To become a ball boy or girl you have to compete an application form. However, you only have a chance of being chosen if you are a pupil at one of a selected list of schools in the area near Wimbledon, and you would have to be personally recommended by your head teacher as well. You normally have to be in school year 9 or 10, so most ball boys and girls are 14 to 16 years old.

Over 700 people apply each year, but only about 250 are chosen after completing various written tests as well as skills tests. They work for most of the Wimbledon fortnight,and a small money payment is made after the tournament - just under £200. However, the money really isn't the reason why they do it - it's very hard work, and the excitement and prestige (and having it on your CV) are much more important to most of the ball boys and girls than the money.

Updated: 25/07/2017