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Fans are outraged when they discover Australian Open ball boys are NOT paid, despite working in scorching heat and being pummeled by 200km/h serves: “How is this not child exploitation?”
- Social networks explode after the discovery that ball boys work for free
- Tennis fans say being a ball boy at Melbourne Park is child exploitation
- Others argue that it is a great experience for tennis fans.
- Ballkids are strictly disciplined and work in extremely hot conditions during the event.
Ball boys at the Australian Open face sweltering heat, player tantrums and the possibility of being hit by tennis balls traveling at over 200 km/h, but none of them are paid a dime.
Social media erupted this week with the revelation that the younger staff at Melbourne Park are all volunteers, with some fans believing the practice is child exploitation.
Ball boys at the Australian Open face sweltering heat, player tantrums and the possibility of being hit by tennis balls traveling at over 200km/h, but none of them are paid a dime.
Social media erupted this week with the revelation that the ball boys at Melbourne Park are all volunteers, with some fans believing the practice is child exploitation.
The event’s silent stars, who undergo a year-long selection process and intense training, have one of the toughest gigs in Australia during January, and some people think they should be getting paid.
‘How is this not child exploitation?’ commented a Reddit user.
‘Disgusting, I wonder how they get away with it. How legal? said another.
Ball boys at Wimbledon and the US Open are paid for their essential work, and the Australian Open did as well until 2008, when the boys were reclassified as volunteers.
Most of the youngsters who do the demanding work are tennis fans and are happy to work close to their sporting heroes.
Most of the youngsters who do the demanding work are tennis fanatics and happy to work close to their sporting heroes (Andy Murray was photographed taking a selfie with a ball boy in 2016).
Ball boys at Melbourne Park receive a meal allowance, prize packs and get to keep their tournament uniforms.
Many people think that it is a great opportunity for children and they have no problem with them working for free.
“It would be child labor if they were paid; they are too young to work,” said one Reddit user.
“These are kids who are passionate about tennis and are given an opportunity that money can’t buy to see how the best players in the world do it. It’s an amazing initiative and it’s a shame more tournaments don’t do the same.’
‘My son would pay for the chance to be a ball boy at AO,’ said another.
Nadal (pictured) apologized to the girl for hitting her with a tennis ball, describing the moment as “one of the scariest moments” he’s ever had on a tennis court.
“I was a ballboy in the early 2000s and it’s probably one of the best things I’ve ever done, I didn’t make a dime but I got a lot of free shit, food and made great friends,” said a third.
The job comes with its share of dangers, which a boy discovered in 2020 when Rafael Nadal accidentally hit her over the head with a return blow.
Nadal apologized to the boy with a kiss on the cheek, describing the moment as “one of the scariest moments” he had ever had on a tennis court.
At this year’s event, Nadal was clearly agitated during his first-round match when he discovered that a ball boy had taken one of his rackets. Nadal is well known for his particular gestures during tennis matches, including tidying up his water bottles, and tennis rackets.
Nick Kyrgios was forced to apologize last year after a racket he threw in a fit of rage following a loss nearly hit a nearby ball boy.
The Australian apologized on social media, sharing screenshots of a text exchange with the boy and promising to give him a racket.