From January, they will be denied the miserly per diem of $42 a match awarded for fetching balls, handling the sweat-laden towels and, perhaps, verbal serves from surly stars.
In place will be a gift package from the Open sponsors, although Tennis Australia was adamant it would match and possibly exceed what the kids could normally expect to earn in pocket-money.
The $20 daily allowance has been cut to an $8 snack package – about the cost of a sandwich in the player and media restaurant last year – but will also receive a lunch-pack that will compensate for the reduction, a spokesman said.
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This post was written by Steven .
Steven has been playing at a high level in tennis since the age of 14. He has played numerous world junior events as well as Futures and Satellite events on the ITF Tours. Additionally, Steven has played a lot of club tennis in France and Germany.
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I can’t imagine a major grandslam event like the Australian Open would treat kids like this. I agree experience is one thing plus being with the tennis idols is priceless but doing what they are doing under the scorching sun deserves a little bit more consideration considering this event millions in revenue.