Jacob and Ziggy were ball-boys for the Medibank International Sydney Tennis Tournament in Homebush.

The young tennis talents were nominated by their coach Col McAulay to join 120 other young tennis players trialled state-wide.

They were among 80 selected as ball-boys during the tournament.

McAulay, who is also involved in the transportation of the professional tennis stars during the tournament, said he received positive reports from coordinators commending the boy’s efforts on court.

“It took a fair commitment from the boys to be involved. It is physically demanding and you have to really be on-the-ball.

“But, as tennis players it was good for them to be on court and see how hard the professionals play and how much pressure they can be put under,” McAulay said.

Jacob said the on-court pressure could sometimes lead to the professionals getting “pretty grumpy, especially when they were losing.”

Jacob and Ziggy got to share the court with the likes of tennis stars Serena Williams and Marcos Baghdatis.

Jacob, 16, who has been playing tennis since he was 10, said being surrounded by such famous people was an ‘interesting’ experience.

However, the young tennis player said the professional forum was not for him – he was happy to continue playing social tennis to keep fit and healthy.

Ziggy Fatnowna, who is currently studying at The Scots College in Sydney, was impressed to play ball-boy for Serena Williams, although he was hard to recognise during the televised tournament after cropping his famous curly locks for his new school.