Babolat released the Carlitos Junior collection earlier this year, a complete line of junior racquets designed simply for the reason that young players should use proper racquets and gear suited for their age and game. The equipment should be engineered specifically for their bodies, technique development and also motivation. Inspired by Carlos Alcaraz’s signature Pure Aero design, this line offers five frame sizes covering players aged approximately 4 to 13 years old.
Carlitos Junior
Babolat has done junior-specific equipment in the past but the Carlitos Junior collection extends the philosophy: each racquet in the lineup is tailored to specific height ranges, grip sizes and developmental stages rather than simply offering a “junior” option.
The Complete Size Lineup
Carlitos Junior 19 – Ages 4-6 (95-110 cm tall) The smallest frame in the collection, at 19 inches, for very young beginners. Lightweight aluminum construction ensures maneuverability for small hands. The short frame and generous head size create an oversized sweet spot, making it easier for young players to make clean contact consistently.
Carlitos Junior 21 – Ages 5-7 (110-125 cm tall) Designed at 21 inches with a weight of just 180g, this frame targets early beginners who are developing basic coordination. The pre-strung configuration (as for all frames in the Carlitos Junior collection) means it arrives ready to play immediately, no need for initial string setup even though it’s surely needed later on.
Carlitos Junior 23 – Ages 7-9 (125-135 cm tall) The 23-inch size addresses the middle junior category, players who are developing more consistent stroke mechanics. This is often when young players transition from hitting with parents to practicing with coaches or joining group lessons.
Carlitos Junior 25 – Ages 9-11 (135-145 cm tall / 53-57 inches) This frame serves intermediate juniors who have developed basic rally consistency. The specifications include a 100 sq in head, 16 x 17 string pattern, and 20-20-20 mm beam width. This size bridges the gap between early development and more advanced play.
Carlitos Junior 26 – Ages 11-13 (145-155 cm tall) The largest frame at 26 inches at 240g (unstrung), designed for older juniors approaching full adult frame sizes. Head size remains at 100 sq in, maintaining the forgiving geometry appropriate for still-developing players. By age 13, players in this category are often ready to transition toward adult racquets if their size permits.
Aluminum Construction Throughout
All Carlitos Junior frames use lightweight aluminum composition. This material choice focuses on several factors: durability (aluminum withstands repeated impact better for young players who are still developing their technique), weight consistency (aluminum allows each size to remain genuinely light), and playability for smaller frames.
Memo/Improver Grip for Teaching Each racquet includes a Memo/Improver grip, a teaching tool with visual and tactile cues for proper hand placement. This addresses a real problem: young players often hold racquets incorrectly, ingrain bad habits, and then spend years unlearning them. The integrated grip helps establish proper mechanics from the start.
Forgiving String Patterns and Head Sizes Rather than one-size-fits-all specifications, the line scales progressively as children grow. The smaller models feature appropriately reduced head sizes and open string patterns to make it easier for young beginners to generate power, depth and clean contact. As players step up to the larger 25 and 26-inch models, the racquets expand to a 100-square-inch head size and standard junior string patterns, bridging the gap toward adult frames.
Visual Teaching Aids Babolat has incorporated visual markers directly on the racquet frames. These cues help young players recognize proper stance, swing path, and follow-through.
The aerodynamic design language appeals to children who want equipment that looks like what stars like Carlos Alcaraz uses- a factor Babolat clearly understands matters for junior motivation.
Where to buy the Carlitos Junior racquets?
The Carlitos Junior collection is really a thoughtful approach to junior equipment: purpose-built frames for different ages and sizes rather than a one-size-fits-all shrunk adult racquet. The integration of teaching tools (Memo grip, visual cues, open string pattern) shows that Babolat developed this line with coaching in mind, not just retail sales.
Find them from Babolat directly, at Amazon or various tennis retailers such as Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Warehouse (US,Canada)
You might also want to read more about the HEAD x Jannik Sinner Junior gear collection that was also released this year.
