Give a child a racket that's too big and they'll develop bad habits and lose interest. Junior tennis rackets are sized by length in inches, matched to age and height. Here's the guide.
Junior racket size chart (by age)
- Age 3–4: 19 inch
- Age 4–5: 21 inch
- Age 6–8: 23 inch
- Age 8–10: 25 inch
- Age 9–11: 26 inch
- Age 10+ / height over ~145cm: move to a 27 inch adult racket (lightest models)
Use height as the real check. Age is a guide; height is more accurate. Stand the child upright with the racket held down at their side — the tip should sit just above the floor without them stretching or the racket dragging.
Why size matters. A correctly sized racket lets a child swing freely with proper technique. Too long or heavy and they'll choke up the handle, muscle the ball, and struggle to develop a real swing.
Weight matters too. Junior rackets are light by design. When stepping up to a 27" adult frame, choose the lightest options (around 260–270g) so the transition isn't a shock.
When to size up. Kids grow fast — check the fit each season. It's better to size up promptly than to leave them fighting a racket that's now too short.
Browse junior tennis rackets at Central Tennis, and see our tennis kit essentials guide for everything else a young player needs.
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