Start with length, not looks
A racket that is too long makes the swing late and the elbow sore. Stand your child up straight with arms by their side. The tip of the racket should reach the fingertips without touching the floor. If it touches the floor, it is too long.
Shops often sell an adult racket to a child who will grow into it. They will grow into bad habits first. Buy the right length now and plan to change it every two years.
Use this size guide
Our coaches use this chart on the first day of Little Crowns and Mini Crowns. Height matters more than age, so check both.
| Age | Height | Racket length | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 to 5 | under 110 cm | 19 inches | Red |
| 6 to 7 | 110 to 125 cm | 21 inches | Red |
| 8 to 9 | 125 to 140 cm | 23 inches | Orange |
| 10 to 11 | 140 to 150 cm | 25 inches | Green |
| 12 and up | over 150 cm | 26 or 27 inches | Yellow |
Grip size and weight
Junior rackets come with small grips already. If the handle feels thin, add an overgrip for ₦1,500 instead of buying a bigger frame. Lighter is better for children: aluminium junior frames are fine until about age 9, then a graphite frame helps.
What to pay
In Abuja, a good aluminium junior racket costs ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 and a graphite junior frame ₦40,000 to ₦75,000. Avoid the cheapest sets with two rackets and a ball in a bag: the strings are loose and the balls do not bounce.
Borrow first
Juniors borrow rackets free for the first month at Crown Courts. Coaches will tell you the right size before you buy, and you can ask the desk for a recommendation.
Buy for the child you have today, not the one you will have in three years.