How to choose a junior tennis racket
TenisRaketi Editör Ekibi · Updated October 2026
Short answer
Choose a junior racket by height rather than age: 21" for 100–115 cm, 23" for 115–130 cm, 25" for 130–145 cm and 26" above 145 cm. Do not buy a longer racket to grow into; a shorter one helps children learn faster.
In this guide
Length is the most important measurement of a junior racket. The right length lets a child reach the ball comfortably and hit without straining the wrist. Age is a good starting point, but children of the same age can differ a lot in height, so use height as the guide.
Length chart
Racket length | Age (approx.) | Height |
|---|---|---|
19" (48 cm) | 4 and under | Under 100 cm |
21" (53 cm) | 4–6 | 100–115 cm |
23" (58 cm) | 6–8 | 115–130 cm |
25" (63 cm) | 8–10 | 130–145 cm |
26" (66 cm) | 10–12 | Over 145 cm |
27" (69 cm) | 12 and up | Adult racket |
The height test
Have the child stand straight in flat shoes. Ask them to hold the racket by the handle with the arm hanging down at their side. If the tip stays just above the ground, the length is right. If the tip touches the ground the racket is too long; if there is a big gap, it is too short.
Ball colours and rackets
Children start with slower balls. The ball colour changes together with the court and racket size.
- Red ball: The slowest and lightest ball, played on a small court. Usually ages 5–8 with 19"–23" rackets.
- Orange ball: Faster than red, played on a mid-size court. Usually ages 8–10 with 23"–25" rackets.
- Green ball: Played on a full court, slightly slower than an adult ball. Usually ages 9–12 with 25"–26" rackets.
The child's coach can tell you which ball they train with. Take it into account when choosing.
Do not buy a longer racket to grow into
A long racket is heavy, its tip hits the ground and the child strains the wrist to hit. That slows learning and raises the risk of injury. Junior rackets change every year or two, and that is normal. Passing the old racket to a sibling or friend, or selling it second-hand, is easy.
Material and weight
- Aluminium: Cheaper and durable. Enough for 19"–23" rackets.
- Graphite (carbon): Lighter with less vibration. Makes a difference for 25"–26" rackets and children who play several times a week.
Junior rackets are usually sold pre-strung in a single grip size, so you do not need to choose a grip size.
When to move to an adult racket
When the child handles a 26" racket comfortably, is taller than 150 cm and plays on a full court with green or yellow balls, it is time for an adult racket. Light rackets in the 255–285 g range make a good first adult racket.
In the Racket Finder, choose the child's age and height. As in this guide, height comes before age; if you don't know it, the finder goes by age. It puts the rackets of the right length from this chart first, and shows those one inch off with a note to do the height check.
Frequently asked questions
What size racket for a 6 year old?
Most 6 year olds suit a 21" or 23" racket. Choose 21" if they are under 115 cm and 23" if taller.
What size racket for an 8 year old?
Usually 23" or 25". If they are around 130 cm tall they can move to a 25" racket.
What size racket for a 10 year old?
Usually 25" or 26". A 26" racket suits them if they are taller than 145 cm.
Does a junior racket need to be expensive?
No. For young children a durable, pre-strung aluminium racket is enough. Moving to 25" and 26" graphite rackets makes more sense once the child plays regularly.