By Steve Oldfield
Special to NKyTribune
The Cincinnati Open features some of the world’s top tennis stars with the best players typically featured on the biggest courts. The same goes for the kids who keep everything moving between points – the ball boys and ball girls (who are sometimes adults).
Two of the top volunteers are a dynamic duo – a brother and sister from Northern Kentucky.
Titus Barbour, 16, and his sister Everett, 18, from Ryland Heights, have been working the tournament for five years. They frequently find themselves assigned to the biggest matches
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“Because we’re siblings, there’s that connection already,” said Everett, who enjoys working in sync with her brother, not to mention the rest of the ball crew.
“Working with the other kids over time, you really form a connection with them and are able to work as a team which is really cool.”
Titus is typically running back and forth at the net. He crouches down on one knee during the point, then jumps up and retrieves balls. He then rolls them down the court to his sister who is waiting to toss or hand the balls to the server.
Everett and the other ball people working the baseline have another job too that they’re not as crazy about: handing the players their sweaty towels to wipe off between points.
“Sometimes, they (the players) blow their noses in them too,” said Everett with a laugh. “It’s not really a big deal – you just wash your hands when you get off court and grab the towels by the corner.”
She’s not complaining. Everett and Titus love working the tournament.
“It’s really cool to be on court with the players,” said Titus. “Just to experience them in person and see how they act around you.”
He and his sister grew up playing tennis at Five Seasons Sports Club in Crestview Hills. They both feel like they’ve become better players because of their chance to work on court at the tournament.
Everett says that watching the pros up close has helped her to understand how the mental side of tennis really matters.
“Seeing how the players react to things up close and being able to hear the encouragement they give themselves under their breath is really interesting,” Everett said.
The Barbours are proud of the praise their crew frequently receives from the players, including one who was part of their volunteer ranks when she was a kid: Greater Cincinnati pro Caty McNally.
“They’re the best,” McNally said. “They do a great job.” McNally and the Barbours encourage other young people to get involved with the ball crew.
“They’re a big reason why this tournament is so special,” McNally said.
Boys and girls have to be at least 12 years old to volunteer and they have to pass a written test and another one on court in a tryout.
“Work hard, run fast and listen to what the superiors say,” Everett said. “Do that and you’ll be fine.”
“Be prepared to work hard,” Titus said. “It can be really tough but it’s also really fun.”