How young can children start playing tennis?

Children can begin to develop the skills necessary to play tennis during infancy as they develop agility, balance and coordination. Playing tennis, however, requires complex motor skills involving movement, tracking and timing. Children will do best when introduced to tennis after they have learned to throw and catch a ball, so that all activities associated with sending and receiving a ball are beneficial and develop the foundation for successful rallying skills.

What size racquet should my child use?

Children should be able to swing and maneuver a racquet without it controlling them. When standing straight with arms at their side, the racquet length should be from the floor to the end of the fingertips.

When can my child start competing?

Age-appropriate competition using simple games, contests, and rally and skill challenges are a good starting point for kids ages 5-8. These can be done on teams or as individuals, but results should not be documented nor rankings established. The focus should be on fun and development in a competitive environment. Documented results tend to discourage skill development and eliminate late developers.

How can I help my child practice?

Tennis is a rally game, so the more your child has an opportunity to rally, the faster he or she will develop. Set up a home court on the driveway, cul-de-sac, street, parking lot or playground, and rally with your child—just like playing catch or shooting baskets. And remember to keep your instruction to a minimum and have fun playing with your child.