Do you have what it takes to be a US Open ballperson? Talk about a dream job. One of the best seats in the house and arguably most coveted positions at the US Open is that of the ball girl or boy. Last year, I competed alongside some 400 athletes ages 14 to 72 all jockeying for the sweet sideline spot.
As a life-long tennis player and former ballgirl for Jimmy Connors v. John McEnroe at my local country club in Los Angeles back in the day, I figured I had this ball in the bag — given my grueling regimen of boutique fitness classes multiple times a week in the city.
Call it nerves or call it too much chili at lunch, but I totally blew it. And much to my dismay, despite thinking I was quick and agile and that I would be adept at throwing a ball across the court on one bounce and snatching a ball off the net with grace, I wasn’t.
I left tryouts with a bruised ego and a newfound appreciation for the oft- overlooked and lesser-known ball vigilantes that safeguard the players at Arthur Ashe Stadium with fierce determination to keep America’s heroes sweat-free and ready to play ball.