These kids are having a ball

Despite the elimination of all Chinese singles players from the Australian Open, there's still a large Chinese presence at Melbourne Park.

Funded by China Life Insurance, six Chinese ball kids had qualified from more than 100 candidates at home and are among 350 children serving at the Open -braving fiery summer heat and sometimes petulant players.

Jia Zhe, the most experienced of the six Chinese ball kids, has made it to Rod Laver Arena, the Open's central court, after going through pre - event training and tests overseen by Australian professionals with his peers 10 days ahead of the tournament.