Choosing Your Childs Tennis Racket

Rackets for children come in all shapes, sizes and colours. While your child will be attracted by the colour of the racket, picture on the cover etc. Full size rackets for tennis are 27 inches long, but this is obviously smaller for children. The most important things you need to consider when buying a racket for your child are his/her playing level and height.

Playing Level

Tennis for children between 5-12 years of age is adapted to their capabilities. The ball, racket, court size and playing format are all changed to help the child learn to play the game early and easily. These changes are made up of a number of different development stages;

1) Micro Tennis – Co-ordination development
2) Mini Tennis – Learn to play over lower net in service box
3) Midi Tennis – Learn to play on three quarters of the full court
4) Maxi Tennis – Learn to play on the full court 
5) Full Court Tennis – Playing and using skills on the full court

Racket Length for each stage
Micro Tennis – racket no more than 19 inches
Mini Tennis – racket no more than 21 inches
Midi tennis – racket no more than 23 inches
Maxi tennis – racket no more than 26 inches
Full Court tennis – full size racket – 27 inches

Below is a table to calculate your child’s height and match up their required racket length. Note that the height reference is the minimum height required by the child for that racket length.

Child’s Height Racket Length in inches
 92 cm   19"
114 cm   21"
125 cm   23"
132 cm   25"
137 cm   26"
142 cm   27"

Bryan Stewart
Advanced Tennis Coach
Children’s Fitness Specialist