Finding the best tennis racquet for advanced juniors can be a little tricky. If you've got the next Serena Williams or Nadal on your hands, you may need a more advanced racquet for your buddying super star.
When you do a basic search for “tennis racquets for juniors” online, you are going to be bombarded with options meant for solely beginners. These are often the cheapest and most popular racquets for this age group.
And for younger players that are new to the game, those racquets are just fine. But what if your child is already a fairly seasoned tennis player and you’re looking for their final racquet before moving onto a full-sized one?
I'm a former tennis player and have two young kids into tennis, so I've done a lot of research on the best tennis racquet for advanced juniors.
The five advanced tweener racquets below are meant for players who are about 11 years old or older and could be well on their way to big things in game of tennis.
Let's take a closer look at some of the world’s top tennis racquet brands and show you what they have to offer when it comes to their advanced junior versions.
Got a junior player that doesn't need the best of the best? Click here for the best junior racquets for any player.
Best Tennis Racquets For Advanced Juniors
#1
Wilson Clash 26" Junior Tennis Racquet
Lightweight 8.8 ounce graphite tennis racquet ideal for the beginner looking for more from their racquet. It's 100 sq inches and comes in a 16 x 19 string pattern. For those looking to customize, you can select over 10 different string color schemes.
#2
This graphite advanced junior racquet is designed to feel a little heady heavy and weighs in at 9.2 ounces strung. This racquet will add precise power to a younger player looking for more plough-through and is very budget friendly at under $100.
#3
Known as the pint the sized version of Novak Djokovic's racquet this 100 sq inch racquet has all the same attributes the "Speed" series offers for adults; namely control and touch. If you've got an advanced junior tennis player looking to add pin point accuracy to their game, this is the best tennis racquet for your advanced junior.
#4
This HEAD junior racquet comes in with a heavier strung weight of 9.0 ounces and is slightly head heavy. Made from HEAD's patented "graphene" graphite, the 360 Extreme is made for advanced junior players that want to incorporate more advanced shots with spin and power.
#5
The final racquet on my list, also a graphite HEAD racquet is the heaviest on the list with an unstrung weight of 9.0 ounces. The HEAD Gravity 360+ represents the latest in HEAD's racquet technology and is designed for stability and power.
What Is An Advanced Junior Tennis Racquet?
You might be wondering - what is the difference between a standard junior racquet and an advanced junior racket? Does it really matter, especially when a standard junior racket is generally much cheaper?
Well, there’s a reason for that. Although there is a variety of racquets out there that are fantastic for children who are just starting, that’s also exactly what they’re meant for: children who are just starting.
They are often incredibly light and made of aluminum which is fine for young kids who wouldn’t be able to control a heavier racquet. They are also equipped with only basic features and do not resemble a standard-sized racquet at all.
Nor do they give you any of the features and benefits.
An advanced junior tennis racquet is often just a slightly smaller version of the types used by tennis professionals worldwide and contains all of the same technology and features.
They are also made of the same materials, primarily graphite or composite. They are not made of aluminum like beginner racquets.
Most top brands sell cheap beginner versions as well as more expensive but advanced versions for the budding junior player. If your child has already been playing tennis for years and you feel they are nearly confident enough to move onto a standard-sized, professional quality tennis racquet, buying an advanced junior racquet is the next step.
They get the experience of a professional quality tennis racquet that’s the right weight and length for them. The perfect tweener racquet.
The 5 Best Tennis Racquets for Advanced Juniors
The following five racquets represent my top picks for the best tennis racquet for advanced juniors.
However, even though I had them ranked, they are ALL great choices for kids getting really good at tennis. It's hard to say one is without a doubt better than another.
Why? Because they are all excellent choices, and each has its own benefits when it comes to making the transition from beginner racquet into advanced junior.
Plus, in terms of the most affordable pick, these racquets are all close in price.
Of course, while all of these racquets are great, it’s best to have your child hold and feel each one so they can be part of the decision-making process and help decide what’s best for them.
After all, they’re going to be using it regularly, so they need to make sure they feel as comfortable as possible.
Wilson Clash 26" Junior Tennis Racquet
When you consider the best racquets for advanced juniors, the Clash 26" Junior Racquet by Wilson is certainly one of the best.
Wilson is known for being a top-quality brand and has been making world-class tennis racquets for many years.
The Clash 26 is inspired by the innovative Wilson Clash, said to “offer a playing experience unlike anything on the market today.”
In short, this junior racquet is meant to take their game to the next level. It’s made of graphite instead of aluminum, a key feature as most racquets meant for younger kids are made of aluminum. Graphite racquets are strong while still being lightweight. They provide exceptional power, control, and feel for the ball, and are great for beginner to advanced players alike.
With a style based on the innovative Wilson Clash, the Clash 26 benefits the rising tennis star who wants to take their game to the next level. The 16x19 string pattern is ideal for generating topspin and power.
