The selected participants emerged from national trials held in New Delhi, where 60 shortlisted candidates competed for the opportunity to represent India at the Grand Slam tournament.
Kia India has selected four young participants for its Australian Open 2027 (AO27) Ballkids Programme following national trials held at the R.K. Khanna Tennis Stadium in New Delhi on October 24 and 25, 2026. The selected participants will have the opportunity to represent India as Official Australian Open Ballkids at the Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne.
The initiative brought together 60 shortlisted candidates who had progressed through city-level trials conducted in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. The programme aims to give young Indians first-hand exposure to the scale, discipline and operational demands of professional tennis at one of the sport’s biggest international events.
Kia India AO27 Ballkids Programme: Selection Process
The selection process began with digital registrations, followed by city-level trials across the three cities. A total of 60 participants advanced to the national stage in New Delhi, where they underwent assessments designed to evaluate their suitability for supporting matches at a world-class tennis tournament.
Of the 60 shortlisted candidates, 24 advanced to the final stage of assessments. The process evaluated participants on agility, coordination, focus, responsiveness, communication and teamwork — qualities considered essential for ballkids working during professional tennis matches.
The national trials culminated in the selection of four participants who will have the opportunity to become Official Australian Open Ballkids at AO27. Kia India has not named the selected participants in the announcement.
Selected Participants to Experience Australian Open 2027
The four selected young Indians are expected to gain first-hand exposure to the intensity and precision involved in running an international Grand Slam tournament. The experience will also provide an opportunity to observe the professionalism, discipline and teamwork required behind the scenes at a major sporting event.
Through the programme, Kia India is extending its association with the Australian Open to young participants in India, creating an opportunity for them to engage with tennis beyond the playing court.
Commenting on the initiative, Atul Sood, Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing at Kia India, said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to celebrating tennis and inspiring the next generation. He congratulated the four selected participants and expressed anticipation about their participation at the Australian Open 2027 in Melbourne.
Kia’s Association with the Australian Open
Kia has been associated with the Australian Open for more than 24 years as the tournament’s Official Automotive Partner. The AO27 Ballkids Programme builds on this longstanding partnership by creating opportunities for young Indians to experience one of tennis’s most prestigious international competitions.
The initiative also aligns with Kia’s global brand philosophy, ‘Movement that Inspires’, which focuses on encouraging participation, nurturing aspirations and connecting communities through sport.
For Kia India, the programme provides a platform to strengthen its engagement with tennis while offering selected young participants an opportunity to experience the demands and atmosphere of a Grand Slam tournament.
Kia India operates a manufacturing facility in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, which began mass production in August 2019 and has an installed annual production capacity of 4 lakh units. The company’s Indian portfolio includes models across multiple segments, spanning the Sonet, Seltos, Syros, Carens, Carnival and its electric vehicle range.
