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17 May 2023 | Tennis Victoria

Nineteen tennis clubs across Victoria will host Australian Open 2024 ballkid level one trials in coming weeks.

More than a thousand kids aged 12 to 15 will participate in extensive trials over the coming weeks, aiming for selection as an official Australian Open ballkid for 2024.

While the world watches the best players in action at the Australian Open, the other on-court heroes are the amazing AO ballkids who display their dazzling skills to thousands of fans in the stands, and millions watching the broadcast around the world.

As well as providing exceptional service to the players, and keeping the action moving, ballkids often end up in the spotlight when a classic catchinsect invasion, or accidental injury goes viral.  

Level one trials will be held at 19 tennis clubs across Victoria during May and June, followed by level two trials for returning and successful level one ballkids on 8-9 July. 

First Nations ballkid trials will be conducted at the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival in Darwin from 10-13 August.  

The final AO 2024 squad of around 400 ballkids will complete five on-court training sessions and an official induction and orientation day, where they will learn about the tournament and the important role they play.

Training includes drills to develop ball handling skills, rolling with precision, and anticipating players’ needs. The final step is perfecting the march on and off court. 

On-court skills are mastered at the Blind and Low Vision Championships, Australian Wheelchair Tennis Nationals, Premier League, and December Showdown events in November and December. 

Many Australian Open ballkids have gone on to become sporting stars in their own right, including St Kilda Football Club’s Jack Billings, Carlton’s Darcy Vescio and more recently, North Melbourne’s Blake Drury. 

Australian Open 2024 ballkid level one trials
Location Date and time
Gladeswood Reserve Tennis Club  19 May 2023 at 7.30pm 
Traralgon Tennis Association  20 May 2023 at 11am
Port Fairy Tennis Club 20 May 2023 at 11am
Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre  27 May 2023 at 12.30pm
Eley Park Tennis Club  20 May 2023 at 4.30pm
20 May 2023 at 6pm
Tally Ho Tennis Club  21 May 2023 at 2pm
26 May 2023 at 7pm
Kilmore Tennis Club  21 May 2023 at 9am
Knox City Tennis Club  21 May 2023 at 11am
21 May 2023 at 12.30pm
Bendigo Regional Tennis Club 24 May 2023 at 5pm
31 May 2023 at 5pm
Rochester Lawn Tennis Club  25 May 2023 at 4pm
Noble Community Tennis Club  25 May 2023 at 7pm
Sale Tennis Club  27 May 2023 at 10am
Altona Tennis Club  28 May 2023 at 1.30pm
28 May 2023 at 3.30pm
Sacred Heart/St Andrews Tennis Club Mildura  28 May 2023 at 9am
Highton Tennis Club 4 June 2023 at 10am
Upwey South Tennis Club  4 June 2023 at 10am
4 June 2023 at 11.30am
Bundoora Tennis Club  4 June 2023 at 3pm
Haven Tennis Club  4 June 2023 at 11am
East Camberwell Tennis Club  4 June 2023 at 12pm
4 June 2023 at 1.30pm