At top tennis tournaments, stealthy ‘ballers’ keep the gears turning

The Washington Post profiles ball retrievers, known as 'ballers,' at the DC Open tennis tournament, highlighting their demanding yet largely unnoticed role in keeping matches running smoothly. The piece focuses on 54-year-old Kuangkai Tai, who stretches and stays physically prepared beneath the bleachers while waiting to sprint onto the court during breaks in play. The feature sheds light on the athleticism and concentration required of these behind-the-scenes tournament workers.