Ball Kids at the China Open Share Their Experiences

Chloe Rong, Senior Manager of Competition Services, expressed the program's main goal: "Every day is filled with joy when they're on court. They're happy, we try to make them healthy and we try to make them enjoy the time spent in China. That's our most important job."

Some of the ball kids spoke to the media about their experiences.

Zhang Xinyue, 16, from China, learned about the ball kid opportunity through WeChat and applied immediately. She has previous Grand Slam experience, having served as a ball kid at Roland Garros in 2025, where she built lasting friendships. Zhang shared her excitement about being part of the China Open and meeting players from around the world. Her favorite player is Zheng Qinwen, who is currently competing in the tournament. "I'm really glad to see her come back to the court again after her injury," Zhang said.

Talon Mackenzie, also 16 and from Australia, became inspired to be a ball kid after attending the Australian Open in 2022. He initially did not advance in qualifying but eventually made it to serve during the men’s singles final at the 2025 Australian Open. Mackenzie was selected by Tennis Australia for the China Open and has enjoyed the thrill of being on court during matches. He noted, "It's so cool to see your idols playing on court. You're so close to them... It's such a completely different experience compared to being in the stands."

He added that the atmosphere in Beijing has been exhilarating, particularly during intense match moments, saying, "All of us ball kids are doing our own thing... the adrenaline rush is so crazy and so exciting."

Li Xiaoyi, 15, has served as a ball kid for four years and has seen continual improvements in the tournament. He has also participated in Melbourne, appreciating the cross-cultural exchanges and techniques he learned there. "When I see those kinds of nice key shots, I also feel happy. Every time I serve them, I get very excited," he said.

Joshua Yapi, 16, represents France and came to Beijing after performing well at Roland Garros. This is his first time in the city, and he appreciates the organization and support from the supervisors. Yapi described their daily preparations, including warm-ups and practicing techniques to ensure their rolls are smooth and efficient: "Our rolls have to be flat, fast, and precise."

The ball kids emphasized the fun and rewarding aspects of their roles, looking forward to making memories and building friendships during this exciting tournament.