From ABC News · ABC News · · 1m 20s
The ball crew that keeps the US Open running
Nightline spends a day with the U.S. Open ball crew, the people every point depends on and almost nobody watches.
In brief
Nightline spends a day with the U.S. Open ball crew, the people every point depends on and almost nobody watches. The most visible matches in tennis run on the least visible people on the court. Originally reported by ABC News.
Nightline goes courtside
ABC's Nightline took cameras past the barriers at the U.S. Open to follow the ball crew through a working day at the tournament.
“Behind the scenes with the US Open Ball Crew”
Meet the ball crew
They are the ones sprinting after every stray ball, crouching still at the net, and resetting the court between points so the match never stalls.
Unsung heroes
The segment frames them as the tournament's overlooked backbone: on court for every point, in the highlight reel for none of them.
“considered the unsung heroes of the tournament”
Hard work, no spotlight
Nightline's emphasis is on the labor itself. Long shifts in late-summer New York heat, full attention on every rally, zero margin for a fumbled ball.
“the hard-working ball crew of the U.S. Open”
Timed to the tournament
The piece ran September 10, 2026, while the Open was still commanding New York's attention and the crew was still working the courts.
Watch the edges of the frame
Next match you watch, follow the kids in the corners instead of the ball. The rhythm of professional tennis is set by people the broadcast rarely names.
The essence
The most visible matches in tennis run on the least visible people on the court.
