When January comes, 380 ball-kids will take part in the 2016 Australian Open, and Roger Federer is encouraging them to break the rules – when it comes to autographs and photos. There will be 138 first-timers working the courts at Melbourne Park, with 25 sets of siblings and two sets of twins among the group.
“I’m not sure if you’re allowed to do it, but if you’re not, ask me. I’m totally cool about it.”
Under no circumstances are ball-kids allowed to ask players for autographs or photos, but Federer is calling on the kids to make the most of their experience and break the rules.
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“I was a ballkid for two years,” he said in a video message to those selected. “I used to love it — chasing the players down for autographs and for pictures.” “I’m not sure if you’re allowed to do it, but if you’re not, ask me. I’m totally cool about it.”
Congrats to the official #ausopen 2016 #Woolworths Ballkid squad! @rogerfederer has your first piece of advice 😉
https://t.co/kuJnhg6mlZ
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) October 28, 2015
Federer made headlines in 2012 when he hit a ball in the direction of ball-boy Dylan Coraci who took what many dubbed as a one-handed “catch of the century”, and was more than a little chuffed in his efforts, with the effort repeated by another ball-kid off a Federer shot in 2014.
Federer Encourages Ball Kids to Break the Rules at 2016 Australian Open
Source: Herald Sun
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