Meet the Australian Open’s record-breaking ballkid squad

Whether it’s a terrific catch, helping out a player, or an insect rescue mission – ballkids are the unsung heroes of the Australian Open. And this year’s tournament will feature a larger squad than ever before.

There are 428 lucky kids who have been selected for this year’s tournament. The group includes people from across Australia as well as international visitors from tournaments in China, Korea and France.

Although the squad aren’t paid, they do receive some compensation in the form of gifts and prizes. But it’s difficult to put a price on the memories that they’ll make over the next three weeks.

More than one thousand young hopefuls aged 12 to 15 put their hand up for a position at this year’s Open. Applicants go through an extensive trial process before they make the cut.

Twelve-year-old Ivy Chaponnel is the third in her family to be a ballkid at the Open, with her father and older brother both paving the way before her.

“My family is a very tennis family. We always go for a hit and we all play,” Ivy said. “I’m grateful that I’m here. My parents drove me to my try-outs, and my dad and my brother really helped me train a lot.”

Thirteen-year-old identical twins Luke and Joseph Desmond are both keen tennis players and excited that they’ve been chosen for their first Australian Open.

“We started off going to trial with lots of other people… It was a lot of athleticism, like running… and servicing,” Joseph said.