How Much Do Tennis Ball Boys Make?
Tennis ball boys do not have one standard salary. In fact, many ball kids at professional tennis tournaments are not paid a regular wage at all.
Some tournaments treat the role as a volunteer opportunity and provide benefits such as uniforms, meals, gifts, or access to matches. Others pay their ball crew an hourly wage.
The US Open is one of the clearest examples of a paid ball crew. In 2026, a veteran US Open Ball Crew member said the pay was around $18 to $19 per hour, plus a daily food allowance.
At other Grand Slam tournaments, the system is different.
Tennis Ball Boy Pay at a Glance
| Tournament | Are Ball Kids Paid? | Pay / Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | No regular cash wage | Food, merchandise and other benefits |
| Roland-Garros | No regular salary | Equipment, meals and tournament experience |
| Wimbledon | Volunteer program | Expenses may be covered; no publicly listed regular wage |
| US Open | Yes | Around $18–$19 per hour in 2026, according to a Ball Crew member, plus food allowance |
The important thing to remember is that payment can change from tournament to tournament and from year to year.
There is no ATP, WTA, or ITF rule that gives every ball person the same salary.
What Is a Tennis Ball Boy?
A tennis ball boy is a person positioned around the court to collect tennis balls and quickly return them to the players.
However, “ball boy” is no longer the only term used.
Different tournaments use different names. The Australian Open and Roland-Garros commonly use ball kids, while the US Open officially calls its team the US Open Ball Crew. Wimbledon continues to use the traditional term Ball Boys and Girls, often shortened to BBGs.
You may also hear the gender-neutral terms ball person or ball person crew.
Whatever the name, their main job is the same: help matches run smoothly without distracting the players.
How Much Do US Open Ball Boys Make?
Unlike many major tennis tournaments, the US Open pays its Ball Crew members.
For the 2026 tournament, veteran Ball Crew member Jaime Rivera said members earned around:
$18 to $19 per hour
He also said the crew received a daily food allowance. Another benefit is the chance to watch matches when they are not working, subject to seating availability.
The US Open’s own website uses the official name Ball Crew and runs an application process for people who want to join the team.
How much someone earns during the entire tournament therefore depends on how many hours and shifts they work.
A Ball Crew member who works more hours will naturally earn more than someone with fewer shifts.
It is also important to note that the $18–$19 figure is not a permanent official rate. It was reported by a long-time crew member for the 2026 tournament, so future rates may be different.
How Much Do Australian Open Ball Kids Make?
Australian Open ball kids do not receive a normal cash wage.
In January 2026, ABC Melbourne reported that Australian Open ball kids were rewarded with merchandise, food and the experience of participating in the tournament rather than regular pay.
Tennis Australia’s official ballkid program describes the opportunity mainly in terms of experience, teamwork, leadership, friendships and the chance to share a court with professional players. For the Australian Open, ball kids are generally aged 12 to 15.
The program is highly competitive, and selected ball kids receive extensive training before stepping onto a court at Melbourne Park.
Although there is no normal salary, the experience gives young tennis fans something that is difficult to buy: the chance to stand only a few meters away from some of the world’s best players during a Grand Slam match.
How Much Do Wimbledon Ball Boys and Girls Make?
Wimbledon’s system is slightly different again.
The All England Club describes Ball Boys and Girls as part of its volunteer participation in its privacy documentation. The same document mentions providing food and paying agreed expenses where required. It does not publish a normal hourly salary for BBGs.
Various media reports have described a small expense payment or stipend for Wimbledon BBGs over the years. However, because the amount is not clearly published as an official salary by Wimbledon, it is safer to think of the position as a volunteer role with expenses and benefits rather than a normal paid job.
The opportunity itself is very competitive.
For example, ABC News reported that only around 280 Ball Boys and Girls were selected from approximately 1,500 applicants for Wimbledon in 2024. Successful candidates also go through months of training before The Championships begin.
So while a Wimbledon BBG should not expect a normal sports salary, being selected is still considered a special opportunity for young tennis fans.
How Much Do Roland-Garros Ball Kids Make?
At Roland-Garros, ball kids are also generally volunteers rather than salaried workers.
French newspaper La Dépêche reported that the young ball kids are considered volunteers and do not receive a salary from the French Tennis Federation. Their costs during the tournament are covered, including food, and they can keep their equipment.
Getting selected is difficult.
Roland-Garros says around 6,000 young people can apply, with approximately 300 selected to experience the tournament as ball kids.
The tournament describes it as a three-week experience that places the selected youngsters at the heart of one of tennis’s biggest events.
For most participants, the attraction is therefore not money. It is the opportunity to work courtside at Roland-Garros and be around professional players.
Do Ball Boys Get Paid at ATP and WTA Tournaments?
It depends on the tournament.
There is no single salary for ball boys across the ATP Tour or WTA Tour.
Some events use volunteers.
For example, the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells says more than 1,200 people volunteer across different tournament roles, including ball kids.
