The 2009 U.S. Open Tennis is rapidly approaching for fans all over the world, but in Flushing, it will have hundreds scrambling for the net. The second round of ball persons tryouts will be held Tuesday, July 14 through July 16, at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
With an overwhelming number of people trying out for this prestigious summer job, Tina Tapps, Director of ball persons for the U.S. Open, said that the first round, held on June 25, had about 450 people trying out for one of about 75 spots. Those 75 new ball persons will join a group of veterans and collectively make up an army of 250 men and women ready to dash through the backcourt or along the net.
“There is the first round where we test their skills,” said Tapps. “It goes relatively quickly, but we have the rookies working with veterans and the vets tell us who they could see themselves working with in the U.S. Open.”
The minimum age to try out, 14, provides younger fans a chance to be on the same court and watch their favorite tennis stars. There is no maximum age limit and all are welcome to try out.
During the first tryout, the prospective ball persons had to work on two skill objectives – catching and throwing. First impressions are crucial in a field like this so you have to be prepared and ready for whatever they throw at you.
Josh Pagan, John Jay College’s top men’s tennis player, and former U.S. Open ball boy remembers the experience. “Those were a few great summers for me,” he said. “I was able to watch all the amazing tennis I wanted for a few weeks and make some good cash while doing it.”
Even though over the last 10 to 15 years, girls have only made up a quarter of the population of ball persons, this job opportunity has given young women the same likelihood as men to shine in front the pros and national television.
“We are trying to get more girls to come out every year,” said Tapps. “Our public relations department has been going out to some of the women’s sports organizations to recruit them.”
The second round of tryouts kicks off on July 14 and proceeds for two days. In this round, the number of trainees is halved to around 200. Again, they will work with the basic skills of catching and throwing, but this time it will be a little bit more in-depth and fast paced. Along with being physically equipped to work in the U.S. Open, one must also be mentally prepared.
“We give the kids an interview if we feel they should move on to the final stage of the tryouts,” said Tapps. “We ask them questions like what’s a tie breaker? … or what’s an ace?”
After finding out if you are chosen to move on, your final evaluation will be at the U.S. Open qualifying rounds. You will have to work as a ball person with the veterans during these qualifiers and that will be the final test. Being watched under pressure situations is what marks the best ball persons, said Tapps.
The U.S. Open, which is set to open on August 31 and run through September 13, will display the many talents of fresh young faces from the Queens community – if they are ready.
“Sometimes you get a kid who just can’t handle the pressure,” Tapps said jokingly. “It’s like a deer in head lights.”
