MELBOURNE, January 6, 2025 (Press Release)

World No. 2 and Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev joined Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley to welcome the 428-strong Australian Open Ballkid Squad – the largest in the history of the tournament.

The enthusiastic group, outfitted in striking Ralph Lauren uniforms, hi-fived Zverev as he made his way through the group on Sunday. Zverev spoke about the importance of the ballkids and joined in the now iconic team photo – complete with a ‘balls in the air’ moment that has come to signify the beginning of the Australian Open.

¡Zverev cerró su entrenamiento con una foto junto a 428 ball boys del #AusOpen! pic.twitter.com/8TBbRsuP4Q

— ESPN Tenis (@ESPNtenis) January 5, 2025

This year’s squad includes participants from several global visitor programs, including six from the China Open, 20 from Korea, and two from the Roland Garros Exchange, where AO’s Top Guns will also represent Australia next year. The First Nations Ballkid Program returns with six talented participants from the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival joining the squad.