It takes a whole lot of practice to make it to the Women’s ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland, New Zealand each year. Just about every major name in women’s tennis has competed in the tournament since its inception 30 years ago.
While it’s a serious event for serious tennis players, the practice matches beforehand serve as some time to get the players accustomed to the court and their opponents, while also making sure they are able to have a little bit of fun along the way.
It may start off as all eyes on Venus Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova as they take the court for a practice match, but things quickly change when three brand new ball boys get the whistle, letting them know it’s time to get to work!
As the trio of pups adorned with ASB wrist bands excitedly run out to the court, it’s hard to tell whose smile is bigger…the audience’s, the players', or the dogs'! It shouldn't come as too much of a shock that these three have been given the chance to show off their fetching skills, though. Like Pakak, the dog who uses his paws like hands to lift and lower a tennis ball, or Purin, the soccer-playing beagle, these dogs were basically made to chase a ball around!
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Dogs have been used as ball boys in a tennis practice match with Venus Williams! Love this – Woods x
Posted by Sea FM Hobart on Thursday, January 15, 2015
