The Princess of Wales has appeared in a YouTube film alongside tennis legend Roger Federer to shine a spotlight on Wimbledon’s Ball Boys and Girls (BBG). The Princess is Patron of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
The film also shows the training that goes into becoming a BBG. Around 1000 applicants, aged 13-15, participate in the training session at the All England Club’s Community Tennis Centre in Raynes Park every year. Around 250 of those eventually make it to the courts of Wimbledon after months of training. This includes signalling to ball changing, rolling balls up the net and learning the correct technique to bounce the balls to the plays.
Thomas Lovelock – AELTC
Thomas Lovelock – AELTCz
In the film, Catherine visits the All England Club with Roger Federer to meet returning and prospective BBGs to hear about their experiences in training. She participates in a doubles rally with Roger Federer and joins the BBGs during a training session.
Speaking about the film, Sarah Goldson, BBG Manager, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness and Roger Federer to Wimbledon to see and experience what it takes to be a BBG at Wimbledon. We’re really proud of the young people who dedicate so much time and effort to their role, which plays an integral part in delivering a successful Championships.”
During the filming, Roger Federer said: “This is proper practice, I’m really impressed at how much effort and training goes into being a ball kid during The Championships. I used to be a ball kid in Basel when I was 9 or 10, and as I have always said: once a ball kid, always a ball kid.”
The Princess said: “Wimbledon is renowned for its amazingly professional Ball Boys and Ball Girls, the amount of work it takes, it’s incredible to see it behind the scenes… With all the discipline and everything you’ve learnt, you’ll be able to take it into so many other parts of your life, things like confidence and that feeling of pride with being on any of the courts is such a big moment.”
See the film below:
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