There are 282 ball boys and girls at Wimbledon this year (Image: Getty)
Wimbledon took on a record number of ball boys and girls this year to help deal with hotter temperatures. The All England Club also received a highest-ever number of applications — around 1,600, an increase of about 200.
A total of 282 ball boys and girls (BBGs) are involved across the 14-day tournament. Sarah Goldson, BBG manager, said more were taken on partly to help with “resilience for the heat”. The increase also reflects factors like the greater number of qualifying matches and Wimbledon’s extra day of competition after the traditional rest day on the middle Sunday was scrapped in 2022.
Ball boy Eugene and ball girl Alejandra are enjoying their first Wimbledon on the 282-strong team (Image: AELTC/Andrew Baker)
The total is only a small increase but does underline Wimbledon’s growing efforts to cope with rising summer temperatures.
A heatwave in the second week of Wimbledon has seen the mercury peak at about 34C.
The All England Club has introduced more shady areas for this year’s tournament and is also considering replacing iconic plants like hydrangeas with more drought-friendly flora.
Ball boy Eugene, 14, revealed he is putting his wristbands and caps in the freezer to help him keep cool in the scorching heat.
The aspiring tennis star said the experience had “definitely” inspired him further to realise his dream of becoming a professional.
Ball boy Eugene, 14, and ball girl Alejandra, 13 (Image: AELTC/Andrew Baker)
The BBG teams are split into different teams of six across the courts, rotating one hour on, one hour off.
The ball boys and girls come from 32 schools across the surrounding areas.
Most are aged 15, but some are as young as 13 and there are also a “handful” of 19-year-olds, according to Sarah.
She said there’s “a mixture of things” she looks out for in a ball boy or girl, including good fitness levels, tennis knowledge — which is tested in modules — and crucially, the ability to roll a ball.
Alejandra, who is in her first year as a Wimbledon ball girl and among the youngest at 13-years-old, revealed the secret to perfectly rolling the ball to tennis’ biggest stars.
She said: “I’d say it’s the perfect mixture of just looking where you want the ball to go, because if you get too focused on the power it’s going to end up in the air.
“Also I think it’s staying low as well, just trying to stay low on impact and just looking where you want it to go.”
Reaching the standard of a Wimbledon BBG requires hours of dedication and practice.
The process starts in October with trials in schools which make the initial selection.
Training begins in February at the All England Club’s community centre in nearby Raynes Park.
Weekly sessions last two to two-and-a-half hours, with the training also involving speed and written tests to check knowledge.
However, there can be as many as two to four sessions per week depending on the position in the schedule.
From the May half-term, all training takes place at Wimbledon.
Sessions are mainly held on inside courts but they also practise on grass courts, including the championship courts in full uniform.
Alejandra said despite the busy schedule, she still had time for her homework.
“They do say that when you’re busy, you’re more organised… I think I got my homework done even faster than usual!”
The BBGs are not paid a salary but do receive a stipend of around £200 to cover expenses during the fortnight of action.
They receive free meals and refreshments, and also get to keep their uniform which is supplied by Ralph Lauren.
Moreover, it’s an experience they can add to their CV and the opportunity to get close to some of tennis’ biggest names is priceless.
The dream for many of the ball boys and girls is appearing on Centre Court for the women’s and men’s finals taking place this weekend.
However, none of them will know until the day whether they have made the cut.
Sarah said “it’s good not to look too far ahead” but said they have “an idea” of who will be selected coming into the championships.