Getting started
What age should a child start tennis?
Most children can start tennis at about 4 to 6. Federation programmes take children from 3 or 4 with movement games, and red ball tennis is built for ages 5 to 8. Under 6, the American Academy of Pediatrics favours lots of free play over organised sport, so keep early tennis short and playful. And it is never too late: older beginners start at red too.
What age can children start?
Tennis federations start children young, with programmes built for their age:
| Ages | Programme |
|---|---|
| 3 to 5 | Tennis Australia Hot Shots Blue: running, jumping and striking games, with a short racket and a red ball |
| 4 to 11 | LTA Youth Start: six beginner sessions with a coach, racket and balls included |
| 5 to 8 | Tennis Australia Hot Shots Red: first tennis skills and simple rallies on a small court |
| Up to 8 | ITF red stage: serving, rallying and scoring on a small court, and where older beginners start too |
The LTA's message to parents is that any age is a great age to start. What changes with age is what tennis looks like.
Tennis for 3 and 4 year olds
At this age, tennis is mostly movement and ball games. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends plenty of daily free play for children under 6, such as running, leaping and climbing, before organised sport. Tennis Australia's youngest stage works the same way, with running, jumping and striking games rather than strokes.
At home, that means balloon taps, rolling and catching a big ball, and chasing games. See 10 tennis drills kids can do at home for ideas that work in a small space.
Tennis for 5 to 8 year olds
This is when most children start properly. The AAP says most children are ready for organised sport at about 6, and red ball tennis is built for exactly this age: a big, slow ball, a small court and a short racket, so children can serve, rally and score from their first lessons. See red ball tennis drills and games for what that looks like.
Is it too late at 8, 9 or 10?
No. The ITF notes that older beginners can start at red, and that children who start later may play orange until 10 or 11. The steps are the same, and a coach will move them up when they are ready. See red, orange and green ball tennis explained.
Signs your child is ready
- The interest comes from them. The AAP puts it simply: the interest should start with the child, not the parent.
- They enjoy ball games, such as catching, throwing and chasing a ball.
- They can manage a short group session, taking turns and following a simple game.
A short beginner course, such as the LTA's six sessions, is a low-pressure way to find out. If it does not click yet, try again in six months.
Should they only play tennis?
No. The AAP encourages children to try a range of sports and stick with the ones they enjoy, and research on young athletes links specialising in one sport before about age 12 with more injury and burnout.
How to get started
- Find a beginner programme at a local club, such as LTA Youth Start in the UK, Hot Shots in Australia or Net Generation in the US.
- Get a racket that fits. See what size tennis racket does my child need?
- Use red balls, foam indoors or felt outdoors, not yellow ones.
- Play a little at home. A few minutes of games between lessons is plenty. See how much should a young child practise tennis?
- Keep it fun. Praise effort, keep sessions short, and stop while they still want more.
More guides
Sources
- Tennis Australia: about Hot Shots (Blue, Red, Orange and Green stages)
- LTA Youth Start
- ITF Tennis10s: 10 and under tennis manual (the red stage and older beginners)
- Logan and Cuff (2019). Organized sports for children, preadolescents, and adolescents. American Academy of Pediatrics clinical report, Pediatrics, 143(6), e20190997
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: AAP encourages organized sports for the fun of it (2019)
- Jayanthi et al. 2015, sports specialisation and overuse injury in young athletes
- American Academy of Pediatrics 2024, overuse injuries, overtraining and burnout
This guide is general information for parents, not medical advice. Check with your child's coach or doctor about their own situation.