Can my child play international or ranked tournaments before age 12?

The ITF limits competition for young children (2026 ITF Junior Regulations, Appendix G):

• No international or regional 9 and under, 10 and under or 11 and under individual or team competitions. Only festival-type regional activities are allowed, for children who have turned 9.
• Under 10s can't enter any international individual tournament, team competition or games, whether sanctioned by a regional association, a national association or another body.
• 12 and under events: children can play from the year they turn 10 (once they've had their 10th birthday by the start of the singles main draw) until the year they turn 12, and may play no more than ten ITF or regionally sanctioned 12 and under tournaments a calendar year.
• No international or regional rankings for 12 and under players, and no "World Champion" titles at 12 and under.

Local club and school red, orange and green ball competitions are not international events, so these limits don't stop your child playing them.