USTA Holds Tryouts for 2010 U.S. Open Ballpersons

June 29, 2010 | By Gary Simeone

There were more than 400 people scrambling on the 90-plus degree tennis courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for loose balls as the USTA hosted tryouts for the job of ballpersons for the 2010 U.S. Open. Each year, the USTA begins with around 400 hopefuls, a field which is then narrowed down to 200 and eventually, the final cut of 80 who earn their spot as ballpersons for the U.S. Open, set for the end of August.

"This is our starting point for evaluations," said Tina Taps, National Tennis Center program director. "After today, we will have picked about 80 to come back in Mid-July in order to re-evaluate them."

Evaluations are based on agility exercises, such as running and throwing drills. The staff also looks at such things as the discipline and maturity levels as well. Those trying out had to be on their toes and pay strict attention to the match. It is considered a major blunder and a potential distraction to players in a match when a ballperson accidentally runs onto the court thinking a ball is dead when it is actually a live ball. 

"Each individual has to stand in their position during the match taking place and pay attention to every point," said Taps.  Ballpeople are positioned at the net and behind the baseline.

There are two age brackets that the ballpersons are categorized in. The 14-17 year olds and the 18 years and older category. "We have people come from all over to try out," said Taps. "But the majority of the people are from the Tri-State area."

One such potential ballperson was 61-year-old Jerry Loughran of Garden City, N.Y. Known as the "world’s oldest ballboy," this is Jerry’s second go-round at the event.

Potential ballpersons are looked at for three qualities, reaction time at the net, throwing ability and communication along the back fence. Once a ball hits the net, those trying out jump into action and race to the ball, returning to whichever side is closest. They then must make an accurate throw from one side of the court to another on one bounce. They must throw three balls in rapid succession to their intended target, again on one bounce, and then switch roles and catch three quickly-thrown balls in a row. Finally, candidates are placed on either side of the back fence. Once a ball hits the back fence, the person closest to the ball must dart out and get it. There is no verbal communication between the ballpersons on the back fence, so a non-verbal form of communication must me established to see who retrieves the ball and returns to their side. 

"I have alot of fun doing this," said Loughran. "I tried out a couple of years ago and didn’t make it and came back last year and really competed well. The schedule this year should be a little bit easier on me with more breaks especially during the first week of qualifiers."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Gary Simeone
Writing Intern/Public Relations Associate

 Gary Simeone is writing intern/public relations associate for Long Island Tennis Magazine.

Century
Bethpage

March/April 2024 Digital Edition