The summer of tennis is in full swing, but instead of lounging in front of a television, one Caroline Springs girl is getting a closer look.
Nadzurah, 15, is one of 380 ball kids working at the Australian Open this year, with the opportunity to work alongside her tennis heroes too good to miss.
“My whole family really likes tennis, and this year I thought I wanted to do something a bit more with it,” she said.
“It’s so much fun meeting all the other kids and the professional players.”
Becoming a ball kid is no easy feat, with most coming through 12 months of applications, trials and training before making the grade. Thousands of kids aged 11 to 15 try out every year.
Nadzurah started the tournament on court 13, before working her way to court five and finally show court three by Friday. At this rate she could be on the main courts for the Open’s second week.
“I’m one of the kids running around, not standing at the ends, so it is tiring,” she said. “I’m pretty fit so it’s good fun out there. I love how exciting a game of tennis can get.
“I’d recommend anyone who can to try out for next year. You meet so many cool people and the players are great.”
