Anyone who has watched a tennis match can attest to the vibrant, suspenseful, and thrilling atmosphere that captivates the viewer. Yet, few people have had the chance to not only watch but also stand on the court while the athletes compete. An opportunity like this is unforgettable, as participants work face-to-face with extraordinary athletes and watch them play from mere feet away. While many dream of experiencing this for themselves, Greeley students Meadow Zhang and Riya Trivedi turned this dream into reality during this year’s US Open.
Tennis is a prominent aspect of both Zhang and Trivedi’s lives, and they dedicate many hours a week to the sport. They are both committed members of the girls varsity tennis team, yet their tennis journeys began much earlier than freshman year. Zhang’s tennis career began when she was just five years old. She started by playing with her dad and has continued playing competitively ever since. When asked what she enjoys about the sport, Zhang commented, “I like how playing on my own and focusing on my own strategy provides me with a distraction from my regular day.”
Trivedi has also played tennis her whole life, but began training more intensively last year. Before moving to Chappaqua, she would spend a lot of time playing on the public courts near her home in the Bronx. Trivedi expressed that her favorite part about the sport is that “[tennis] teaches not only good sportsmanship but also good values such as integrity, commitment, and competitiveness.” Tennis holds a great deal of value to Zhang and Trivedi, both physically and mentally. Their dedication and love for the sport prompted them to apply to be ball girls for the 2022 US Open.
The process of becoming a ball girl at a tournament as well-known as the US Open is difficult. However, Zhang and Trivedi were excited to take on the challenge. Acquiring the position required a series of applications and training sessions, and was a rather selective process. In fact, Trivedi noted that, out of the 850 people who applied for this position online, a mere 300 made it, only 150 of which were new participants. Once the online application process was completed, the girls were required to attend an in-person tryout at the venue. There, they were tested on how quickly they could run and if they could catch and roll balls correctly. After this process, there was a second training session where the participants went over different game scenarios (tiebreaks, ball changes, etc.) and practiced rolling and catching balls with an evaluator. This session was crucial as it made the ball kids comfortable working together and preparing for a vast number of situations that may occur on the court.
Once they passed the initial application and training rounds, they stepped onto the court with professionals during practice and matches. This job is rather strenuous and, according to Trivedi, “you had to be okay with standing in the sun and heat for 1.5 hours and running continuously and servicing players.” After each shift, the ball kids would get a break to eat lunch and relax, at which time they could watch tennis or hang out. When asked her favorite part of being a ball girl, Zhang replied that she “loved being at the venue everyday and being able to watch matches up close.”
Similarly, Trivedi mentioned that she enjoyed standing so close to the players and observing how they deal with stress, point play, and fatigue in a match setting. For a young tennis player, watching matches up close between the best in the world is not only thrilling, but also teaches important strategies regarding mental perseverance in tennis and the art of remaining focused. Becoming a ball kid can help tennis players understand the sport from a new lens, providing them with a meaningful and thrilling experience.

Perhaps the most coveted part of being a ball kid is the unique opportunity to meet famous players. Zhang and Trivedi were both able to meet some exceptional athletes as ball girls on their courts. Zhang worked with Nick Kyrigios, a well-established player from Australia, during one of his fast-paced practice matches. Trivedi was on the court during both the finals and the flag ceremony, which is an impressive feat for a first year ball girl. Trivedi was also able to meet Carlos Alvarez and Casper Ruud, both of whom are ranked top 30 in the world for singles. Meeting and working with the professionals was a highlight for both Greeley students and a key aspect of what makes being a ball kid so fascinating and action-packed.
The opportunity to be a ballgirl at the US Open, one of the largest and most well known tennis tournaments in the world, is an unforgettable experience. Yet for Zhang and Trivedi, their tennis journey is just beginning. Zhang plans to continue playing tennis for fun, exercise, and competition. She loves the sport immensely and hopes to play for the rest of her life. Trivedi aims to play college tennis and work towards becoming a pro. So next time you are sitting at home watching a match, or even standing in the stadium cheering on your favorite players, look aside from the players momentarily, and take note of the ball kids — you might be looking at the future of the sport.