Tennis Racket Size Guide
What size tennis racket should I get? This is a question asked by all budding athletes when beginning their relationship with the sport, but the answer is not always as straightforward as it should seem. Unlike with other sports such as cricket, the way tennis rackets are sized and strung is not entirely focused on age and height, with the options varying between multiple factors, including competency levels.
With this blog, we’ve created a guide covering tennis racket handle size, grip size, and head size to give you a better idea of what racket you should go for if you’re just starting out.
What Size Is a Junior Tennis Racket?
If you’re looking to get your son or daughter on the courts from a young age, picking them the right racket is essential for them having the most fun and making the most progress.
For children between around four and ten years old, a racket with a length somewhere between 19-26” or around 48-66 cm will be a safe bet, with their height also playing a large part in the purchase. One school of thought encourages that anyone can tell when a racket is right for them by standing it next to their playing hand, handle up. If the child can comfortably hold the end of the racket with their fingers without leaning over then it’s probably the right size.
Once they reach an age, height, or competency to use a full-sized racket, there are a number of other factors that come into play.
Adult Tennis Racket Size
The general length of an adult-sized tennis racket comes in at 27” or 68.5 cm, while longer options are available on the market. But choosing tennis racket size is about much more than just the length of the racket itself, with grip size, head size, and weight distribution all coming into play.
Tennis Racket Grip Size
When it comes to choosing the right grip size there’s some science involved in getting it perfect. The grip itself is measured by more than just the length of the handle, with the measurement being taken from the circumference around the handle. Most children’s rackets come with a 0 grip size, meaning they have a circumference of around 4” or 10.2 cm.
Adult grip sizes range between 1-6, relevant to the size of the player’s hands, however, most brands will generally only stock between sizes 0-5. Sizes 1-3 are most common amongst female players, while sizes 3-5 are more common amongst men, with size 3 being the median between both genders. The best way to determine what grip is right for you is to get out there and feel some for yourself, while there are more exacting methods such as those described in this article by Tennis Companion.
Tennis Racket Head Size
The size of your racket’s head is another thing that will greatly impact your performance, with there being four main sizes to choose from in adult rackets: midsize, mid-plus, and oversized. Each of these sizes has its own strengths and weaknesses, which are important to know before you make your purchase.
- Midsize: These heads measure at around 85-97 square inches, or 216-246 cm², and provide a greater level of control to players.
- Mid-Plus: With heads of around 98-104 in², or 249-264 cm², these are a more balanced option.
- Oversized: These heads come in at around 105 in²+, or 266 cm²+, and provide players with a greater sweet spot in terms of hitting potential, generating more power for them.
Professionals and experienced players tend to lean more towards the midsized or mid-plus racket heads, as they allow for more autonomy and accuracy in swinging during play. Beginners can benefit from using wider oversized heads, as they generate more power naturally and offer a wider surface area to hit the ball with, if sacrificing some speed and accuracy.
Tennis Racket Weight
When it comes to deciding how heavy your tennis racket should be, the logic is similar to that of head size. Top heavy rackets allow for more power to be generated with less effort, while lighter heads with heavier handles provide a more accurate tool for players to utilise. Professionals and experienced players tend to choose more balanced rackets, to retain the most overall control.
Tennis Racket Size Chart(s)
With so mant variables, one singular chart is not enough to cover all the bases with tennis rackets, so we’ve put together a couple that sum things up for different aspects of purchasing.
Below is a chart for deciding on the proper racket length in relation to age and height.
|
Age |
Height |
Racket Length |
|
0-3 |
3’-3’6” or up 105 cm |
19” or 48 cm |
|
4-6 |
3’7”-3’10” or 105-118 cm |
21” or 53 cm |
|
7-8 |
3’11”-4’5” or 118-135 cm |
23” or 58 cm |
|
9-10 |
4’6”-4’11” or 135-150 cm |
25” or 63.5 cm |
|
11-12 |
4’6”-4’11” or 135-150 cm |
26” or 66 cm |
|
12+ (adult) |
5ft+ or 152 cm+ |
27” or 68.5 cm |
Next we have a grip size chart
|
US Size (Inches) |
European Size |
MM Size |
|
4 |
0 |
100-103 |
|
4 ⅛ |
1 |
103-106 |
|
4 ¼ |
2 |
106-110 |
|
4 ⅜ |
3 |
110-113 |
|
4 ½ |
4 |
113-118 |
|
4 ⅝ |
5 |
118-120 |
|
4 ¾ |
6 |
120-123 |
Finally we have a chart covering the three main head sizes
|
Size (name) |
Size (inches & cm squared) |
Advantage |
Disadvantage |
|
Midsize |
85-97”²or 216-246 cm² |
Higher accuracy and speed |
Less power |
|
Mid-Plus |
98-104 in², or 249-264 cm² |
Medium |
Medium |
|
Oversized |
105 in²+, or 266 cm²+, |
Higher power/larger surface area for connection |
Less accuracy |
Final Thoughts
So how do you know what tennis racket to buy? You can do some calculations and consider your competency, but you won’t really know until you get out there and play. Check out our range of tennis rackets at Mill Sports to find the one that suits you best, and happy rallying.