'Not as Easy as it Looks'

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Sept. 9, 2007 — -- There are just a few minutes left until the big match. The athletes stretch and hydrate themselves, preparing their bodies for the grueling physical workout that's about to start.

We're not talking about Federer, Henin, Venus, or Djokovic; but the six people stationed on the court around them during every match along the way: the U.S. Open ballpersons.

They are the boys, girls, men and women you don't usually hear about. In fact, you're not supposed to see them at all. They are a fleet of more than 275 athletes whose job it is to keep the tennis match moving along smoothly.

"The rule is, basically, to be unnoticed," said Tina Taps, director of ballpersons for the U.S. Open tennis championships.

"Once you see a ballperson, something's not quite right. If a ball has been kicked or it's somehow mishandled, the focus goes to the ballperson," Taps said. "All of a sudden, we're not quite invisible."

Every year, Taps conducts a massive tryout session for the young hopefuls. The only requirement is that they are at least 14 years old. This year, 200 spots were filled by veterans, leaving around 70 positions for the more than 350 kids competing for them.

Kristin Ogdon started as a ball girl when she was 15 years old -- and that was 15 years ago. "I love this job," she said, "It is more fun every year."

In fact, Ogdon loves it so much, she takes two-and-a-half weeks of vacation from her job in corporate marketing every year to do it.

"Everyone thinks I'm a little nuts," she admitted. "But you get to be up close and personal with the players, and I have the best seat in the house."

There are two ballpeople at the net, and four in the back. Ogdon works at the net, and is responsible for retrieving the ball after it hits the net.

"I'm the speedy one," she said, "I'm the agile one. I'm supposed to disappear. I zoom out, and disappear."

It's not as easy as it sounds or looks. And while the ballpersons are trained, they are not perfect. During this year's U.S. Open, one ballboy fell after lunging for a ball. Another missed grabbing the ball, and had what Taps and others describe as "butterfingers."

Incidents like these are what the rookies fear the most. Fidelis Idoko, 17, is one of the rookies — this is his first year as a ballboy at the U.S. Open. He heard about the ballboy fumbles, and hoped that it wouldn't happen to him.

"I was extremely nervous. I just — the first thing in my head was, I just hope I don't make a mistake," Fidelis said.

Fidelis hasn't made any mistakes, and hopes to come back next year.

"There are so many people that have to pay to watch this game, but being a ballperson, you don't have to pay anything. ... It's like a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, so, I feel really — I feel really lucky to be here," he said.

These kids and adults worry about more than just picking up a ball. They have to keep track of the balls on court at all times, provide balls to the player to serve, keep track of the game, and fetch towels and drinks upon request. It's not exactly glamorous, but they are proud of what they do.

"I don't think [people] realize how tough it is," said Ogdon. "It's hot, you can get tired, there are long days, there are tough matches. If you're crouching, if you're kneeling, that's tough on the body. But, if you have a good attitude and you're excited to be there, that's what makes it worthwhile."

The Open is over now, and Ogdon, Idoko, and the rest of the crew didn't go home with accolades or trophies, but nonetheless, they are the athletes who shine by staying in the shadows.