Kit
What size tennis racket does my child need?
Choose by height, not age. Stand your child up straight with the racket pointing down at their side: the tip should end about 3 cm above the floor, and if it touches the floor it is too long. As a starting point, children aged 5 to 8 use a racket of up to 23 inches, 8 to 10 year olds use 23 to 25 inches, and older juniors move to 25 or 26 inches before an adult racket.
Racket size by stage
Junior rackets are sold by length, from 17 inches for the smallest children up to 26 inches. The International Tennis Federation links each length to the red, orange and green ball stages most clubs use.
| Stage | Ages | Racket length |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 5 to 8 | up to 23 in (58 cm) |
| Orange | 8 to 10 | 23 to 25 in (58 to 63 cm) |
| Green | 9 to 10 | 25 to 26 in (63 to 66 cm) |
| Yellow | 11+ | 26 in to adult size |
Ages are a guide, and stages overlap. Within red, the ITF says many 5 to 7 year olds suit a 19 or 21 inch racket, depending on their size and strength, and it recommends an evenly balanced racket at green. Federations differ slightly too. Tennis Australia, for example, suggests 25 to 27 inches at green. Treat the table as a guide and use the fit test below to decide.
The fit test
This takes 30 seconds and works better than any age chart, because children of the same age can be very different heights.
- Ask your child to stand up straight with their arm relaxed by their side.
- Have them hold the racket by the end of the grip, with the head pointing straight down.
- Look at the gap between the tip of the racket and the floor. About 3 cm (just over an inch) is right. If the racket touches the floor, it is too long.
The LTA gives a similar check: with your child's arms stretched down by their sides, the tip of the racket should reach about their ankle.
Why not buy one to grow into?
A longer racket feels like better value, but it makes the game harder. The ITF says a child with a racket that is too long may control the ball less well and enjoy tennis less, fall into a reactive way of playing, and possibly get injured from the extra stress on developing limbs. A racket that fits lets them control the racket face, swing the whole way through and use their body to make a smooth stroke.
The ITF also notes that parents often see a bigger racket or a bigger court as a sign of progress. It is not. Progress is how well your child plays at their current stage.
Racket size by age: quick answers
Use these as a starting point, then check with the fit test. Tall or small children may need a size up or down.
- 4 years old: usually 17 or 19 inches, the smallest junior sizes.
- 5 to 6 years old: usually 19 or 21 inches.
- 7 to 8 years old: usually 21 or 23 inches.
- 9 years old: usually 23 or 25 inches, often as they move to orange ball.
- 10 years old: usually 25 or 26 inches, often as they move to green ball.
- 11 and over: 26 inches, then an adult racket once they have grown into it.
When to move up a size
Children grow quickly, so check the fit every few months. Move up when the racket clearly ends above the ankle in the fit test. The racket and the ball stage usually go up together, so ask your child's coach before buying, since they decide when a player is ready for the next stage.
Reading the label
Many junior rackets show a recommended age or height on the frame or packaging, and some are colour-coded red, orange or green to match the stages. The labels are helpful, but the fit test on your own child is what counts.
Do you need to buy one yet?
Not always. The LTA points out that almost every coach has spare rackets and balls, so a child can start lessons without their own kit. A racket of their own is worth buying once they want to practise at home, because a short racket and a soft ball are all most home drills need.
Home practice with the right racket
A racket that fits is easier to control in a small space, which matters indoors. Pair it with a foam or red ball and try our 10 tennis drills kids can do at home. If you are not sure which stage your child is at, see red, orange and green ball tennis explained.
More guides
Sources
- ITF Tennis10s: 10 and under tennis manual (stages, racket lengths and choosing a racket)
- LTA: tennis equipment for kids
- Tennis Australia Hot Shots: stages and recommended racquet sizes (club programme page)
This guide is general information for parents, not medical advice. Check with your child's coach or doctor about their own situation.