US Open Holding Tryouts For Ball Persons
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If you've dreamed of taking the court with tennis greats like Roger Federer and the Williams sisters at the US Open, but your tennis game is lacking, there may be another way.
As CBS 2's Alice Gainer reported, only the best in tennis stand on the court every summer at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens, and that includes the ball people.
"(Are you pretty quick?) Yea not bad," said one candidate.
"I was here last year and actually got a call back last year," said another.
About 400 people 14 years and older are trying out to be ball people.
"I wanna be on the court with the pros. I want this, it's a great experience," said Alex Levy, of Cranford, N.J.
Only about 80 will make the final cut.
"When you're a ball person, it's probably the best seat in the house," said ball person supervisor Nathan Hollins.
Hollins said there are two spots: back position and net position.
He also gave Gainer a few tips on her tennis form.
For those who do make the callbacks, they know a tryout like this is rare.
"Not a lot of people get this opportunity and being in an area where you get this opportunity is special," one candidate said.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com: