Mini Tennis Buying Guide
What is Mini Tennis, and why does it use different equipment?
Due to the size of the court, racket and net, tennis can be very difficult for younger players.
That's where Mini Tennis comes in. It's just like a real game of tennis, but uses smaller courts, nets and rackets, and lower-bounce balls, which makes rallies achievable and serves as a fun entry point into tennis for younger players.
Rather than one fixed format, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) splits Mini Tennis into three stages, and each one changes the court size, ball, racket length - increasing as players get older and grow. Using the correct equipment is important - a net that's too high, or a ball that bounces too fast, can make the difference between a child enjoying their first few sessions or giving up on them.
What are the three stages of Mini Tennis?
Red ball is for players aged 8 and under. It's played on a court measuring 11m x 5.5m, but it’s also fine to use badminton court lines. Our combination badminton and mini tennis posts help here - allowing both sports to be played using the same equipment. In Red ball Mini Tennis, the net height should be set to 80cm high at the centre. Players use short rackets. Sponge balls are generally used indoors, with a softer felt ball for outdoor play.
Orange ball follows on for slightly older children, aged 8 and 9. Orange ball Mini Tennis is played on a singles court of 18m x 6.5m, with a doubles court extending to 18m x 8.23m (the same width as a singles tennis court). The net height stays the same as red ball (80cm at the centre), but the orange ball is firmer than red balls. Players use slightly longer rackets.
Green ball is the final step before full-size tennis. It's played on a full tennis court, for both singles and doubles, and the net finally reaches full height, at 91cm. The ball used is firmer than orange balls but still slightly softer than a standard yellow tennis ball. Players use a longer racket. After green ball Mini Tennis, players would move to the standard adult game.
Do I need a different net for each stage, or will one net work for all 3?
Red and Orange ball Mini Tennis use the same 80cm net height, so a single 0.86m mini tennis net and matching posts will cover both of these stages. This is useful for clubs and schools running mixed-age sessions, since the equipment doesn't need to change between groups. Green ball, however, uses a standard tennis net (91cm at the centre) and posts, as you would for adult play.
Can I use my existing badminton posts for Mini Tennis?
It depends on the posts. Several of our combination posts are built specifically to switch between the two sports, with a cleat at 860mm to accept a mini tennis net alongside the standard badminton fitting. This is a useful option for schools and clubs working with limited storage, budget or court space, since one set of posts then serves badminton and Mini Tennis Red/Orange without needing a separate piece of equipment for each.
What about inclusive and mixed-ability play?
Mini Tennis is also widely used for inclusive formats, bringing SEND and non-SEND players together on equal terms. Inclusive Mini Tennis Red is played on a badminton-sized court using mini tennis rackets and sponge balls, with simplified scoring and rules designed so players of different abilities can compete fairly within the same match. Adjustments such as widening or narrowing the court, lowering the net, or allowing extra bounces are all built into the format.