Gear · Training aid
Functional Tennis Saber
A training racquet with a head one third the normal size. Miss the middle and the ball goes nowhere, so players learn to watch the ball, move their feet and hit clean. Ten minutes in the warm-up is enough.
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The Saber plays like a normal racquet with a head one third the size. Photos: Functional Tennis.
The short answer
The Saber is worth it for a competitive junior who mishits a lot or stops moving their feet. It is a warm-up tool: about 10 minutes before the normal session, then back to the normal racquet. It does not replace lessons or a match racquet.
What it does
- Small head, normal racquet. 37 sq in against about 95–100 on a normal frame, but normal length, weight and balance. Players keep their grip and swing.
- Instant feedback. An off-centre hit is obvious, so the player learns the contact point without a coach saying it every ball.
- Spin still works. Reviewers and the Saddlebrook juniors hit normal topspin with it, unlike the old wooden pointer.
- Used on tour. Forbes reports tour pros use it to work on contact point; Functional Tennis names Wawrinka, Hurkacz and Djokovic among players who have used it.
Which size for my child?
Match the Saber to the racquet your child plays with now. Not sure? Use the racquet size tool first.
| Model | Best for | Length | Weight | Grip | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saber Junior | Ages 6–10, or players who use a 25" or 26" racquet | 23" | 240 g | 0 (4") | €149.95 |
| Saber Lite | Juniors moving to a full-size racquet, lighter adults | 25" | 265 g (277 g strung) | 1 (4 1/8") | €149.95 |
| Saber Mid (original) | Older juniors and adults on a full-size racquet, coaches | 25" | 300 g (312 g strung) | 2 (4 1/4") | €149.95 |
Bundles: Any two (Mid + Lite, Mid + Junior, Lite + Junior) €284.95; Full set (Junior, Lite and Mid) €419.95. Prices in EUR from functionaltennis.com, checked 2026-10-16. Shipping is calculated at checkout.
Specs (all models)
| Head size | 37 sq in (a normal racquet is about 95–100) |
|---|---|
| String pattern | 12 × 12 |
| Beam | 22 mm, straight |
| Frame | Carbon fibre and fibreglass composite |
| Strung with | Synthetic gut, at the factory |
| Recommended tension | 13.5 kg / 30 lbs |
A 10-minute Saber warm-up
Functional Tennis recommends about 10 minutes in the normal warm-up. A simple way to fill it:
- Mini tennis, 3 minutes. Service line to service line. Count clean hits in a row.
- Volleys, 2 minutes. Short punches, racquet in front. The small head shows a late volley at once.
- Baseline rally, 4 minutes. Half pace, crosscourt. Target: 10 balls in a row.
- Back to the normal racquet, 1 minute. The normal head now feels big. That is the point.
This routine is our suggestion, not the maker's.
Who should skip it
- Beginners who cannot rally yet: build a rally with a normal racquet first.
- Children still on red-ball courts with 19"–21" racquets: even the Junior model is 23".
- Anyone with a sore arm: a mishit on a small head can jar the arm. Rest first.
Questions parents ask
What is the Functional Tennis Saber?
A training racquet with a 37 sq in head, about a third of a normal head. It plays like a normal racquet, so a player can rally, serve and hit spin, but only clean contact in the middle works. It is a warm-up and training tool, not a match racquet.
Which Saber should I buy for my child?
Ages 6–10, or any child who plays with a 25" or 26" racquet: the Saber Junior (23", 240 g). A junior on a 27" racquet: the Saber Lite (25", 265 g). Strong older juniors and adults: the Saber Mid (25", 300 g).
How long should my child use it?
Functional Tennis recommends about 10 minutes as part of the normal warm-up. Reviewers and the Saddlebrook juniors agree: use it next to the normal racquet, not instead of it.
How much does the Saber cost?
Each model costs €149.95 on functionaltennis.com (checked 2026-10-16). Two models cost €284.95; all three cost €419.95. Shipping is calculated at checkout; the shop ships worldwide.
Is the Saber the same as the wooden Tennis Pointer?
No. Both have a small head, but reviewers (Tennisnerd, IART) find the Saber easier to play with: a player can hit naturally, rally and put spin on the ball, and the composite frame feels close to a real racquet.
Sources
- Functional Tennis: Saber product page (specs, prices, models)
- Tennisnerd: The Functional Tennis Saber is here
- Tennis Gear Guide: Functional Tennis Saber review
- IART: Saber racquet review
- Florida Tennis: Saddlebrook's junior players test the Saber
- Forbes: Saber training tool in the hands of tour pros
Checked 2026-10-16. Specs and prices come from the maker; the feel and spin notes come from the independent reviews above.