About two months ahead of the 2016 U.S. Open, preparations for the tournament are underway at Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Part of that process has become a competition all its own: the ballperson tryouts. NY1's Angi Gonzalez filed this report.

Kayla Bokowski of Bayside and Joy Dempsey of Raleigh, North Carolina were first in line at the 2016 U.S. Open Ballperson tryouts Thursday.

The two are from different parts of the country, but both had the same goal.

"I'm looking forward to trying out to be a ballperson," Dempsey said.

"It's a family tradition, and I just want to be part of the event," said Bokowski, who, at 14 years old, now meets the minimum age requirement for applicants.

The pair was not alone in their quest to become a ballperson.

Around 430 aspiring ballpersons showed up at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for a shot at sharing the court with the pros later this summer.

"They definitely have to be great athletes. So, that's the number one thing — great athlete, being able to run and throw and catch — and the second part is just having a level head," explained Tina Taps, the manager of U.S. Open Ballpersons.

Jessica Li, 15, was also at the tryouts and hoped her experience playing basketball and softball would work to her advantage.

"I'm used to throwing and [having] good hand-eye coordination, so it kind of gives me a little bit of an edge," the Middle Village resident said.

The competition was fierce as there were only between 80 and 100 slots to fill this year.

Obligations that come with the position can also be physically grueling.

"We do two hours on, two hours off with our crews, and you know when you are out in the sun all day and it's hard work," Ballperson Evaluator Wendy Baum explained. "You've got to stay focused. It's not the 10 or 15 throws you see [at tryouts]; it's all day long, you get tired."

Ballpersons are compensated for their work.

"They get a little paycheck at the end of the tournament," Taps said

Ballpersons must also be available for eight-hour shifts through Labor Day, as the tournament runs from August 23 through September 11.