Day: September 6, 2024

Young tennis players from Brooklyn stepped into the spotlight at the U.S. Open this month, serving as 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.

Autumn Clarke from Prospect Lefferts Garden, 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.

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.