The Pro:
Jeff Rothstein is a member of
USPTA. He is also a
USTA High Performance QuickStart Trainer.
The Tip: Choosing an Appropriate Tennis Racquet Helps Children Ten & Under Succeed Faster
A key factor to enhance success for young tennis players is their ability to control the racquet. Specifically this means controlling the racquet length. Young players 10 and under have much less strength and shorter arms than adults, so it is logical that their racquet be sized shorter than an adult racquet (27 inches).
A good starting point to determine the correct junior racquet length is to hold the racquet on your side with your arm outstretched to the ground. The racquet should barely touch the ground. Many tennis clubs and tennis pro shops have demo racquets that the players can demo before making a purchase.
As a general guideline, children 10 and under should use the racquet lengths listed below. However, a player’s size, arm length, strength and coordination level should be considered.
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For children 3 – 4 years old, a racquet length of 19 inches should be appropriate.
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For children 5 – 8 years old, racquet lengths of 19, 21 or 23 inches should be considered.
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For children 9 – 10 years old, racquet lengths of 23 or 25 inches should be considered. In some cases, a 26 inch racquet may be appropriate for taller, stronger children.
A tennis racquet may be too long if a player makes any of these adjustments to gain greater leverage:
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The player chokes up on the handle more than 1 inch from the bottom of the grip
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The player finds it necessary to hit with two hands on forehands and backhands
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The racquet consistently twists in the player’s hand as they strike the ball
Most junior racquets 19 – 26 inches are made from a high strength metal alloy. They are strong, durable and light weight. A few 25 and 26 inch racquets are also offered in a graphite composite material. Graphite racquets offer more power and stability, but they are heavier and much pricier. These racquets are very suitable for players as long as the length is appropriate.
Having the right racquet length will allow you to control the racquet better, which is fundamental to learning. Your racquet is the most important piece of tennis equipment that you will need.