ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
The official sponsor of Roland-Garros’ ball kids for over 50 years*, BNP Paribas, via its We Are Tennis platform, is inviting viewers to follow the daily lives of these young tennis fans in the “Ball Kids Academy” programme. Their back story, their missions, their emotions: dive into the heart of this special tribe and step behind the scenes of this unique experience!
Ball Kids Academy: Getting to know the Roland-Garros ball kids
During the 2025 edition of the Parisian Grand Slam, We Are Tennis by BNP Paribas is shining the spotlight on the ball kids and their adventures with a brand-new online reality show!
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTWelcome to the Ball Kids Academy
Every year, 300 young tennis fans (chosen from 6,000 candidates!) experience a unique three-week adventure at the Porte d’Auteuil. Essential to the smooth running of the tournament, the ball kids experience some outstanding moments, both on and off the clay courts.
In addition to showcasing their remarkable performances on court, Ball Kids Academy immerses viewers in the life of a ball kid, as six representatives from the class of 2025 (Antoine, Artemis, Constance, Lola, Louis and Sacha) share their daily antics on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, from 15th May to 8th June. In honest, no-filter daily interviews, they talk about their happy and sadder moments, their stories and even their hopes and fears throughout the duration of the competition.
Whether it is their first time or they have already taken part – like Louis, who is a ball kid for the third year in a row, and was even on duty for the 2023 women’s final and the 2024 men’s final – this event already promises to be unforgettable!
©BNP ParibasA brand-new cast
This new programme – which will be broadcast every day and is presented by the creators of the “Mayadorable et Jules” content, nicknamed “Les Pachas” – will also be an opportunity to learn more about the staff who look after the ball kids, particularly Arthur Bongrand, their manager.
Players and celebrities will also make an appearance in the show, including the patron of this year’s team, none other than three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka. “I’m delighted to be the patron of Ball Kids Academy and I’m proud to be part of this venture,” said the winner of Roland-Garros 2015. “This initiative, launched by BNP Paribas, highlights the passion of these 300 youngsters, and I think it’s nice to show that because they deserve it. Having seen them in action every year at Roland-Garros, I can assure you they do an incredible job!”
Finally, Elise Hermant (Communications Manager for the BNP Paribas Group) will be Programme Director and will provide the young cast of the show with all the support they need.
Head to the We Are Tennis by BNP Paribas networks on 15th May to watch the exciting story of our ball kids!
©Pauline Ballet / FFTStan Wawrinka and the ball kids at Roland-Garros 2024
*Since 1973, BNP Paribas has sponsored the ball kids at Roland-Garros and, since 2000, has been involved in selecting them from clubs all over France. Before 2000, only players registered in the Île de France region could apply. Thanks to BNP Paribas’ support, 6,000 young players can now apply to take part, and 300 of them are selected to work as ball kids at France’s most prestigious tennis tournament. Alongside the FFT, BNP Paribas also created the We Are Ballos platform five years ago, to galvanise and bring together the ball kid community.