With its lightweight design, this racquet is easy to use and maneuver. The shorter 26" length is ideal for kids ages 11 and older, falling just three inches short of the standard 29” for adult-sized racquets.
Wilson Clash 26" Junior Specifications
The Pure Aero Junior by Babolat is widely known as one of the best for the up-and-coming young tennis professionals. This 26-inch racket was created in the image of Rafael Nadal’s racquet and equipped with the same technologies: Aeromodular2 and FSI Spin.
The combination of these allows for maximum spin production and is ideal for players looking for power and topspin.
Babolat is an incredibly popular tennis brand that originated in France and is known worldwide for its quality strings and tennis racquets. It’s also used by several professional players, including not just Nadal, but also Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Ryan Harrison, and Albert Ramos Vinolas.
The Babolat Pure Aero Junior is a perfect choice for children 11 years and up who are looking to play in a more aggressive and competitive environment. It can help your child reach their full potential.
What should you watch out for with this racquet? Well, the head size may seem overly large. Because the handle of this racquet is on the smaller side, it may seem challenging or aggravating for children who prefer faster and more controlled movement, or for those who prefer using double-handed moves.
Babolat Pure Aero Junior Specifications
This is a junior version of the incredibly popular HEAD Graphene Touch Speed Pro, which is an elite level tennis racquet. Specifically, this is a junior version of Novak Djokovic's racquet.
The HEAD Graphene Touch Speed Junior is lighter than the adult series, with a length of 26” instead of the standard 27”, which makes it easier for smaller hands to swing and handle.
The HEAD tennis brand was founded in 1950 and provides some of the highest quality tennis racquets in the world, so you can be sure that your child is getting a well-made racquet to continue honing their skills. This one has been used by famous tennis players Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, which adds to its credibility.
The Touch Speed Junior has all of the same benefits as its adult counterpart in terms of optimized control, as well as the innovative Graphene Touch technology.
This technology was designed to stabilize the Yoke area of the racquet for a more precise, faster hit with more power behind it, shifting the weight to where you need it to improve your game.
Its 16x19 string pattern also optimizes spin potential, making this racquet perfect for the advanced junior tennis star.
Head Graphene Touch Speed Junior 26" Specifications
Next up, we have another advanced racquet by HEAD. The HEAD Graphene 360 Extreme 26 Junior Tennis Racquet has the same technology as the adult version (endorsed by Richard Gasquet) but condensed down from a standard 27-inch frame to a 26-inch frame.
While the Head Graphene Touch Speed Junior 26" features HEAD’s Graphene Touch technology, it also features Graphene 360 for even more stability and control. This racquet delivers more comfort and feels more solid at contact.
Advanced juniors looking to increase spin and power in their game are going to love the Graphene 360 Extreme Junior. The 16x19 string pattern makes this racquet incredibly friendly and the wider frame design boosts power and absorbs vibrations.
Not only does the Graphene 360 technology provide stability and control but it also allows young players to add depth to their shots.
This racquet is made for a serious tennis player and is ideal for children 11 years or older who are looking to start their transition into an adult-sized racquet.
HEAD Graphene 360 Extreme 26 Junior Tennis Racquet Specifications
Last but not least, we have another junior racquet by world-famous tennis brand HEAD: the Gravity 360+ Junior.
This is lighter and shorter than the adult version, which is recommended by a world-famous tennis player, Alexander Zverev. This racquet feels unlike anything else in the lineup and offers an impressive balance of stability, control, and feel.
This one is made for the serious up-and-coming junior player and has an ideal length of 26 inches for players 11 years and older.
Similar to the HEAD Graphene 360 Extreme 26 Junior racquet, the Head Gravity 360+ is integrated with Graphene 360 technology, which offers stability, control, enhanced flex, and a clean impact feel.
The 16x19 string pattern offers exceptional spin and the same visual design features as the one used by Alexander Zverev. When it comes to choosing a performance racquet for your advanced junior player, it’s hard to go wrong with this top-quality racquet.
Head Gravity 360+ Junior 26" Specifications
Best Tennis Racquet For Advanced Juniors - Final Thoughts
And there you have it: our top five best tennis racquets for advanced juniors!
When it comes to selecting a junior tennis racquet, you need to pay close attention to the length, weight, and size, as well as what the racquet is made for.
Is it meant for the player who is just starting and will quickly move onto the next once they’ve worn this one out? Or is it made to last, equipped with the same technology as its full-sized counterpart?
When it comes to selecting a racquet for your mini-pro, it’s important to choose one that gives them the best idea of what they can expect from a full-sized racquet. This helps them hone their tennis skills and build the confidence to graduate to a standard racquet when the time comes.
Plus, it’s kind of cool when your child uses a slightly smaller version of the standard-sized, professional-quality racquet that their favorite tennis player uses. If they’re going to play like a pro, they may as well feel like one.
