Youd imagine that there wouldnt be much to being a ball boy or girl - known as BBGs - but at Wimbledon there is actually a rather tough selection process to get through in order to get the job. They are selected from a range of schools in the London area, and need to be nominated by the head teacher in order to be considered. Some 700 applications are received each year, with only 250 selected. Once theyve received the nomination, they then need to pass a written examination on the rules of tennis. Scoring, line calls, faults, they need to make sure they really know all aspects of the game. After that there is a physical test, which reportedly involves a seemingly never-ending medley of star jumps, squat thrusts, high knees and the like. Theres also a lot of sprinting, mastering the art of rolling the ball to your fellow BBG, and of course the risk of being hit was a tennis ball at over 100mph. Still, it beats being stuck in school.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
