Kids work with tennis pros at the Winston-Salem Open

Some of the top men’s tennis players in the world are duking it out this week at the Winston-Salem Open, the last professional men’s tournament before the U.S. Open. And junior tennis players are sprinting alongside them in their role as ball kids.

Volunteer ball kids as young as 12 years old play a big part in making this pro-tournament happen. They’re the ones that race across the court to pick up balls out of play, and they also attend to players’ needs. 

It's Kritarth Mishra's fourth season working as a ball kid. Wearing black shorts, a gray Winston-Salem Open T-shirt and cap, he’s part of a youth brigade zipping around to cover multiple matches a day.

“A lot of the top players, they like to come here to get good practice," says Mishra. "They get treated like kings. And as soon as they get to the U.S. Open, they have more experience on the court and they're more comfortable there.” 

During play they stand at attention like the King’s Guard, until it’s time to chase down balls or hold an umbrella over a resting player. They don’t get any shelter from the sun, but Mishra says the experience is worth it.   

“Woof, it’s insane, especially if you love tennis, and even if you don’t, it’s just so nice to see people of such a high quality of sport, and watching them do their work," he says. "It’s absolutely incredible. It’s like watching two artists paint a painting.”

Between matches, kids in the stands hold up giant green tennis balls for autographs from rising stars, like Christopher Eubanks, who recently made his Olympics debut. In some cases, they rush onto the court to congratulate the winners.

Seeing players hit serves topping 120 mph is a big draw for junior player Mikayla Noel.

“I like power players because I hit with a lot of power,” Noel says. 

The maze of royal blue courts, tunnels, and stands are temporary, though. The Winston-Salem Open wraps up on Saturday, August 24. 

Ball kid Kritarth Mishra gives the Open a ringing endorsement:

“I’d say you’re missing out. I’d say you have to get here. I’d say it’s one of the most best things about Winston-Salem.”