Wimbledon Ball Kids: How Much Do They Earn at a Grand Slam?

Wimbledon is once again the center of world-class tennis, with top players competing for the Grand Slam title from June 29 to July 12. But how much do the ball kids at the traditional London grass tournament actually earn? Here’s the answer.

While stars like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Aryna Sabalenka take the spotlight at Wimbledon, the tournament’s smooth operation would be impossible without the ball kids. They ensure that balls are collected at lightning speed and returned to the players.

But how much do ball kids earn at Wimbledon and other Grand Slam tournaments? SPOX provides the answer.

Wimbledon: How Much Do Ball Boys and Girls Earn at a Grand Slam?

Ball boys and girls do not receive a regular salary at Wimbledon. Instead, they get an expense allowance of around 200 pounds, complimentary food, and the official Ralph Lauren uniform, which they get to keep after the tournament. For many, the mere opportunity to be part of the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world is motivation enough.

This is also evident in the high interest: every year, around 1,400 youngsters apply for one of the coveted spots, but ultimately, only about 280 ball kids aged 14 to 17 are selected.

At the French Open and the Australian Open, ball kids also do not receive payment. They work as volunteers and primarily benefit from exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, free equipment, and the chance to get up close to the tennis stars.

The US Open, however, is an exception: as the only Grand Slam tournament, it compensates ball kids for their work. The hourly wage is around 16 US dollars. However, predominantly college students and thus adult helpers are employed there.

Wimbledon: How Much Do Ball Boys and Girls Earn at a Grand Slam? Schedule Overview