USTA New England set up a booth and mini court at the event promoting Net Generation, USTA’s new youth brand. The goal of Net Generation is to capture the imaginations of kids of all backgrounds and skill levels through a variety of programs, teaching and learning tools—bringing together a national community of parents, coaches, players, teachers, and volunteers.

“We were excited to bring Net Generation to the Stowe Mountain Lodge Classic this year. Nearly every child who attended the tournament played on our court and some were even lucky enough to play with Vasek Pospisil and Tommy Haas. We are happy to support this unique event and our official travel partner, Grand Slam Tennis Tours,” said Alex Wesley, USTA New England Marketing Director.

For the players participating in the Classic, these matches at the feet of Vermont’s most famous ski resort means an opportunity to warm up in a relaxing, quiet atmosphere, far removed from the din of Queens, N.Y., where upwards of 700,000 fans flock to the two-week event. For local tennis fans, it means a unique blend of intimacy and action, as the players get to show both their athletic prowess and their lighter side.

On Tuesday, the opening day of play, the two highest-ranked players in the tournament, Spaniard Albert Ramos Vinolas and American Jared Donaldson, stared down each other in the grueling midday sun and kept the other from gaining an inch. They brought their own heat, with punishing serves and returns that resulted in deuce after deuce, break point after break point.

“They literally keep the play moving,” Ross said of ball kids. “If ball kids weren’t there, no one would be able to get a ball. We’d have to wait for about 30 to 40 seconds in between every point. Balls would be scattered all over the place. No tournament can run effectively without ball kids.”

Ball kids retrieve balls, hand them to players to start the next point and do much more — fetch drinks, hold umbrellas for shade, offer players towels between points, and clean up the court after a match.

“I worked with ball kids for years. They’re crucial,” Ross said.