Tennis for ages 10 and under

Which requirements are compulsory?

Only Stage 3 red, Stage 2 orange and Stage 1 green balls may be used in competition for ages 10 and under. The other ball types in Appendix I are not permitted for this age category.

The ordinary full-sized court remains an option. The red and orange court dimensions below are additional permitted options. The stated combinations of age, court and racket are recommendations, rather than additional mandatory age divisions.

Red and orange courts

• A red court is 10.97–12.80 m (36–42 ft) long and 4.27–6.10 m (14–20 ft) wide. The net is 0.800–0.838 m (31.5–33.0 in) high at the centre.
• An orange court is 17.68–18.29 m (58–60 ft) long and 6.10–8.23 m (20–27 ft) wide. The net is 0.800–0.914 m (31.5–36.0 in) high at the centre.

Recommended progression

• Stage 3 red balls are recommended on a red court for players up to age 8, using a racket no longer than 58.4 cm (23 in).
• Stage 2 orange balls are recommended on an orange court for players aged 8–10, using a racket 58.4–63.5 cm (23–25 in) long.
• Stage 1 green balls are recommended on a full-sized court for advanced players aged 9–10, using a racket 63.5–66.0 cm (25–26 in) long.

Stage 3 red foam ball specifications

• The mass must be 25.0–43.0 g (0.882–1.517 oz).
• The diameter must be 8.00–9.00 cm (3.15–3.54 in).
• The rebound must be 85–105 cm (33–41 in).
• Any colour is permitted. No forward-deformation value is specified for this type.

Stage 3 red standard ball specifications

• The mass must be 36.0–49.0 g (1.270–1.728 oz).
• The diameter must be 7.00–8.00 cm (2.76–3.15 in).
• The rebound must be 90–105 cm (35–41 in).
• The ball must be red and yellow, or yellow with a red dot. No forward-deformation value is specified for this type.

Stage 2 orange standard ball specifications

• The mass must be 36.0–46.9 g (1.270–1.654 oz).
• The diameter must be 6.00–6.86 cm (2.36–2.70 in).
• The rebound must be 105–120 cm (41–47 in).
• Forward deformation must be 1.40–1.65 cm (0.551–0.650 in).
• The ball must be orange and yellow, or yellow with an orange dot.

Stage 1 green standard ball specifications

• The mass must be 47.0–51.5 g (1.658–1.817 oz).
• The diameter must be 6.30–6.86 cm (2.48–2.70 in).
• The rebound must be 120–135 cm (47–53 in).
• Forward deformation must be 0.80–1.05 cm (0.315–0.413 in).
• The ball must be yellow with a green dot.

How the ball criteria are measured

For deformation, take 1 reading along each of 3 perpendicular axes and use their average. There is no limit on the difference between the individual forward-deformation readings, and no return-deformation specification is given. Coloured dots must have a reasonable size and placement.

Rebound, mass, size, deformation and durability tests must follow the regulations in the current ITF Approved Tennis Balls, Classified Surfaces & Recognised Courts publication. The supplied rules provide the limits above but do not reproduce that publication’s complete laboratory methods.

Scoring and timed matches

Competitions using these red, orange or green balls may use the scoring methods in the Rules of Tennis, including the alternatives in Appendix VI. They may also use shorter formats: 1 match tie-break, best of 3 tie-breaks or match tie-breaks, 1 short set, or 1 regular set.

The tournament committee may set a specific time limit for matches in an event for ages 10 and under.