From the Stands to the Clay: 14-Year-Old Léonore Dussouillez Selected as Roland-Garros Ball Girl

For most tennis fans, the magic of Roland-Garros is experienced from the towering heights of the stands or through the glow of a television screen. But for Léonore Dussouillez, a 14-year-old tennis enthusiast from the Franche-Comté region of France, the perspective is about to change drastically. This May, the young athlete will trade the spectator’s seat for a position on the red clay as an official ball girl for the 2026 French Open.

The selection process for the tournament’s “ballos” is notoriously rigorous, functioning more like a professional tryout than a volunteer application. Out of an initial pool of 7,500 applicants, only 301 were chosen to make the final cut. For Léonore, a student at Collège Cassin in Noidans-lès-Vesoul, the news marks the culmination of a journey that began with selection tests following the spring break. She now holds the distinction of being the only representative from the Haute-Saône department among the selected group.

For a global audience, the role of a ball girl at a Grand Slam might seem secondary, but We see a high-pressure assignment that requires agility, intense focus, and a deep understanding of the game’s rhythm. A single misplaced ball or a mistimed sprint can disrupt the flow of a match between the world’s top players. For Léonore, who is already a competitive player herself—currently ranked 15 at her club, TCAV—the role is as much a learning experience as it is an honor.

The Path to the Red Clay

Léonore is no stranger to the atmosphere of the Stade Roland-Garros, having visited the grounds twice as a fan. However, the transition from observing the game to facilitating it is a leap in intensity. Her journey toward the 2026 tournament began with a series of demanding tests designed to vet applicants for physical stamina and mental alertness.

The selection committee looks for more than just speed. They seek candidates who can remain invisible yet efficient, moving in synchronization with the players and the chair umpire. Being one of the 301 selected from 7,500 candidates places Léonore in the top 4% of applicants, a testament to her discipline and passion for the sport.

The experience is scheduled to begin on May 16, launching a three-week odyssey that will immerse her in the professional circuit. This timeline is critical, as it allows the ball crew to synchronize their movements before the high-stakes environment of the main draw. The official qualifiers, which serve as the gateway for lower-ranked players to enter the main tournament, begin on May 18, providing Léonore with her first real-time experience on the courts.

Courtside Dreams and Player Perspectives

Every young tennis player has a hero, and for Léonore, the draw of the 2026 tournament is centered on the legendary Novak Djokovic. The anticipation of seeing the Serbian icon up close—not from a distance in the crowd, but within arm’s reach during a changeover—is the driving force behind her excitement. Djokovic’s precision and intensity are well-known, and for a 14-year-old player, observing his habits and focus from the baseline is a masterclass in professional athletics.

However, the excitement is tempered by a bit of disappointment. Early reports indicate that Carlos Alcaraz, the dynamic Spanish star, will be skipping the event this year. For a generation of young players like Léonore, Alcaraz represents the modern evolution of the game—explosive, aggressive, and charismatic. Missing his presence on the clay is a blow to the fan experience, but the opportunity to serve the world’s elite remains the primary goal.

Note for readers: In the world of professional tennis, the “ball crew” is often the unsung hero of the match. Their ability to quickly retrieve balls and deliver them to the server without hesitation is what allows the game to maintain its rapid pace, especially during the grueling long rallies typical of clay-court tennis.

The Stakes of the “Ballo” Experience

While the role is supportive, the pressure is real. Ball girls must master the “silent communication” of the court, anticipating where a shot will land before the player even hits it. For Léonore, Here’s a practical extension of her own training at TCAV. The mental fortitude required to stand perfectly still for long periods, only to explode into a sprint in a fraction of a second, mirrors the physical demands of a competitive match.

Beyond the physical requirements, there is a profound psychological element. Being on court with the top players in the ATP and WTA rankings requires a level of composure that few 14-year-olds possess. Léonore will be operating in a stadium where every movement is scrutinized by thousands of spectators and millions of viewers worldwide.

For the community in Noidans-lès-Vesoul, Léonore’s selection is a point of local pride. In a region where sports often serve as a bridge to broader opportunities, her presence at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events highlights the reach of the sport beyond the major metropolitan hubs of Paris or Lyon.

What to Expect in the Coming Weeks

As May progresses, Léonore and her fellow 300 colleagues will undergo final briefings and drills. The focus will be on the specific protocols of Roland-Garros, including the precise way balls are handed to the server and the coordination required to clear the court during a challenge or a medical timeout.

The schedule for the ball crew is grueling, often involving early mornings and late nights to cover everything from the outer courts to the Philippe Chatrier center court. For a student in the third year of middle school (troisième), this three-week hiatus from normal life is a plunge into the deep end of professional sports management.

Léonore’s story is a reminder that the Grand Slams are not just about the trophies and the headlines; they are built on the contributions of hundreds of dedicated individuals working behind the scenes. Whether she ends up on a side court or the main stage, the experience will undoubtedly shape her own trajectory as a tennis player.

The next major milestone for the tournament begins on May 16, when the ball crew officially reports for duty, followed by the start of the qualifying rounds on May 18. We will continue to monitor the developments of the 2026 French Open as the world’s best descend upon Paris.

Do you think the experience of being a ball girl helps young players improve their own game? Let us know in the comments below.