Shortage of ball kids for Melbourne

A delay to the start of the Australian Open could see a shortage of ball kids for the 2021 event in Melbourne.

The event looks like to be put back until February 1, after schools in the city return for a new year.

And with international borders closes Tennis Australia is now considering upping the age limit to allow those older teenagers who worked the 2020 event can again be used. Another option may be to have no ball kids at all.

A total of 360 ball kids, selected from 2500+ applicants, were involved in 2020.

This included 38 from overseas: 20 from Korea, six from China, 10 from India and two from France.

Children must be within the designated age range of between 11 and 17.

Tennis Australia said it was reviewing all its protocols to ensure a “safe environment for everyone”.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

4 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

4 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago