1 February 2018 | Tennis Queensland

We all know the names of the top players at the Australian Open, but there are others on court who are giving their all, have practised for months, and are being judged on their effort.

Ballkids. They’re the thread that tie a match together, and have a passion for the game as strong as any player.

At the Australian Open, Brisbane’s Sarah Lemmon-Warde was on court with Roger Federer, Venus Williams, Grigor Dimitrov and Maria Sharapova as a ballkid in one of the sport’s biggest stadiums – Rod Laver Arena.

She spent two and half weeks in Melbourne after ten days at the Brisbane International, a summer the 15 year old will never forget.

“The Australian Open for me was one of the best experiences of my life. Being able to ballkid for of the top players in the world in a Grand Slam Tournament is incredible. This tournament is so huge with so many thousands of people there watching every day,” said Lemmon-Warde.

“One of the many highlights I experienced during the tournament would definitely have been being able to be on court being a ball girl at net for Roger Federer for the very first time.  As soon as he enters the arena, the crowd goes wild and the atmosphere is incredible.”

Lemmon-Warde excelled in Melbourne, out of hundreds of ballkids, she was selected as part of the finals squad. On top of that, at the end of the event she was named “Rookie of the Year” and one of the elite few selected to head to China this year as part of the AO ballkid exchange.

“On the Friday before the finals weekend, the AO has a ball kid awards ceremony where 350 kids get together to celebrate the end of the tournament.  After hearing my name being called out as “Rookie of the Year” and then also being announced that I was in the top 3 girls and would be travelling to China to represent the AO , I was speechless!” said-Lemmon Warde.

Being a ballkid is an opportunity the Brisbane teen has relished, and would certainly recommend.

“I guarantee that you will have the time of your life and it is one of the best experiences.  Over the past three years I have made so many wonderful friends at the Brisbane International and now the AO.”

After a well-earned rest, she’ll be on court this weekend for the Davis Cup ties between Australia and Germany in front of a home crowd.