In Episode 2 of The RPNY Podcast, we take a deep dive into junior racquets, equipment progression, and injury prevention—and why small details matter far more than most people realize.Roman Prokes, world-renowned racquet technician and founder of RPNY Tennis explains why juniors shouldn’t “grow into” full-size racquets—and how smart, gradual equipment changes can reduce injury risk and support long-term development.

This episode connects the dots between racquet sizing, grip size, weight placement, string choice, and volume of play—showing how smart equipment decisions can remove unnecessary variables and reduce stress on growing bodies.

Whether you’re a parent navigating junior tennis, a coach guiding player development, or an athlete looking to stay healthy long-term, this episode offers practical, expert insight you won’t hear anywhere else. Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders inside the Farm & Forge ecosystem!

#ForgeIn

00:00 Introduction

00:14 Why Junior Racquets Matter

02:08 Junior Racquet Sizes Explained

04:20 Why Small Changes Matter for Pros (and Kids)

06:38 How to Progress Racquet Size Safely

08:02 Grip Size Mistakes with Junior Players

10:11 Equipment Changes & Injury Risk

14:39 Grip Size as Kids Grow

18:10 How Equipment Affects the Opponent

20:21 Strings for Junior Players

25:37 When Poly Becomes an Option

29:18 Racquet Weight vs Maneuverability

31:27 Where to Add Weight for Power or Control

33:31 Final Thoughts