Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the timing of muscle activation during the acceleration phase of topspin forehand drives in young tennis players. Synthesis: The activity of six muscles was recorded using surface electromyography during topspin forehand drives in 22 players (9–17 years). The timing of muscle activation was characterized by the onset of EMG bursts during the acceleration stage. Conclusion: The proximal-to-distal sequential muscle activity was observed for the agonist muscles while the antagonist muscles were recruited at the end of the acceleration stage. This sequential muscle activity was common to all participants whatever their abilities.