against such a competitive pool. Villareal candidly assessed her at a 2 to 2.5, subtly adding the 0.5 out of politeness, while noting that Matt Wilpers, a 3:01 marathoner, would have scored a full point higher, between 3 and 3.5. This evaluation cemented the author's belief that she likely would not have been selected had her tryout been genuine. Nevertheless, the US Open faces no shortage of prospective ballpersons, as evidenced by the dozens-long line of hopefuls waiting outside Arthur Ashe Stadium when she departed. The absence of an age cutoff also means the opportunity to try again remains open, whether next year or in the distant future, offering a continuous path for those passionate about the sport.