New Graphene Prestige Pro (2014)

bruintennis

bruintennis

Semi-Pro
Hello TW!

Just curious how many people have hit with the Graphene Prestige Pro (2014) and what did you think of it compared to previous Prestige Pros (Youtek, IG Youtek, iPrestige, etc.).

I have personally hit with it twice for about 2 hours total and thought it played better than the IG Youtek Prestige Pro in just about every aspect of the game. I liked the fact that it was slightly lighter and more powerful than the IG PP. I felt like my forehands were about the same, my backhands were easier to hit and more powerful, volleys were easier to hit and keep in the court, and serves were harder with more spin. The only thing that took getting used to was feeling the frame flex more than the IG PP (something that I can't feel when using the IG PP). I have only used the IG Prestige Pro previously, so I can't compare the Graphene Prestige Pro to previous versions of the racquet. I wil most likely switch when the Graphene Prestige Pro comes out because I am looking for a more powerful and lighter racquet.

To me, the Graphene Prestige Pro feels a bit like a less powerful pure drive. It is easier to play with than the IG PP.

What's your experience with the Graphene Prestige Pro?

Cheers!
 
N

neil1b

Rookie
Many people have already received samples as well as stores have received seed racquets from their reps. Im in line to try the mp this week.
 
VoodooBoot

VoodooBoot

Semi-Pro
I am very curious about the stiffness on the Graphene PP compared to IG.
Radicals, according to people who have hit with them, have become stiffer.
 
bruintennis

bruintennis

Semi-Pro
The new PP seems only slightly stiffer to me, but I did feel the frame flex more when hitting. It does have more power than the IG PP.
 
N

neil1b

Rookie
Just strung up the graphine prestige mp and graphine speed pro with hawk strings at 54 lbs. Going to hit this weekend with both and ill post my reviews
 
LafayetteHitter

LafayetteHitter

Hall of Fame
I mentioned in another thread, if they keep making every frame stiffer and crisper won't they all end up being NOT player frames? It seems like each time a Prestige comes out it's more powerful than the last? Is that truly a good thing for the "Prestige" line? But then again if you watch about 10 reviews of racquets you can't remember one from another because most are redundant in my opinion. 99 percent start with "Well, I really like this frame and i'd switch except". haha
 
J

jayserinos99

Hall of Fame
I hit with one a couple of weeks ago. A teaching pro had one and the IG, unfortunately strings were different as the IG had a multi and the Graphene had poly but I couldn't really tell the big difference between the two except the Graphene swung a tad quicker. Out of the Prestige Pros, I still like the YT as it swung the fastest and was still fairly stable and lower powered.
 
Bartelby

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
They put prices up by around $100 dollars for the Australian market so I can only see an evaporating market.

Over $300 US for a racquet is not going to fly unless they offer back room deals I'm not privy to.
 
TennisCanada1

TennisCanada1

Professional
my racquet of choice is the IG PP with some silicone in the handle, so I just got my hands on the graphene PP today and put some lead under the overgrip to compensate.

I hit with it for an hour and a bit, and I found that there was noticeably more power, I could feel the frame flex like mentioned above, and there was a much better feel. (I'm not suer if that can be credited to the Graphene or if its another factor.) Nothing with this racquet was worse but the groundstrokes were barely different. The big difference was in my serve. so much more FREE power on the first serve, and A LOT more comfort on the second serve kickers. both serves were much more explosive (i hit a flat first serve and a kick second serve) and there was much more comfort on the second serve, almost like a cupping effect, where you feel like you have improved placement of the serve, as opposed to the IG where it felt like the racquet didnt stay on the stringbed as long.

I think the Graphene Prestige Pro is too light in stock form, but it doesn't matter in my case because i'l be matching it to my IG specs with the addition of more silicone in the handle. If you weight it up, it's an improvement in my opinion. I use Luxilon Savage in all my frames at 48-50lbs.

PS. DEFINITELY NOT COMPARABLE TO A PURE DRIVE AT ALL. The pure drive is a trampoline compared to any of the Prestige Models.
 
bruintennis

bruintennis

Semi-Pro
TennisCanada1 - great write up. i got a chance to try one (graphene prestige pro) a couple months ago and felt many of the same things you did. i really liked how the GPP volleyed and extra power on the serve!

i hope the final (retail) version will be the same.
 
