That Wimbeldon ball boys/girls are exploited and treat like shit

[Inkanta]

I don't think they should be expected to pass towels to players after each point and when the player wipes the sweat off his face and walks around the court, have to face the player and walk backwards, waiting to be thrown the sweat soaked towel, sometimes viscously at their face. One ball girl was in tears yesterday after being yelled after by Novak-Djokovic. Can't be right surely.

They're taken from local schools, Trixy.
My brother still lives in the area, I could ring him and ask for a school place!

I can't believe people get worked up about this. They're teenagers not little children! They choose to be there, he shouldn't have shouted but It's about as far from slavery as you can get. How do people get through life being this pathetic precious? Get a grip of yourself.

I don't get the fuss about Novak D shouting at the ball girl. He barked 'Towel'at her in a mean way but that was it. Despite the DM headline he didn't make he cry.

He was rude and aggressive and should apologize - it's barely newsworthy
BTW I think the OPis being a a wind up merchant but suggesting her use of towel 'slave'is some grave insult to human rights is a bit silly and contrived.

They definitely need gloves, and ear defenders to protect against all the "narrrgh" noises. While we're at it knee pads and a helmet incase they trip over.
Poor little lambs, after all they didn't ask to be put through this ordeal did they?

Exclusive preview of next year's outfits for Wimbledon ball boys and girls revealed:

Maybe something like this, for facial protection?

Haven't read the thread properly yet. All I know is that things must have changed since my day. Anyone who wanted was allowed to try out. You went through the various rounds and if you were good you got through. No input by teachers at all. And we were desperate to be chosen, it was such a big deal. One friend was the first ball girl ever on Centre Court and it was just thrilling. Assume that much hasn't changed and that iff they're chosen it's still a big honour.

Love the suggestions for next years uniforms!!

and they probably need trained counsellors too

this is, in fact, the second time this year that Djokovic has harangued a ball boy/girl. he seems like quite the nob, to be honest.
he said yesterday something along the lines of: "i'll apologise for whatever it is people think i did wrong". that's not an apology.
all i keep thinking is "Dude, you have a kid! go cop yourself on and stop treating other kids like cunts".

Margo I think things have perhaps changed since your DCs were at school. DD was a ball girl about 5 years ago and was definitely chosen by the official people, rather than the HT or anyone at the school. All the kids were allowed to try out initially and the school had no say, to my knowledge. (In fact, had any of the teachers been involved in the selection, DD would definitely NOT have been chosen - she wasn't exactly popular with the staff as she messed around far too much!).

Some of my elder daughter's class mates did it. On the whole it seems to have been a stressful but rewarding opportunity - loads of stories and anecdotes.

I was at that match yesterday and turned to my husband and said "I hope he's going to apologise, that was NOT good behaviour!" (can anyone tell I have a three year old).

Seriously, I don't care how cross he was. He was being an arse.

Although I don't think the ball girls and boys are exactly exploited. We saw a lot of them on court and a lot of them wandering around and watching other matches. They all looked like they were having a great time and were talking about the party they're all off to at the weekend :)

I thought it looked like great fun! In fact all the young people working there looked like they were having a good time - there was a girl cleaning the ladies towards the end of the day and even she was in good form!

Djokovic would however, have been on the naughty step in my house. Along with Madison Keys who didn't have the grace to wait for Radwanka before leaving the court. I hope Lindsey Davenport gave her a telling off.

I was a ball girl at Queen's back-in-the-day and loved it! You got time off school, free trainers and kit and could, if so inclined, get loads of autographs.
I did a centre court final with McEnroe and Flemming doubles - brilliant!

One friend was sworn at by Steve Denton but it was considered acceptable as it was a one-off. Bit like losing your temper with the kids.

You really need to get out more - I would have killed to do that at their age! Towel slaves and catching diseases - absolutely priceless!!

Oh boy, if you think that's being exploited then you have a lot to learn. In The words of McEnroe: "you cannot be serious"

You know, sometimes i feel both love and utter bafflement at mumsnet all at the same time

I can't believe it took six pages for someone to get "You cannot be serious!" in!

Oh I love Fasciniatng aida too and I haven't heard this one. Can't listen to it now as I am at work but I will when I get home. Thank you, thank you!

TheReturnIfTheSmartArse - my DC's experience was about 5 years ago too.

If it's true about Barnardos children being selected in the past (as someone up thread said), how ironic that nowadays it's children from local Wimbledon schools and whose parents have enough money to send them to tennis lessons.

margo do you suggest they have some sort of means testing now for the BBGs??

I thought the eligible schools are all secondaries in Wimbledon/Merton, and there is no requirement to be a tennis player. The only requirement being no serious black marks on school record for either attendance or conduct.

They do have to attend a lot of (free) BBG training sessions though. But that's why it's only local secondary schools, as the assumption is that all pupils will be able to attend with no significant travel/logistic barriers.

That's how it was in the mid 80s Edith. But that was a frighteningly long time ago!

001... nah, I'm just making conversation.

OK :)