ball boy

noun

1. Tennis.,  an attendant, usually a boy or young man, employed to retrieve balls and supply players with them.

2. Baseball.,  an attendant, usually a boy or young man, who retrieves foul balls and brings the umpire new balls during the game.

ball boy

noun

1. (in sport, esp tennis) a person who retrieves balls that go out of play

Word History and Origins

Origin of ball boy¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

"Of course, Barcelona, the impact in my life as a ball boy, football player, manager and so on, is obvious, and of course, Bayern was an incredible step as well," said Guardiola.

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The ball boys and girls were also given cooling scarves, while spectators attempted to shade themselves with hats, umbrellas and even towels, and others cooled themselves with hand-held fans.

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In March, Swiatek was criticised for reacting angrily towards a ball boy at Indian Wells, then given extra security after being verbally abused by an "aggressive and taunting" fan in Miami.

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But, first, let's talk you through a night which saw a Portuguese legend miss a penalty, a German ball boy become a hero and very nearly an Italian comeback to end all comebacks.

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Iga Swiatek is "not proud" of the way she took her frustration in Indian Wells out on a ball boy but has criticised the "standards" she faces in her behaviour as "not healthy".

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