T

Torres

Banned
On 'paper' the G-PP seems pretty similar to the G-Speed MP. Apart from weight, how different are they in the real world?
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
Torres said:
On 'paper' the G-PP seems pretty similar to the G-Speed MP. Apart from weight, how different are they in the real world?
Click to expand...

On paper the Speed MP seems a little closer to the Prestige S IMO. From what I have read the G-PP has a little more meat to it based on the written specs provided by TW. Same mould and string pattern of course but the swing weight and static weight seem more substantial on the Pro. I see Head has also adopted the "Dynamic String"pattern on these sticks so the string pattern should be a fairly closed in the center for a 16x19.
 
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P

parasailing

Legend
Murray - How would you compare this to the Graphene Speed Pro? I like the easier to swing Graphene Speed MP but found it lacked heft so if the Prestige Pro is as solid as the Speed Pro but easier or softer, then I might give this racquet a try.
 
Murray_fan1

Murray_fan1

Professional
parasailing said:
Murray - How would you compare this to the Graphene Speed Pro? I like the easier to swing Graphene Speed MP but found it lacked heft so if the Prestige Pro is as solid as the Speed Pro but easier or softer, then I might give this racquet a try.[/]

I will let you know as soon as I receive my demo and had a chance to hit with them. Racquets are due in on the 13th so hopefully it won't be too long after that.
Click to expand...
 
T

Torres

Banned
I quite like it - the G-PP that is. Polarized and a bit tinny and feel nothing like the previous versions but it plays pretty well with a nice weighting to it. Slightly inconsistent response from that hoop unless you're nailing that sweetspot but it is an interesting stick. Of all the Graphenes I tried, I probably like this the most. Not one for the traditionalists but they seem to have remade this to try and open it up to a wider audience.

Stock (strung): 326g / 325mm balance (5.66 HL)
With OG/damp: 333.5g / 321mm balance (7HL)

- polarized
- flex in the throat
- bit tinny feeling though nowhere as bad as Babolat
- comfortable stick
- good weighting to it (primarily hoop 3/9 and handle)
- not the easiest to feel the ball for delicate shots
- good amount of power and spin
- inconsistent stringbed response unless you nail that (smallish) sweetspot
- low powered in the upper half of the hoop

It actually reminds me a bit of a flexier version of the Pure Strike Tour in a 16x19 pattern. They seemed to have given it more of a 'tweener' feel (particularly the higher swing weight) but it still asks that you hit cleanly and have a long, loose swing. It's not quite light enough to be described as super whippy but neither does it feel like a hefty old school racquet either.
 
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maxpotapov

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
Torres said:
I quite like it - the G-PP that is. Polarized and a bit tinny and feel nothing like the previous versions but it plays pretty well with a nice weighting to it. Slightly inconsistent response from that hoop unless you're nailing that sweetspot but it is an interesting stick. Of all the Graphenes I tried, I probably like this the most. Not one for the traditionalists but they seem to have remade this to try and open it up to a wider audience.

- polarized
- flex in the throat
- bit tinny feeling though nowhere as bad as Babolat
- comfortable stick
- good weighting to it (primarily hoop 3/9 and handle)
- not the easiest to feel the ball for delicate shots
- good amount of power and spin
- inconsistent stringbed response unless you nail that (smallish) sweetspot
- low powered in the upper half of the hoop

It actually reminds me a bit of a flexier version of the Pure Strike Tour in a 16x19 pattern.
Click to expand...

a bit tinny feeling
feels nothing like the previous version
plays pretty well with a nice weighting to it
inconsistent stringbed response
unless you nail that (smallish) sweetspot
_____________
I'm sorry but it does not really add up to a likable racquet

It only adds up to this:
"Of all the Graphenes I tried, I probably like this the most",
which is a dubious compliment.
 
T

Torres

Banned
maxpotapov said:
I'm sorry but it does not really add up to a likable racquet
Click to expand...

