Young tennis players from Brooklyn stepped into the spotlight at the U.S. Open this month, serving as ball kids for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
The talented youths spent weeks preparing for the contest, training to be the most attentive, fittest, and quickest ball people for some of the greatest tennis players. Ball people serve a “vital” role at the U.S. Open and other tennis tournaments. Often seen crouched by the net or waiting behind the court, they’re responsible for grabbing rogue balls, distributing balls to the players, and making games flow smooth and uninterrupted.
Each student was selected and trained by New York Junior Tennis and Learning, an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved youth through rigorous athletic training and sports education.
Julia Ivanov from Sheepshead Bay, Patrycja Filonik of Bushwick, and Jaydel Bennett from Cypress Hills were among the eight NYJTL participants to take on the role of ball kids.
Ninth grader Ivanov often navigates through the city, hopping on trains and buses with her younger siblings to get to practice. Her dreams of being a well-rounded tennis player started when she was just two years old.
After years of hard work and determination, Ivanov said she was overcome with joy when she found out she had been selected to be a ball person for the U.S. Open.
Reflecting on her journey, she said she was grateful to NYJTL for shaping her skills both on and off the court.
“The program [NYJTL], of course, shapes you as a tennis player and a person educationally. Our coaches help us on the court and teach good character and life skills, like persistence and grit,” Ivanov said.
Filonik, who participated at just 17 years old, said she’s walking away from this experience with a new found respect of the game and the great athletes she got to watch.
“Being a ball kid this year has been an incredible experience. I’ve loved the fast-paced environment and the chance to be right on the court, close to all the action. It’s been exciting to see the matches unfold up close and to contribute to the event’s success,” she told Brooklyn Paper. “The role has given me a deeper appreciation for the game and has been a lot of fun.”
NYJTL reaches nearly 90,000 young people every year through various programs, with the U.S. Open partnership being the most coveted opportunity. Students and coaches emphasize the program’s effort to instill life skills, character development, and healthy living practices.
As the U.S. Open draws to a close, the young ball kids from Brooklyn say they are eager to return home with a renewed passion and inspiration. Each of them took away memories of the fast-paced matches and life lessons that would serve them well in their future endeavors.
Correction and update (Sept. 9, 1:52 p.m.): An earlier version of this story stated Autumn Clarke from Prospect Lefferts Garden was a ball kid however she did not participate this year. This story has also been updated to add comments from Patrycja Filonik.
