Ballgirling: Behind the Scenes

Nonsuch High School for Girls have provided ballgirls for the Queen's Aegon Championships for the past 27 years and with over one hundred girls required for the tournament, months of rigorous training goes on behind the scenes.

The girls aged between 13-15 years old are handpicked in a selection process that tests their speed, agility and one of the harder skills of standing still.

Nicola Holmes, a PE teacher at Nonsuch, has been involved in recruiting young talent since 1993 and revealed what she looks for in a ballgirl.

"They have to be committed, reliable, punctual. We test all of those general life skills, as well as physical ability.

"Can they move and react quickly, can they stretch? Are they coordinated and agile? They need to have some tennis knowledge and react to situations that maybe we haven't even told them about."

Whilst holding three tennis balls in each hand, the girls have be able to stand still for up to 5 minutes but then "run quick like a meerkat - with purpose" wherever they're heading.

As representatives of the school, they are turned out immaculately each day with white trainers and matching hairstyles that the fellow schoolmates braid before games.

Ballgirls Izzy and Hannah explained how nerve racking it can be when standing on court, but that the crowds' cheers and anticipation around Hawk-eye really makes the experience enjoyable.

Facing some of the biggest names in tennis was the main highlight for the girls, with a surprise visit from 19 year old tennis star Denis Shapovalov "utterly amazing".

The ballgirls made history in 2014, with Grigor Dimitrov asking for a photo with the girls following his tournament win against Feliciano Lopez.

Describing the girls as "cuties", the endless list of stars the girls encounter is certainly a novelty that hasn't worn off.

"I've met Sue Barker, Jonathan Ross, Michael McIntyre - the list is endless! You never know who you might bump into," Nicola Holmes exclaimed.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was described as the easiest player to ballgirl for, with Andy Murray remembered for being incredibly "polite".

Xavier Malisse, who retired in 2016, was the most demanding. His superstitions meant he wanted the balls to be distributed down one side of the court at all times.

With the youngest stars of the tournament training up to three hours a week in preparation, it's safe to say the tennis players will be well looked after this year.