:mrgreen:

Everyone likes the idea of the old Prestige Pro but I don't know anyone who actually plays with one in stock form. I would like some more hitting time with the graphene version but I don't think it's a bad racquet. The unknown for me at this stage it whether it starts feeling more consistent once I've had more hitting time with it and I get more dialed in or whether the response from the hoop remains slightly inconsistent. I was thinking last night that it reminds me a bit of the 6.1 Team but with a bit more weight and slugging power to it, in that if you started off with a lighter base racquet and then added weight at 2-4 and 10-8, together with weight in the handle, you'd probably get a weight distribution like that of the G-PP. It's slightly tinny and slightly hollow but also meaty as well. Unusual combination but based on about 6 hours of hitting, I think it plays alright.
 
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maxpotapov

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
I see, but is there any particular advantage worth fighting for?
Beyond "good amount of power and spin", of course ;)
 
T

Torres

Banned
Haha...who knows? Everyone's got their own tastes in racquets... :mrgreen:

What I will say is that if you like the idea of a heavier racquet but find a 6.1 or 350g leaded PP too much to handle, and find the Blade 98s or similar too light or stiff or with too much of HH balance, this would be worth trying. I don't think that there are that many sticks in this weight bracket. It does have a slightly unusual blend of characteristics but I have to admit that I like this stick more than anything from the recent Babolat offerings (Pure Controls, Strikes etc) and I prefer the extra heft compared to the G-Rad Pro as well as the G-PP being slightly flexier.
 
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bruintennis

bruintennis

Semi-Pro
Torres - thanks for the write up and insight. I feel like the Graphene Prestige Pro is easier to use on a number of shots for me (serves and volleys) when I tried one two months ago. I hope the ones being released now didn't change much.
 
T

Torres

Banned
Apart from the drill pattern, not wildly dissimilar but different hoop size/shape, weight distribution, more flex in the throat, and sounds like you're smashing some empty tin cans together....
 
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T

Torres

Banned
It's taken me about 8-10 hours to get used to this but I think this is a good racquet.

Stay loose and fluid, let the racquet do the work and it swings beautifully. I like the weight distribution. There's enough weight in the head to be aggressive and hit through your opponent but it's still pretty manoeuverable. It actually reminds me more of the older Rad Pros than the Prestige Pros. Good power from the baseline, solid on volleys and versatile on serves. Slightly tinny and slightly hollow feeling but it doesn't really affect way it plays, though it's not the best feeling racquet for delicate touch shots. It's more for hitting through the court, flat or with spin and not giving up court space. Plays really well with that Head Hawk string.

If I was in the market for a racquet in this weight class, I'd be more than happy to buy one.

Custom Made

Apparently, Head are going to add the Rad and Prestige lines to their Custom Made offerings.

"Starting with the Speed range as its base model – there are plans to expand the range to include the Prestige and Radical lines in the future – players are invited to tweak the existing specification"

http://www.tennisXXXhead.net/news/gear/2013/12/12/head-launches-custom-made
(delete the XXX from the URL)

Personally, I do not feel that there's an obvious need to change the specs of the Prestige Pro - I like the weight distribution and the way it swings as it currently is - though it would be interesting to see how it plays with another 10g across the frame without changing its SW and balance specs, to see whether that additional weight makes it more solid feeling.

CAP grommets

Interestingly, TW say that the black MG/YT CAP grommets should fit these. Would look pretty good if you had a pair of these with one black CAP'd and the other red stock grommets. Good way of distinguishing between each racquet and differently strung string tensions.







Best paintjob Head have done for ages IMO. Very bold and modern looking.
 
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T

Torres

Banned


Had a back to back hit with the Graphene Prestige Pro and my normal racquet, a Wilson Juice Pro 96.

They swing pretty similarly, which is probably one reason why I like them both.

BLX Juice Pro:
- plusher and softer feeling
- comfortable
- slightly flatter hitting (drill pattern is pretty dense in the center)
- more stable and more solid feeling (no substitute for mass!)
- has more of a 'one piece racquet' feel
- similar size sweespot but overall usable stringbed area is bigger and more consistent (despite this being a 96sq")
- rounder hoop
- more weight in the throat
- about 12g heavier

Graphene Prestige Pro
- more direct feeling (or depending on which adjective you prefer to use...crisper/tinnier/more modern/hollower etc)
- 'skinnier' feeling frame and less plush but still comfortable
- feels like a lighter racquet where they've added weight in strategic places, primarily the hoop and handle
- produces a bit more spin and a slightly heavier ball
- easier to accelerate the head of the racquet
- more oval hoop
- smaller usable stringbed area (despite this being a 98sq")
- about 12g lighter

My opponent said that I was producing a ball that jumped off the court more with the Prestige Pro but court length was more consistent when I was hitting with the Juice Pro. The G-Prestige Pro is like a loud, brash person who turns up to your party. The Juice Pro is the smoother, more laconic type. They've both got something equally interesting to say, they just deliver it in a different way.

