If your son or daughter is a beginner or a competitive junior player, then choosing the right tennis racket is important to their development and enjoyment of the game. This guide will help you make an informed decision.
Why Racket Size Matters
Choosing the right racket size is important for your child's safety and how much they enjoy the game. A racket that’s the right size will help them swing easily, have fun, and lower the chance of injury. While it's important not to choose a racket that is too big and heavy, using one that’s too small can also slow down their progress by making it harder to hit the ball well.
The goal is to find a racket that helps your child develop good skills while having a great time playing.
Junior Racket Size Recommendations
Here is a simple table to help you choose the right racket size based on your child’s age and height:
Age | Height | Racquet Length |
4 years or younger | 40 inches or shorter | 19 inches |
4-5 years | 40-44 inches | 21 inches |
6-8 years | 45-49 inches | 23 inches |
9-10 years | 50-55 inches | 25 inches |
10 or older | 55 inches or taller | 26 inches |
These sizes follow recommendations from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and other experts. Most kids under 8 years old use 19, 21, and 23-inch rackets. For 9 to 10 year-olds, 23 and 25-inch rackets are the best choice. Kids over 10 who are moving to full-court tennis usually need a 26-inch racket.
For comparison, adult rackets are usually 27-28 inches long.
How to Test If a Racket Fits
Here’s a simple test to check if a racket is the right size: Have your child stand straight and hold the racket by their side with the head pointing down. If the racket touches the floor lightly, it’s the right size. If it drags on the ground, it’s too big. If it doesn’t reach the floor, it’s too small. This test helps you choose a racket that fits their height and strength.
Mountain View’s Pro Shop can help guide you to the right size and model for your child, offering a selection of junior rackets that fit their age and skill level.
Transitioning to an Adult Racket
There’s no exact rule for when a child should move to an adult-sized racket, but choosing the first adult racket carefully is important. Lighter rackets, like Wilson’s Ultra Light series, can help kids make the change more easily, giving them enough control and power without being too heavy.
As your child grows, you may need to adjust their racket size to match their height, strength, and skill level. If your child is much taller or shorter than other kids their age, you might need to go up or down a racket size sooner.
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