Ivan Ljubicic, Roger Federer’s coach, recently tweeted his displeasure with the new guidelines the tennis tour is aligning with, including the elimination of the ball boys during the qualifying tournament for the next Australian Open.
With the usual grace that distinguishes him, Ljubicic has always shown himself to be attentive and interested in everything that surrounds the world of tennis, expanding his visions beyond mere competition, which is why his opinion as an experienced man in the industry attracted a lot of reactions Has.
Former number 3 in the world has always appreciated the role that children play in tennis games, not only for its great adaptability and functionality to ensure the players a sudden and perfect pace, but also for the sense that their use represents, and that is the opportunity to have unique experiences a few steps away from their great sporting idols in facilities that may dream of being protagonists in the future.
Indeed, Ljubicic has stated that the absence of children made him even more understandable and valued the crucial role they play in keeping the flow of a tennis game undisturbed.
An emergency decision that could become practical?
Recall that the decision to keep the Ballkids (as they are called) out of the Australian Open qualifiers was made mainly as a precaution during the Covid period.
However, Ljubicic fears that this process could enjoy some continuity in the future. In his own tweet, Ivan said that ball boys are key to maintaining a certain pace in the game and that normality in the tournament will be restored once the ball boys, boys and girls, get back to their business.
The commitment of the ball boys in every tournament was as undisputed as their participation in every single event, which underlines the great excitement that this kind of role arouses in the hearts of the thousands of boys in each competition.
At the last Australian Open, for example, 360 ballkids took part, selected from 2,500 candidates, 38 of whom were from abroad. It should be remembered that this is not the only solution to rationalize the organization adopted by the ATP, this has already confirmed the presence of the Hawk-Eye in place of the linesmen not only in Australia but also in all the next seasonal Master 1000.
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