Quick answer: junior rackets are sized by length rather than adult specs like head size and weight — the right size depends mainly on your child's height, not their age. Popular junior lines include the Wilson US Open/Roland Garros junior series, Babolat Ballfighter/Pure Aero Junior, Yonex EZONE Junior and Head Novak/Speed Junior.
Why junior rackets are sized differently
Adult rackets are described by weight, head size and balance. Junior rackets are primarily described by length (in inches), since a growing child's main limitation is arm length and strength rather than swing style. A too-long or too-heavy racket makes it hard to control the racket head and can develop poor technique early on.
Rough sizing guide by height
- Up to around 110cm: 19-21 inch rackets, the smallest junior sizes for very young beginners.
- Around 110-125cm: 23 inch rackets.
- Around 125-140cm: 25 inch rackets.
- Around 140-155cm: 26 inch rackets.
- Above around 155cm: many juniors move into a full-size 27 inch adult racket, often a lighter junior-specific or lightweight adult frame.
These are general guides rather than strict rules — a coach's recommendation based on your child's strength and comfort is worth more than height alone.
Popular junior racket lines
- Wilson junior series (US Open/Roland Garros): widely available across sizes, durable and beginner-friendly.
- Babolat Ballfighter / Pure Aero Junior: colourful, lightweight options that mirror Babolat's adult lines as kids grow.
- Yonex EZONE Junior: comfortable, well-balanced frames that scale up through the size range.
- Head Novak / Speed Junior: lightweight frames designed to build good habits early, with sizes tracking Head's adult Speed line.
Signs it's time to size up
If your child is having to muscle the racket through the swing, struggling to get the racket back in time, or has clearly grown since their last racket, it's likely time to move up a size. Most juniors need a new racket every year or two as they grow.
Our recommendation
Measure your child's height and use it as a starting guide, but don't be afraid to size down slightly if a recommended length still feels too heavy or long to control — good technique with an easier-to-control racket beats a nominally "correct" size that's a struggle to swing.