The ball kid selection training camp for the 2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters opened on Aug 17 at the Wunan campus of the Xuhui District Youth Sports Training Center.

The selection event was held from Aug 8 to 9 at CapitaMall LuOne in Huangpu district, where more than 300 young tennis enthusiasts took part in tests of ball tossing, physical fitness, reflexes, and tennis knowledge. A total of 120 standout candidates advanced to the training camp for comprehensive training.

During the three-day camp, participants will receive systematic theoretical and practical training, learning proper standing and crouching postures and ball tossing and catching techniques while taking part in simulated day and night court sessions.

A professional evaluation team will assess their performance throughout the training and select outstanding participants to advance to the Road to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where they will undergo on-court assessment from Sept 6 to 13.

The 60 participants who pass the final evaluation will join about 60 returning ball kids to form this year's ball kid team.

"I have been a ball kid for three years. I think being a ball kid is a great experience because it gives me the chance to get close to the players. I also look forward to doing a good job on the court and meeting more friends," said Yang Jiazhen, a returning ball kid.

"Around the world, ball kids are an essential part of the growth of tennis," said Michael Luevano, tournament director of the Rolex Shanghai Masters.

"They represent the next generation, not only of players, but also of kids who will grow up loving the sport and being a part of it. It's part of their development in terms of responsibility, hard work, dedication, and sometimes courage," he said.

Luevano said he began staging sports events in Shanghai in 1995.

"From 1998 through where we are today in 2026, it's like a solar eclipse. It was dark, and now it's completely bright," he said.

Luevano said Chinese women's tennis had played an important role in popularizing the sport in China, while Chinese men's tennis had also come of age.