The Hall of Fame Open also lists benefits for its ball kids rather than an hourly salary. Its benefits have included:
- an official uniform to keep;
- lunch and snacks;
- complimentary grounds passes for parents or guardians; and
- the chance to be on court during a professional tournament.
Other professional events may use different systems.
That means someone interested in becoming a ball person should always check the official information from the specific tournament rather than assume the position will be paid.
Why Would Someone Be a Ball Kid Without Getting Paid?
Standing beside a tennis court for hours, running after balls and staying focused in hot weather may sound like a lot of work for no salary.
But there are several reasons thousands of young people still apply.
1. They Get Very Close to Professional Tennis
Few fans ever get the chance to stand on the same court as Grand Slam champions.
Ball kids may work matches involving the biggest names in tennis while seeing the speed and movement of professional tennis from a completely different angle.
2. They Receive Training
Being a ball kid is more complicated than simply picking up tennis balls.
Ball kids must learn how to:
- roll balls accurately;
- know where to stand;
- move quickly without disturbing a point;
- understand tennis scoring and match situations;
- work as a team;
- remain focused for long periods; and
- react to what players need.
The Australian ballkid program, for example, specifically highlights skills such as teamwork and leadership.
3. They May Receive Free Equipment and Food
Even when there is no salary, tournaments often provide other benefits.
These can include uniforms, shoes, hats, meals, snacks, gifts, tournament access or tickets for family members.
The exact package depends on the event.
4. It Can Be a Memorable Experience
For a young tennis player or fan, working on Centre Court, Rod Laver Arena, Court Philippe-Chatrier or Arthur Ashe Stadium can become a lifetime memory.
That is one reason the selection process can remain very competitive even when little or no cash payment is offered.
Is Being a Tennis Ball Boy Easy?
No.
From the stands, the job can look simple. In reality, ball kids need good fitness, concentration and coordination.
They must retrieve balls quickly while avoiding unnecessary movement during play.
They also need to understand where the balls are located around the court so that a server can receive them without delay.
At the US Open, experienced Ball Crew members described working in rotations while dealing with long days and intense summer heat. They said endurance and hydration are important parts of handling the job.
The best ball kids are usually the ones spectators barely notice. They move quickly when needed and remain still when the point is being played.
Can Being a Ball Kid Become a Full-Time Job?
Usually, no.
Being a ball kid is normally a temporary tournament role, not a year-round career.
Many programs are specifically designed for children or teenagers. Once participants become too old, they can no longer apply.
There are exceptions. The US Open Ball Crew is unusual because adults can also be part of the crew, and some members return for many years.
Ballkid experience can also introduce people to other careers in tennis.
Tennis Australia, for example, highlights people who began as ball kids before later working in areas such as court services, ballkid supervision or other tournament roles.
How Do You Become a Tennis Ball Boy?
There is no worldwide application system.
You need to apply directly to the tournament or tennis organization running the ballkid program.
The process can include:
- submitting an application;
- attending a trial;
- passing ball-handling and fitness assessments;
- completing training sessions; and
- being selected for the final tournament team.
Major tournaments can receive far more applications than they have available positions.
At Roland-Garros, for example, only around 300 are selected from thousands of potential applicants.
The Australian Open also requires selected ball kids to complete training before the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tennis ball boys get paid?
Sometimes. There is no universal salary. Some tournaments use unpaid ball kids or volunteers, while others pay them.
How much do US Open ball boys make?
A veteran member of the US Open Ball Crew said the 2026 rate was around $18–$19 per hour, plus a daily food allowance. Rates can change in future years.
Do Australian Open ball kids get paid?
Australian Open ball kids did not receive a regular cash wage in 2026. Benefits included merchandise, food and the tournament experience.
Do Wimbledon ball boys get paid?
Wimbledon describes its Ball Boys and Girls as volunteers and mentions paying agreed expenses where required, rather than publishing a standard hourly wage.
Do Roland-Garros ball kids get paid?
They are generally considered volunteers rather than salaried employees. Food and equipment are among the benefits provided during the tournament.
Do ball boys get tips from tennis players?
Tips are not a normal part of the ball person’s role. Ball kids work for the tournament, not individual players.
Are all tennis ball boys children?
No. Many tournaments use children and teenagers, but rules vary. The US Open Ball Crew, for example, can include adults.
What do tennis ball boys get besides money?
Depending on the tournament, benefits can include uniforms, meals, shoes, gifts, tournament access, match tickets and valuable experience working at a professional sporting event.
The Bottom Line
So, how much do tennis ball boys make?
The answer can range from no regular cash salary at all to an hourly wage.
Many tournaments treat ball kids as volunteers and reward them with food, uniforms, equipment and the opportunity to work alongside professional tennis players.
The US Open is different. Its Ball Crew is paid, and a veteran crew member reported earning around $18 to $19 per hour in 2026, in addition to receiving a daily food allowance.
At the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, ball kids generally do not receive a regular cash wage, while Wimbledon operates its Ball Boys and Girls program as a volunteer program with certain expenses covered.
For most ball kids, however, the biggest reward is not the paycheck. It is the rare chance to experience professional tennis from one of the best seats in the stadium—right on the court.
