Junior Tennis Racket Sizing Guide: How to Pick the Right Racket
Choosing the right racket size is one of the most important equipment decisions for a young tennis player. A racket that's too big or too heavy can lead to bad habits, slow development, and even injury. Here's everything you need to know.
Racket Length by Age and Height
The general guideline for junior racket sizing is based on your child's height, not their age. Here's a quick reference:
19-inch racket: Ages 2-4, under 3'3" tall
21-inch racket: Ages 4-5, 3'3" to 3'7" tall
23-inch racket: Ages 6-7, 3'7" to 4'0" tall
25-inch racket: Ages 8-9, 4'0" to 4'6" tall
26-inch racket: Ages 9-11, 4'6" to 4'11" tall
27-inch racket (full size): Ages 11+, 5'0" and taller
The Floor Test
The simplest way to check if a racket is the right size: have your child stand up straight and hold the racket at their side with the tip pointing down. The racket head should just barely touch the floor. If the racket drags on the ground, it's too long. If there's a big gap, they might be ready for the next size up.
Weight Matters More Than You Think
A racket that's too heavy forces kids to use their whole arm to swing instead of developing proper wrist and forearm technique. Junior rackets should feel light and easy to swing. If your child is frequently dropping the racket head or struggling to get through a full swing, the racket is likely too heavy.
Grip Size
Junior rackets typically come in grip size 4 (4 inches). As your child grows and moves to a 26-inch or full-size racket, grip size becomes more important. The basic test: when gripping the racket with their dominant hand, there should be roughly a finger's width of space between their fingertips and the base of their palm.
When to Size Up
Don't rush to a bigger racket. Players develop better technique with a properly sized racket. Signs it's time to move up:
- The floor test shows a noticeable gap between the racket and floor
- Your child has grown 2+ inches since getting the current racket
- Their coach recommends moving up based on their stroke development
- They're consistently overpowering the smaller racket
When transitioning from a 26-inch to a full 27-inch racket, consider a lighter-weight adult racket (9-10 oz) rather than jumping to a heavy performance frame. The transition is a big one and lighter is better at first.
String Tension for Juniors
Most pre-strung junior rackets come with appropriate tension. Once your child is using a 26-inch or full-size racket and playing competitively, consider getting it strung at a pro shop. A common starting point for juniors is 50-55 pounds of tension with a durable synthetic gut string. Your child's coach or stringer can fine-tune from there.