Adorable moment ball kid saves a cricket from getting squished on the court at the Australian Open 

A ball kid has the stolen hearts of spectators at the Australian Open after saving a cricket from being squished on the tennis court. 

American AFL player Mason Cox shared the heartwarming moment from Melbourne Park on Friday night in a Tweet praising the youngster. 

‘These ball kids go above and beyond!’ Cox wrote in awe of the ball kid’s selfless act.

‘Last night I witnessed one of them save a life in the middle of a tennis match! Albeit was a cricket but still! 

Footage shows the crowd wildly cheer on the boy as he gently shoos the critter across the tennis court and out of harm’s way. 

The heartwarming moment captured the attention of sports journalist Sam McClure who commented: ‘I legit thought he was practicing his ball rolls’.

‘We could say, cricket was saved,’ joked another.

‘Legends. Each and everyone of them,’ added a third.

The boy is seen gently shooing the critter across the tennis court and out of harm’s way

The ball kids at the Australian Open have been described as the unsung heroes behind the grand slam tournament for their hard work on court.  

Sami and Charlie, who worked as ball kids during the 2020 Australian Open, previously told the Today Show that the job takes a lot of work and requires year-long training.

‘Pretty much right after AO ends we have a big try out and training period, so it goes pretty much the whole year until AO comes around,’ Sami explained.

After they try out, the ball kids have six to seven training sessions and they are then dispersed into different tournaments.