Young Athletes, Big Decisions: The Ultimate Guide to Selecting Kids’ Tennis Gear

Is your child showing love and interest in tennis? If they do, now it’s the time to get them into the sport. It might be their dream career and something they’ll enjoy doing for the rest of their life. To give them the best playing experience, you should first buy them the proper training gear and some accessories to help them along the way.

Tennis Racquet

Finding the right tennis racquet for your youngsters can be a tricky task. If you don’t know what you’re looking for you may end up buying the wrong size and have to spend money again. When the kids have the proper racquet, it’ll boost their confidence and give them a chance to improve with every new practice session. It’s also much safer for them when everything is right.

Always go for a reliable and sturdy tennis racquet for kids. The market is filled with amazing brands and manufacturers. Kids’ rackets are categorised by length, as opposed to adult ones, which are categorised by head size. As a general sizing measurement, these racquets are categorised by length. Every length corresponds with a certain age group.

But if the child is a lot taller or shorter than their peers, the age might not match the racquet’s length. For kids who are 8 years old or younger, you can start with a lightweight racquet. The size will vary between 45cm and 60cm. The younger the child, the shorter the racquet. They come pre-strung, and you should always choose based on their age. Skills don’t play a big role in this case.

For 9- and 10-year-olds the skill factor and experience level are something to consider. There are recreational and beginner models that are more suitable for beginner and not-so-experienced kids. However, there are performance-level ones for kids with more experience and skill. These racquets are usually 63cm long and are made of carbon fibre like the adult performance models.

For 11-year-olds and older a 65cm racquet will do a good job. Of course, skill and experience are factors you should consider. These racquets are heavier and will help your kid develop the skill and strength to transition to an adult frame when the time comes. If you’re not sure about the size, tell the kid to hold the racquet in their hands. If it just brushes the floor, you’re good to go. But, if it bumps against the ground, go a size down.

Balls

Nowadays, you can find tennis balls specifically designed for kids and younger players. In some cases, even beginner adults use them to develop their strokes. These junior balls are important for the kids to learn the game and become more experienced. They’re the perfect match for the lightweight racquets.

There’s less bouncing compared to adult tennis balls which makes playing with them more comfortable. Junior tennis balls come in three different levels, and as a reference, they are colour-coded. There may still be some optic yellow on the balls, but they have markings that are either red, orange, or green.

Red balls are large and have the lowest bouncing level compared to the others. They’re always made of either felt or foam. In general, they’re very suitable for kids up to the age of 8. For kids aged 9 and 10, orange balls will do the trick. They’re the same size as the red ones but can travel much more quickly. Green balls are for kids with more physical strength. They’re the same size as a standard tennis ball but aren’t that fast.

Shoes

Just like with the tennis racquet for kids, choosing the proper footwear for your little athlete is very important. It can affect their confidence and comfort which reflects on their performance and skill. The shoe’s grip can make a big difference. If the kid plays on a hard surface, get them an all-surface shoe. If they play on clay, buy them a special clay sole. This way they’ll have the perfect grip during practice.

Having a comfortable shoe means good cushioning. This will protect your kid’s joints and make them feel energetic. There will be lots of running around and footbreaking, so never compromise on this feature. The proper support will protect the ankles when there’s a sudden movement in different directions. And of course, look for high-quality materials that can withstand a lot of wear and tear.

There are some other recommendations you should follow because children’s feet are constantly changing and aren’t still completely developed. Look for a shoe with a rounded end for more movement. A centred heel will give the foot full support and reduce the pressure on the small toes. A raised forefoot is a good idea because it’ll prevent the kid from tripping.

Adequate Clothes

The clothes the kid wears, are just as important as the junior tennis racquet he/she plays with. They can either make the kid comfortable or nervous and irritated. Go for something comfortable, nothing too tight or too loose. It should be something in the middle, so it flows around your kid as they run, strike the ball or turn.

The material matters as well. Cotton is one of the most popular options because of its great properties. It’s a natural, breathable material with good moisture-wicking properties. A mix of spandex and cotton or polyester is also a good idea. These clothes will be elastic, easy to dry and lightweight.

In terms of colours, you have plenty of choices. This is where you can ask your child what their preferences are. Take them with you to the store and let them choose. It’s a good idea to stay away from dark colours because they attract heat. A black outfit will be tiresome for an adult, let alone a child. So, stick with lighter tones such as white, green, pink, yellow, blue etc.