10 and Under Tennis
Advantage: Kids
10 and Under Tennis using the QuickStart Tennis play format allows kids to rally and play real tennis shortly after picking up a racquet for the first time. And for the first time, kids can fall in love with tennis right away – a love that can last a lifetime. And that's not just an advantage, it's a real gift.
Why "10 and Under Tennis" instead of "QuickStart Tennis"?
When the USTA launched the QuickStart Tennis Play Format in 2008, we chose the name QuickStart to convey that this new play format was a quick and easy way for kids to start playing tennis. After a few years of experience and feedback, we've discovered the following:
- For parents with young kids who already play tennis, the "QuickStart" name could have a negative connotation - that it's not "real" tennis or refers to just beginner tennis.
- Whether a 10 and under player is a beginner or an advanced player, they should be playing on smaller courts with lower-bouncing, slower-moving balls and lighter, shorter racquets. These specifications will help kids at all levels improve their skill development.
- QuickStart Tennis refers to a play format that can be used by anyone at any age to learn tennis more quickly - whether they are 6 years old, 12 years old or 70 years old. QuickStart Tennis is not a brand name that denotes "tennis for kids".
With the 2012 rule change for kids 10 and under requiring tournament play on smaller courts with lower-bouncing, slower-moving balls and lighter, shorter racquets, it was an opportune time to change the name for this audience. Listening to your feedback, we decided on the name "10 and Under Tennis" to leverage the promotion of the rule change and to position this as "real tennis" for all kids under 10, whether they are beginners or advanced players.