Tennis helper rolls it forward

BALLARAT-based ball boy Oliver Pittard’s four-year journey with the Australian Open’s Ballkid program has come to an end.

His final match was part of the men’s single final between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday at Rod Laver Arena, and Oliver will be too old to return next year.

Having volunteered in the program every summer since 2019, Oliver said it was “surreal” for it to be over.

“I’ve had a brilliant time over these four years, done some incredible matches and met some incredible people,” he said.

“It was a bit emotional that I won’t be back next year. In my first year I was able to do Nick Kyrgios at John Cain Arena, which was really big. Then the last two years I’ve been able to do both men’s finals.

“I’ve definitely learned a bit from some of the great players on the court and watched their techniques and footwork.”

Oliver started playing at seven years old, and currently trains at the Ballarat Regional Tennis Centre in Wendouree.

Though the Australian Open runs throughout January, Oliver’s ball kid training began in March the year before with monthly sessions leading up to the tournament.

This year, Oliver was joined by his younger sister Phoebe, who volunteered for the program for the first time.

He said it was like a passing of the torch to share the court duties with his sibling.

“A lot of the times, we were on the same shift time and saw each other daily,” he said. “I was able to give her a few tips, like run a bit faster or roll a bit quicker. She’ll keep it going for me.”

Phoebe has been playing tennis for about three years, and she’ll volunteer again and that Oliver was a great guide for her.

“I found it all really enjoyable and got lots of input from Oliver since he’s been doing it for four years so I kind of knew what I was getting into,” she said.

“He’s taught me pretty much how to be a ball kid so I’m very grateful for that because I know a lot of them don’t have that.”