Our First Nations ball kid Lorenzo Retchford along with Top Gun ball kid Lincoln Pratt have touched down in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open which commences Sunday the 14th of January, 2024.
The boys have had extensive training sessions in the lead up to the Australian Open where they were joined by two hundred other ball kids vying for spots on Rod Laver, Margret Court and other famous arenas. This week the boys will get the chance to showcase their skills in the opening round of qualifying. The boys will then ball kid for the first week of the Australian Open with the worlds best players.
Top Gun winner and Top End Multi Sports player, Lincoln Pratt said “Being an Aussie Open Ball kid is one of the coolest experiences of my life so far. I get to be on the court, close to the players seeing what it takes to be able to play like them. Being behind the scenes and watching the players warm up and play games is an experience money can’t buy”.
The Top Gun Program saw the top ball kids from each State and Territory get the chance to be apart of the Australian Open Ball Kids.
Lorenzo Retchford, our First Nations ball kid winner and Tennis Palmerston player said” I’ve enjoyed seeing what it takes to become a high level ball kid”.
The First Nations Ball Kid Program was introduced to the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in 2022 giving first nations kids the opportunity to become ball kids at the Australian Open.
Tennis NT’s Tennis Development Officer Ben Cunningham, who is in Melbourne with Lincoln and Lorenzo said “Both boys are loving the experience and integrating with the other kids”
We wish both the boys luck in the first week of qualifying and for week one of the Australian Open Main Draw next week.
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