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.
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev and the 2025 Australian Open ballkids squad. Credit: Chris Hopkins
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.”
Australian Open ballkids, Ivy, 12, and 13-year-old twins Luke and Joseph.Credit: Chris Hopkins
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.
And it wasn’t just a big deal for the brothers, but for their parents as well. “They were even more excited than we were,” Luke said.
The 2025 squad assembled for a whole group photo on Sunday afternoon, joined by men’s world No. 2 Alexander Zverev. He is the first of many star players they will be rubbing shoulders with during the tournament.
Australian Open director Craig Tiley said that this year’s group were a “very quality squad”.
“I know there isn’t an event in the world that has ballkids that can compare to this group… and we’re very proud of the work that they’ve done,” he said.
