Best junior tennis racket selection guide

Selecting the right / best junior racket for youngsters 4 – 11 years old is very important because it will have a big impact on their learning of the correct technique as well as the avoidance of arm pain or even injuries. On the other hand, the selection of improper junior racket will delay the kid’s fast learning and will cause frustration which may result in quitting tennis. For those reasons, parents should always address to tennis shops that have a wide range of junior rackets from all well-known tennis brands such as Wilson, Babolat, Head etc. Both the length and the weight of junior tennis rackets should be in accordance with the youngsters’ height and level of play and only tennis professionals know these details in depth.

Junior rackets are divided in 3 main categories in relation to the kids’ level of play.

Beginner junior tennis racquets

These tennis racquets are ideal for juniors that either start their engagement with tennis or have been practicing for the past 1-2 years (1-2 practice sessions per week). In this category we find junior racquets that are made of aluminum, are light weighted and have a large head size. Lightweight racquets help kids easy handling and, thus fast learning the correct technique, while the large head size reduces the possibility of mishits. Beginner junior tennis racquets usually cost around 20€ - 40€ and you may see them at the following link: http://bit.ly/2vHRHST


Advanced junior tennis racquets

Junior tennis players are considered advanced if they have been playing tennis for the past 2 – 3 years and practice 2 – 4 times per week. They have played or are willing to play regional tournaments of average level. They know how to execute all main tennis strokes (forehand, backhand, serve and volleys), their level of technique is above average and have the ability to play shots either from just in front or from the baseline, with comfort. The ideal junior racquets for these youngsters are made from graphite and aluminum (composite), are light-weighted and have medium head size. Graphite is a premium element that helps the absorption of shock vibration during hitting the tennis ball. The advanced junior tennis racquets in this category usually cost from around 45€ - 75€ and you may see them at the following link: http://bit.ly/2OWM4XQ

 

Competition junior tennis racquets

Junior tennis players are considered as being at a competition level if they have been playing tennis 3 – 5 years, practice 3 – 5 times per week and have been participating in both regional and national junior tournaments for at least 1 – 2 years. They use all kinds of spin during practice and matches. They can execute all tennis strokes with comfort and know the basic tactics of tennis. The ideal tennis rackets for competition level junior players are made of graphite or other premium elements such as those used in adult rackets, have light to medium weight and medium head size. They usually cost from around 75€ - 120€ and you may see them at the following link: http://bit.ly/2SwHT7r

 

Junior tennis rackets are divided in 6 main categories in relation to the kids’ height.

Junior racket length 17” – ideal for junior tennis players 3 – 4 years old, height up to 95cm
Junior racket length 19” – ideal for junior tennis players 4-5 years old, height 95 cm – 1.05 m.
Junior racket length 21” – ideal for junior tennis players 5 – 6 years old, height 1.06 – 1.14 m.
Junior racket length 23” – for junior tennis players 6 – 7.5 years old, height 1.15 – 1.26 m.
Junior racket length 25” – for junior tennis players 7.5 – 9 years old, height 1.27 – 1.40 m.
Junior racket length 26” – for junior tennis players 9 – 11 years old, height 1.40 – 1.54 m.
Tennis racket length 27” (adult) – for juniors 12 years old or more and height 1.55 m or more.

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