Every year, one of the most rewarding parts of working in the grounds industry is seeing where the job can take you. For me, that was once again the case this summer as I returned to Germany to work at the Berlin Open, one of the leading tournaments on the WTA calendar.
The event attracts some of the biggest names in women’s tennis and welcomes thousands of fans through the gates across the week. Being part of the team responsible for preparing and maintaining the courts is a great experience, particularly when you see the level of detail and professionalism that goes into hosting an international tournament of this standard.
Working at events like the Berlin Open gives grounds staff the chance to experience a different side of the industry. It’s not just about maintaining a playing surface. You’re working in a fast-paced environment where presentation, consistency and attention to detail are on display for players, officials, broadcasters and spectators from around the world.
This year’s tournament was another success, with excellent tennis throughout the week and a great atmosphere around the venue. It was also a reminder of how many opportunities exist for people willing to travel and gain experience in different environments.
One of the things we’re keen to do through International Greenkeepers For Hire is help more people access these opportunities. Looking ahead to next year, we’re hoping to place volunteers at several tournaments across Germany. The plan is to have one volunteer each week at three separate events: the Boss Open in Stuttgart, the Berlin Open, and the tournament in Bad Homburg, near Frankfurt.
For anyone interested, this could mean the chance to spend up to three weeks working at professional tennis events, gaining valuable experience, building industry contacts and seeing how major tournaments operate behind the scenes.
These placements offer something different from day-to-day work and can be a valuable addition to a CV. They also provide the chance to meet people from across the industry and experience working in an international setting.
If the idea of working at professional tennis tournaments appeals to you, keep an eye on our channels over the coming months as we begin planning for next year’s events. Opportunities like these don’t come around every day, and they are exactly the kind of experiences that can help people develop their careers while seeing another part of the world at the same time.
