Tennis
16 December, 2024
Kyrgios the wish for ball kids
Four Wimmera teenagers have been selected to be ball kids at the 2025 Australian Open, and they would like to get a chance to be a ball kid to Nick Kyrgios, who is making his return to tennis after a long layoff.
Harry Allan and Adele Joseph are doing it for the last time, while Daniella Gillespie and Charli Pietsch, who were also selected earlier in the year, are having another crack.
Adele Joseph, 15, is in her third and final year. She is excited to be there again and hopes to be a ball kid to Carlos Alcaraz or Nick Kyrgios.
Adele spoke about her experience so far.
"I like making new friends, and you talk to so many different people each day," Adele said.
"I have been on Rod Laver Arena about four times and did the men's semi-finals in January and the women's doubles final.
"I have been a ball kid to Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
"Carlos is a good player and seems pretty nice on the court. Nick would be a good experience, so hopefully, I can get a chance to be a ball kid for them."
Harry Allan, 15, is in his second and final year after being a ball kid for the first time in 2024.
Some players he has been a ball kid to include Jannick Sinner, Coco Gauff and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He spoke about his experience in 2024 and how he would love to get a chance to be on Rod Laver Arena and ball kid to Kyrgios.
"I enjoy how close you are to the players," Harry said.
"It's really cool to be up and close and be recognised as Australian Open staff as a ball kid.
"Margaret Court Arena was incredible to be on, but I would love to be on Rod Laver Arena. It would be amazing.
"I would love to be a ball kid for Nick [Kyrgios] as I think that would be so much fun, and the crowd would be with him, and it would be crazy and silly but cool."
For Daniella Gillespie, 13, this will be her second time.
"Being able to watch professional tennis players and make new friends is pretty cool," Daniella said.
"I got on Rod Laver for Carlos Alcaraz in January, and it was a good experience. I was nervous, but it was fun to watch them play.
"I would love to be a ball kid to Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic and would love to do finals.
"The selection process this year was different as more running was involved, but to get through was pretty good."
This is also Charli Pietsch's second time. Charli, 13, said she would love to get on Rod Laver arena and ball kid to Carlos Alcaraz.
"I was on John Cain Arena last year, which was pretty cool, and I like watching the players play. It's a good experience," Charli said.
"I was a ball kid to Jasmine Paolini, and next year, I hope to get on some of the big courts and ball kid to Alcaraz as he is such a good tennis player.
"I would love to be a ball kid to Jasmine again or Aryna Sabalenka."
