Longer rallies. Cleaner contact. The confidence to swing freely and try something new. The Mantis X range is designed to support young players as their tennis develops.
The X25 and X26 combine lightweight junior frames with the materials and construction approach used across the wider Mantis range. Each comes professionally strung by our in-house stringer, Tom, ready for the court.
With two lengths and two cosmetic options, the priority is finding the size that allows your child to prepare comfortably, swing smoothly and enjoy playing.
What can the X range bring to a junior’s game?
Manageable handling to support developing technique
A junior racket should allow a child to move and swing naturally. The X25 and X26 are designed around manageable weight and junior proportions, helping players prepare the racket and complete their strokes.
That matters when learning everything from a forehand follow-through to a service action. A suitable racket gives young players the opportunity to practise those movements confidently.
A forgiving hitting area
Both models have a 100 sq in head, providing a generous hitting area while timing and coordination develop.
That extra room can help when a player is learning to judge the bounce, moving into position or adjusting to a faster rally. More confident contact gives them more opportunities to keep the ball in play and develop a point.
Spin and control as their game grows
The 16×19 string pattern provides scope to develop topspin and experiment with shot shape.
As technique improves, players can learn to lift the ball safely over the net, bring it down into the court and create different angles. The racket supports that development, with coaching and practice guiding the result.
Feedback for touch and timing
The X range is designed to provide a responsive feel at contact. That gives young players useful feedback as they learn to judge how firmly to hit, soften a volley or control a shorter ball.
X25 and X26: the specifications
| Specification | Mantis X25 | Mantis X26 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 25in / 63.5cm | 26in / approximately 66cm |
| Unstrung weight | 230g | 235g |
| Head size | 100 sq in | 100 sq in |
| String pattern | 16×19 | 16×19 |
| Beam width | 23.5 / 25 / 22.5mm | 23.5 / 25 / 22.5mm |
| Listed stiffness | 66 | 67 |
| Grip size | 00 | 0 |
| Cosmetic options | Phantom or Challenge | Phantom or Challenge |
| Supplied | Professionally strung | Professionally strung |
Strings add to the listed unstrung weights.
X25: confidence in a more compact frame
The X25 combines a 25-inch length with a 230g unstrung weight and a small size 00 grip.
It is worth considering for juniors who are ready for a 25-inch racket and want a frame that supports regular lessons, practice and developing match play. Its shorter length makes it the more compact option within the X range.
The X25 particularly suits players who:
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Need a manageable racket while developing complete swings.
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Are progressing from a shorter junior frame.
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Are learning to rally with more consistency and topspin.
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Benefit from a smaller handle.
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Can control a 25-inch racket comfortably across groundstrokes, serves and volleys.
The useful test is whether the player can prepare on time and complete the stroke without the racket pulling them out of position.
X26: the next step in reach and leverage
The X26 adds an inch of length, with a listed unstrung weight just 5g higher than the X25.
That additional length offers more reach and leverage for growing players. It also changes how the racket swings, so readiness involves more than comparing the weight alone.
The X26 particularly suits players who:
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Have become comfortable with a 25-inch racket.
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Are ready for additional reach while retaining junior dimensions.
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Play regularly and are developing stronger, more coordinated strokes.
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Need a step between a shorter junior racket and a full-length adult frame.
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Can maintain smooth preparation and control with the longer racket.
There is no need to rush the transition. The right time to move up is when the player can use the extra length effectively throughout a session.
Choosing between X25 and X26
Use your child’s size, strength, coordination and current technique to guide the decision, with help from their coach.
Watch them serve, return and hit balls on the move. They should be able to hold the grip comfortably, prepare without struggling and finish their swing naturally.
Choose a racket they can use well now. Good contact and confident movement provide a strong foundation for progression.
Choose the size, then the style
Both the X25 and X26 come in Phantom and Challenge finishes. Within each size, the playing specifications are the same, so juniors can choose the look they love after finding the right fit.
Both models feature THERMOCORE FUSION™ and PRECISIONCRAFT™ construction, designed to support consistent frame response through controlled carbon-and-resin bonding and carefully arranged carbon-fibre lay-ups.
Explore the Mantis X25 and Mantis X26 to find the next racket for your young player’s game.
Play is Progress.
