NBA star Jimmy Butler steals the show as ball kid and wins point against Alcaraz

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler stole the show at the US Open’s “Stars of the Open” event after dressing up as a ballboy before going to face Carlos Alcaraz. The six-time NBA All-Star made an appearance during world No. 1 Alcaraz’s practice session with last year’s US Open semifinalist Frances Tiafoe.

Taking place at the Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, the event saw a number of pros take to the court. The showcase was created in the name of charity, which this year helped to raise funds to benefit Ukraine relief efforts.

Among the pros taking part were US Open Champion Alcaraz, Tiafoe, Elina Svitolina, Chris Eubanks, Jessica Pegula and Matteo Berrettini. Fans were also treated to appearances from four-time US Open singles champion John McEnroe, Grammy-nominated singer Sebastián Yatra and Jimmy Butler as the show’s celebrity guests.

And it was Butler who managed to take the limelight during Alcaraz and Tiafoe’s match.

Jimmy Butler just showed the world how to beat Carlos Alcaraz

The pair were competing in a rematch of their US Open semi-final last year, in which Alcaraz defeated his American opponent in a five-set thriller, before going on to win the tournament. During the match Tiafoe went over to Butler – lined up and dressed in ball-kid uniform – and handed him his racket.

Butler asked: “Tell me what to do.” Before Tiafoe had a chance to reply, Butler responded, much to the crowd’s delight: “Drop shot, got it.”

Butler made his way to the baseline to huge cheers. After refusing to serve he asked Alcaraz to do the honors, asking: “Do a fast one so I can show you I can hit it back.”

The Spaniard proceeded to fire over a soft serve, with the pair going back and forth in a quick rally.

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Heading towards the net, Butler fired a quick forehand across court which caught Alcaraz by surprise. The Wimbledon champion stumbled across court and failed to get his shot back over the net.

Fans erupted into cheers with the Miami Heat star able to get one over the Wimbledon champion. Following the games it was revealed that a grand total of $320,000 (£253,000) was raised to support Ukrainian Relief Efforts through GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund.

Alcaraz will next be in action at the US Open which starts on August 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, where he will attempt to defend his title. Butler will next be in action for Miami Heat when they play the Charlotte Hornets on October 11 in preseason.

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