The tryouts for the U.S. Open ball crew are very quick.
They watch you for what feels like 2 or 3 minutes.
I dont blame them, though.
Im atennis player, and Ive always attended the tournament.
A couple of years ago, I got the idea to try out for the crew.
My first tryout in 2021, at age 67, was a bust I didnt make the cut.
But I just said, OK, Ill try it again next year.
It never even occurred to me not to go back.
I like to be very direct.
That guy really put me through my paces.
I hadnt run like that since I was on the track team in high school.
Doctors dont advise that, but it did help me prepare for being under the sun.
A week after the 2022 tryouts, I learned Id made the crew.
I was over the moon.
But as the tournament got closer, I started wondering,What did I get myself into?
Being a ball person is a lot harder than it looks.
Along with your running and ball skills, there are mental demands.
Youre supposed to be as invisible as possible.
You dont talk to the players on the court ever.
I must have done OK, though, because I got invited back for this year.
Its exhausting, but I love it.
They want to take my picture and shake my hand.
It is very satisfying to keep up with folks so much younger than me.
Sometimes people my age feel dismissed.
But thats not true.
I want to show people that our demographic still has a lot to offer.
Bob Kass, 69, is a semiretired real estate executive in Port Washington, New York.
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