How to Choose a Kids Tennis Racket

Start your little tennis players off right with the correct sized racket.

Embarking on your child's tennis journey is an exciting adventure, and choosing the right tennis racket to start their training can be a game-changer. With so many options available, the task can seem daunting, but fear not! Wilson offers a range of youth tennis rackets that includes options for kids of all ages at every level of play.

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What size racket does my child need?

When choosing a tennis racket for your child, the number one concern is finding the correct size. Using a racket that's too big can put your kids at risk for injury, while a too-small racket can stall their progression.

Unlike adult rackets which are categorized by headsize (the surface area of the string bed), kids’ rackets are categorized by length. In general terms, each length corresponds with an age group; however, if your child is very tall or very short for their age, you will want to take that into account when selecting the correct racket size.

8 Years Old and Under

If your child is 8 year old or younger, you'll want to start with a lightweight racket made with young muscles in mind. The 19-inch tennis racket is meant for kids up to 4 years old. Kids ages 5-6 years old generally use 21-inch tennis rackets, and our 23-inch tennis rackets are intended for kids ages 7-8 years old.

These rackets all come pre-strung and are recommended based on age and height rather than skill level. Kids who are tall for their age may want to go up a size, and kids who are shorter will need a shorter racket.

9-10 Years Old

When choosing a racket for a 9 or 10-year-old, you will want to take skill level and on-court experience into account. Our 25-inch tennis rackets range from recreational and beginner tennis rackets to performance level youth rackets. Performance level 25-inch rackets, like Clash 25 v2 and Ultra 25 v4, are slightly heavier and meant for a more competitive junior player as they are made with the same performance carbon fiber as our full-size adult performance models.

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11+ Years Old

Kids ages 11 and up generally graduate to 26-inch rackets, though skill level and experience still play a part when determining which tennis racket is best for your child. Our 26-inch tennis rackets are slightly longer and therefore slightly heavier than the previous frames. They aim to help young players transition slowly and safely toward an eventual adult frame when their height warrants that move. Again, a competitive junior will want to look at our line of junior performance rackets, like the Clash 26 v2, Ultra 26 v4 and the Blade 26 v9.

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When should my child transition to an adult tennis racket?

There’s no exact formula that determines when it’s time for a junior player to transition from youth rackets to an adult racket, but choosing the correct first adult racket can be crucial. Wilson makes several UL (ultra light) models with this type of player in mind. These UL rackets are adult-sized but slightly lighter. Take a look at the Pro Staff 97UL v14, and Clash 100UL v2.

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Updated May 10, 2024