What are red, orange and green ball tennis, and what size court and racket do they use?
Rule- Great Britain
- LTA
- LTA Competition Regulations
- LTA Youth
- 8 and under
- 9 and under
- 10 and under
- Red, orange and green ball
- 2026
- Parents
They're the three stages of tennis for 10 and under, using slower balls and smaller courts. In LTA competitions, 8U plays red, 9U plays orange and 10U plays green. The court and ball specifications come from the ITF Rules of Tennis 2026 (Appendix VIII):
| Stage | Ball | Court | Net height (centre) | Recommended racket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red (up to 8) | Stage 3 red ball | 10.97 to 12.80 m long, 4.27 to 6.10 m wide | 0.800 to 0.838 m | Up to 23 in (58.4 cm) |
| Orange (8 to 10) | Stage 2 orange ball | 17.68 to 18.29 m long, 6.10 to 8.23 m wide | 0.800 to 0.914 m | 23 to 25 in (58.4 to 63.5 cm) |
| Green (advanced 9 to 10) | Stage 1 green ball | Full-size court | Standard | 25 to 26 in (63.5 to 66.0 cm) |
- Only these three ball types can be used in 10-and-under competition, and the organiser must choose an ITF-approved brand and name it in the competition information.
- Courts with red and orange lines marked on a full court can be used for matches.
- The ages are the ITF's recommendations. In LTA competitions the age group your child plays is set by their year of birth, not by the ball they use in coaching.
Added 21 Oct 2026