THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE WIMBLEDON, WIMBLEDON
Wimbledon Tennis Championships is a place where many dreams become a reality. Where all the hard work and pain and sacrifice of the past year is finally measured upon the outcome of the game. However, this story does not focus on the training and skill of the tennis players within the world renounced Championships. This story focuses on the behind the scenes of the event, the people that train and trial for a shot to be in the background of these famous athletes. This story focuses on the Ball girls and Ball boys that help make Wimbledon one of the most organized, efficient and systematic World Championship in the world.
Due to this particular sporting event having a large impact on my community, my family and friends and the schools and pupils within my local area. This story is being written at the same time as my younger brother finds himself at the beginning of his own Boy Balling journey, currently at the stage where the training and trails have begun. Interestingly, even though he is coming home within the late hours of the evening with bruises and scrapes, he comes home with a jubilant and enthusiastic smile plastered upon his face. “Today was so good…” is how many of his descriptions and narrations of his experiences within trails start.
When interviewing a more seasoned and older ball boy I am surprised to see that same glint of excitement and joy in his eyes, asking about the experiences that he is willing to share with me about a time that was significant to him I receive an extremely detailed recount of the time that he gave Rodger Federer a towel to mop his brow with. “It was amazing because I never imagined that I would be that close to the action or in the company of such sporting legends, I mean these guys are amazing at what they do and it’s a real honor.” Each year when watching the sport, I find myself more mesmerized by the ball boys and girls and their control and knowledge of the job then many of the tennis players themselves. People of Britain, this just shows that even though you may be in the background or supporting someone else, it doesn’t mean that you are invisible or insignificant. It is the effort and passion that you put into whatever task you do that makes a difference to how far you travel in life.
