Gear and sizes
Get the size right before worrying about brands. Size rules come from governing bodies and official brand charts; the models listed are common choices, not paid picks.
Tennis racquet
Racquet length is matched to the player's stage/age (red, orange, green, full size).
| Age / level | Size / spec | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Red stage | 19–21 inch racquet.Tennis Canada progressive stages and equipment. | Rule |
| Orange stage | 23 inch racquet.Tennis Canada progressive stages and equipment. | Rule |
| Green stage | 23–25 inch racquet.Tennis Canada progressive stages and equipment. | Rule |
| Ages 2–4 (Wilson junior racket chart) | 17 or 19 inch racket.Wilson: junior rackets are sized by length; ages are averages, so size a taller or shorter child by height. | Rule |
| Ages 5–6 (Wilson junior racket chart) | 21 inch racket.Manufacturer guidance. | Rule |
| Ages 7–8 (Wilson junior racket chart) | 23 inch racket.Manufacturer guidance. | Rule |
| Ages 9–10 (Wilson junior racket chart) | 25 inch racket.Manufacturer guidance. | Rule |
| Ages 11+ (Wilson junior racket chart) | 26 inch racket.Manufacturer guidance. | Rule |
- WilsonUltra Power Jr 19 Tennis RacketAges 4 and under (Wilson), 19 in; pre-strungBrand page
- WilsonUltra Power Jr 23 Tennis RacketAges 7–8 (Wilson), 23 in; pre-strungBrand page
- WilsonUS Open Kids Tennis Racket19, 21, 23 and 25 inBrand page
- WilsonRoger Federer Kids Tennis Racket21, 23 and 25 inBrand page
Tennis balls (red / orange / green / yellow)
Progressive low-compression balls (red, orange, green) for younger players, then regular yellow balls.
| Age / level | Size / spec | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Red stage | Oversize high-density foam ball or red ball; court size proportional to the young player's size.Tennis Canada progressive stages and equipment. | Rule |
| Orange stage | Low-compression orange ball; full-court tennis rules apply.Tennis Canada lists U9 Advanced Tour events as orange court. | Rule |
| Green stage | Low-compression green ball (e.g. Wilson Easy Play); full-court tennis rules apply.Tennis Canada: the general goal is for young players to train and play on full-size courts with the green ball by age 9. U10 Kids events are green court. | Rule |
- WilsonUS Open Tournament Red 3 PackAges 10 and under; juniors using 19–23 in rackets (Wilson), Pack of 3 red ballsBrand page
- WilsonUS Open Orange Tournament 3 Ball Pack10-and-under play; juniors using 23–25 in rackets (Wilson), Pack of 3 orange ballsBrand page
- WilsonUS Open Green Tournament 3 Ball Can (24 Pack)10-and-under play; juniors and beginner adults using 25–27 in rackets (Wilson), Case of 24 cans x 3 ballsBrand page
Tennis shoes
Court shoes for hard or clay courts.
Tennis racquet
| Age / level | Size / spec | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Red stage (8 and under) | 19-21 inch racquetUsed with the red ball on a 1/4 court. Tennis Canada says the right length and weight help control and prevent injuries from oversized racquets. | Rule |
| Orange stage (9 and under) | 23 inch racquetUsed with the orange ball on a 3/4 court. | Rule |
| Green stage (10 and under) | 25-26 inch racquetUsed with the green ball on a full court. Tennis Canada's youth FAQ gives 23-25 inches for the green stage. | Rule |
| Teen and adult beginners (1.0-2.0 level) | 27 inch racquetTeens and adults use a full-length 27-inch racquet even when they start on red, orange or green courts. | Rule |
Kids outgrow gear fast, so it doesn't have to be new: used and sports gear stores across Canada · gear swaps
Parent gear reviews are coming: rate what you've used and say whether it runs big or small. Brands can't pay for placement; any future affiliate link will be clearly labelled next to it.