Quick answer: choose a kids tennis racket by your child's height, not their age. Under about 110cm needs a 19-21 inch racket, 110-125cm a 23 inch, 125-140cm a 25 inch and 140-155cm a 26 inch. For most UK beginners a light, pre-strung aluminium racket at £15-£30, such as the Yonex Jr 23 or Wilson Slam Junior, is all you need.
Buying a kids tennis racket is harder than it looks: the same child can be three different sizes in three years, and a racket that is too long or heavy teaches bad habits fast. This guide covers how to size a kids tennis racket, what a 7 year old should use, how much to spend, and which in-stock junior rackets we recommend at Central Sports.
How to size a kids tennis racket
Junior rackets are sold by length in inches, because a growing child is limited by arm length and strength rather than swing style. Measure your child's height in bare feet and start here:
- Up to around 110cm: 19-21 inch racket, the smallest sizes for very young beginners.
- Around 110-125cm: 23 inch racket.
- Around 125-140cm: 25 inch racket.
- Around 140-155cm: 26 inch racket.
- Above around 155cm: many juniors move to a full-size 27 inch frame, usually a lightweight adult racket.
These bands are a starting point, not a rule. If a racket still feels long or heavy when your child swings it, drop down a size: control matters more than a "correct" number. Our tennis racket size guide includes an age-and-height chart and a quick 30-second test you can do at home.
What tennis racket should a 7 year old use?
Most 7 year olds are somewhere between 115cm and 130cm tall, which usually means a 23 inch racket, or a 25 inch if they are tall for their age. Five and six year olds starting out are normally best with a 19 or 21 inch racket, and many coaches use slightly larger sizes with children who have been playing a while. Because children vary so much, treat age as a rough hint and use height as the deciding factor.
At this age weight matters as much as length. Look for a racket around 195-210g for a 23 inch frame, and avoid anything that makes your child hold it with two hands for a forehand.
Best kids tennis racket for a beginner child
A beginner does not need a performance racket. The best kids tennis racket for a first-timer is:
- Aluminium: light, forgiving and tough enough to survive being dropped, thrown and left in the boot.
- Pre-strung: most junior rackets arrive pre-strung and ready to play.
- The right length: a size too big is the most common mistake we see.
- Cheap enough to replace: most children outgrow a size in 12-18 months.
Our club-style picks from Yonex, Wilson and Babolat all fit this description and cost under £30.
How much should you spend on a junior tennis racket?
Here is how UK junior racket prices break down at Central Sports at the time of writing:
- £15-£30, starter aluminium: the right choice for under-10s and anyone still deciding if they like tennis. Rackets like the Yonex Jr 19, Yonex Jr 23 and Wilson Slam Junior sit here.
- £40-£60, improving players: better balance and a bit more feel, common with children who play weekly and have started coaching.
- £75-£95, graphite performance: lighter, stiffer frames that mirror adult models, worth it for competitive juniors at 25 and 26 inch sizes.
Spending more on a 19, 21 or 23 inch racket rarely pays off, as they are outgrown quickly. Save the budget for the 25 and 26 inch stage, when technique starts to develop.
Match the racket to the ball stage
If your child plays through LTA-style Mini Tennis, the racket should match the ball stage: roughly red balls with 19-23 inch rackets, orange balls with 23-25 inch rackets and green balls with 25-26 inch rackets. Ask the coach which stage your child is at, then buy the racket size to match. Stock up on suitable junior tennis balls and a pair of junior tennis shoes at the same time, as grippy court shoes matter on a playground-sized court.
Signs it is time to size up
If your child is muscling the racket through the swing, struggling to get it back in time, or has clearly grown since the last one, move up a size. Most juniors need a new racket every year or two. A 19 inch racket handed down to a younger sibling is a great use of the first one, and a decent junior-friendly tennis bag keeps the whole family kit tidy.
Top Picks from Central Sports
Every racket below was in stock on centralsports.co.uk when this guide was last updated.
- Yonex Jr 19 2025 Junior Tennis Racket - Ocean Blue (£16.79): the lightest option, ideal for ages 4-6 on their first court.
- Yonex Jr 23 2025 Junior Tennis Racket - Ocean Blue (£22.09): the sweet spot for most 7-8 year olds around 115-130cm.
- Wilson Slam Junior 25 (£16.19): a very affordable first step up for 8-10 year olds.
- Babolat Carlitos Junior 25 2026 (£26.90): a stylish, lightweight racket with a Babolat feel for keen young players.
- Yonex Ezone Jr 26 Graphite (£89.90): a graphite performance frame for competitive juniors at the 26 inch stage.
Not sure which size to pick? Browse the full junior tennis rackets collection and filter by length, or see everything in the Central Sports shop.
Kids tennis racket FAQs
How do you size a tennis racket for a child?
Use your child's height. Roughly: up to 110cm is 19-21 inch, 110-125cm is 23 inch, 125-140cm is 25 inch and 140-155cm is 26 inch. If in doubt, go down a size.
What is the best tennis racket for children?
For beginners, a lightweight pre-strung aluminium racket in the right length, such as the Yonex Jr or Wilson Slam Junior ranges. More experienced juniors benefit from graphite frames like the Yonex Ezone Jr or Babolat Pure Aero Junior.
What tennis racket should a 7 year old use?
Usually a 23 inch racket, or 25 inch if your child is tall. Check height first, and choose a frame around 195-210g that they can swing with one hand.
Is it better to buy a bigger racket for a child to grow into?
No. An oversized racket is harder to control and encourages poor technique. Buy the correct size now and pass it down when your child grows.
Final word
The best kids tennis racket is the one your child can swing comfortably and control. Measure their height, pick the matching length, and keep the budget modest until they reach the 25 inch stage. Browse the junior tennis rackets at Central Sports with UK delivery and a range of sizes in stock.
