Understanding what is involved in buying the correct junior tennis racket for your child is an important first step in the selection of the right racket for the proper fit to your child’s age and body size.  To help ensure you get the best choice for your child, a variety of racket lengths are available.  The right tennis racket can make all the difference in the success of your child’s tennis game.

Racket Lengths

Junior tennis rackets are available in five lengths: 19, 21, 23, 25, and 26 inches.  This variety insures a proper fitting racket for every child.  The rule of thumb, using ages as a guide, is listed below; however, it is worth mentioning that each child is an individual and buying a junior tennis racket should also be individualized to your child rather than a generic guide.

• Ages 2 to 4: Rackets that are 21 inches
• Ages 5 to 7: Rackets that are 23 inches
• Ages 8-10: Rackets that are 25 inches
• Ages 10-12: Rackets that are 26 inches

Size and Durability

Parents will want to consider purchasing a junior tennis racket that their child will not outgrow relatively quickly.  If your child is growing at a fast pace, you might want to consider purchasing a racket in the next size up.  Parents will be glad to know that junior tennis rackets are typically made of a titanium alloy, which can prove very helpful as many kids who are first learning the game often tend to bang them around a bit and hit them on things.  Although, it should be noted, that many adults bang their rackets around as well, sometimes on purpose!

Weight and Grip

The weight of a junior tennis racket can range from 6 ounces to 9.5 ounces.  Typically, lighter-weight rackets are better suited for younger players, while slightly heavier rackets work best for older children.  Junior tennis rackets have only one grip, as opposed to varying grip sizes for adult players.  The grips on junior tennis rackets are sized to try to fit a child’s hand size at a particular age.

Choosing the right junior tennis racket for the age and size of your child will be immensely important as he/she begins to successfully navigate the game of tennis.