New Delhi: Kia India has begun the Delhi leg of its Ballkids Program for the Australian Open 2027, with city trials scheduled for September 26 and 27 to identify young participants who could eventually represent India as Official Australian Open Ballkids in Melbourne.
Shortlisted boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 years will take part in the two-day selection process after registrations for the Delhi round closed on September 23. Twenty participants from the city will advance to the National Trials, from which four eventual winners will be selected to serve as Official Australian Open Ballkids at AO27.
No previous tennis experience is required to participate in the programme.
Instead, candidates will be assessed through a series of exercises focusing on agility, coordination, concentration, communication and teamwork — skills that become rather important when tennis balls are travelling considerably faster than they do during a casual weekend game.
Participants are required to attend the trials accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Trials Focus on Skills Beyond Tennis
The city-level selection process is designed to give participants an understanding of the responsibilities involved in working as a Ballkid during a professional tennis match.
Through on-court drills and other activity-based exercises, participants will be evaluated on their responsiveness, movement, coordination and ability to work as part of a team.
Ballkids play a supporting role during professional matches, helping ensure the game continues smoothly while maintaining concentration throughout play.
For the youngsters taking part in Delhi, the programme also provides an opportunity to experience tennis from a perspective that goes beyond simply watching or playing the sport.
Mumbai and Bengaluru Trials to Follow
After Delhi, the Kia India Ballkids Program will move to Mumbai on October 3–4, 2026, followed by Bengaluru on October 10–11, 2026.
Twenty participants will be selected from each of the three cities, creating a pool of 60 candidates who will progress to the National Trials in Delhi later this year.
From that group, four winners will ultimately be chosen to travel to Melbourne and represent India as Official Australian Open Ballkids at the Australian Open 2027.
Kia Builds on Long Australian Open Association
The programme forms part of Kia’s more than 24-year association with the Australian Open and its involvement with the tournament’s Ballkids programme.
Kia India said the initiative is intended to give younger tennis enthusiasts an opportunity to engage with the sport at an international level while experiencing the discipline and teamwork required behind the scenes at a Grand Slam tournament.
With Delhi beginning the selection process, the focus will now shift from registrations to performance on court. For the four youngsters who eventually make the final cut, what begins as a city trial in India could end beside some of the world’s leading tennis players in Melbourne at the Australian Open 2027.