If I had to sum up this racquet as briefly as I can, I'd say it's a bit like a Blade 98 but more HL, with more slugging power and more weight in the hoop/handle and a bit more flexy. Feels also a bit like a weighted up 6.1 Team. Decent amount of slugging power from that hoop yet still fast feeling through the stroke.
 
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C

Chace

Hall of Fame
Torres, have you hit with the IG prestige pro? If so, can you compare the IG PP to the graphene prestige pro?
 
T

Torres

Banned
^ Not really. I had a 5 min hit with one once but that was it. All I remember is that it felt pretty soft (and a bit too muted for my liking).
 
C

Chace

Hall of Fame
Murray_fan1 said:
parasailing said:
Murray - How would you compare this to the Graphene Speed Pro? I like the easier to swing Graphene Speed MP but found it lacked heft so if the Prestige Pro is as solid as the Speed Pro but easier or softer, then I might give this racquet a try.[/]

I will let you know as soon as I receive my demo and had a chance to hit with them. Racquets are due in on the 13th so hopefully it won't be too long after that.
Click to expand...

Murray_fan1, have you had a chance to hit with it yet? If so how does it compare to the IG PP?
Click to expand...
 
P

parasailing

Legend
If this hits like Blade 98 but more HL, that's a good thing. Anyways, I just got the racquet today so hope to try it out this weekend and will provide some feedback on how this compares to the Speed Pro.
 
T

Torres

Banned
I had a brief hit with a second one. Interestingly, this second one was slightly more heavy in the head and had a higher swing weight (335 v 329). Subtle but noticeable difference to me as the head seemed to lag slightly before coming round and obliterating the ball. I thought it had more power and less control than the first one though it may simply be a case of getting used to it.

Given that the SW is right up there, this may well be one of those racquets that you ask TW to spec for you as there's no simple way of reducing SW, whereas adding a small blob of lead at 12 is pretty easy.
 
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T

Torres

Banned
jwjh said:
Isn't the prestige pro supposed to be 95 sq inch?
Click to expand...

Head shape is pretty close to a 95 across 3/9 but more of a 98 between 12/6. Bit of an elongated rather than round hoop. I have shanked a few with this stick, which is something I hardly ever do with a rounder 98. That said, it's a stick that encourages you to be aggressive and take a big rip at everything - once you get that head moving it really accelerates through and there's enough mass there to obliterate the ball. I can probably count on one hand, the number of times I've hit a slice with this stick.
 
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P

parasailing

Legend
I finally had a chance to string up the racquet and hit with it for about an hour.

TW specs the racquet at a high 335 SW but the one I got feels pretty whippy and maneuverable. At the net, this racquet was quick and easy to hit volleys.

On groundstrokes, power was decent but I didn't feel the same oomph as the Speed Pro. The sweetspot is not as generous as the Speed Pro.

This racquet feels less tinny than the Radical Pro but not as plush as the Speed Pro. I will try to add some lead at 10 and 2 to add some oomph and 3 and 9 to widen the sweetspot.

If you looking for a racquet between the Radical Pro and Speed Pro, the Prestige Pro is it. Great for doubles but singles will need to play with some lead to maximize the benefits of the racquet.
 
Doubles

Doubles

Legend
I hit with it for about an hour before I had to switch back to my IG's. Man oh man has HEAD made an awful racquet. The new Prestige Pro not only felt metallic and "pingy" but was too lightweight and wimpy in comparison to my stock weight IG. HEAD turned a players frame into a toy. I'm disappointed.
 
C

corners

Legend
parasailing said:
Which will make this racquet SW go through the roof as it is currently spec'd at 335.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the new Pro has a much higher swingweight than the IG Pro, but has lost a bunch of mass from the throat and handle. This weight distribution is more similar to the way most pros have their frames set up, while the IG Pro had a very traditional players' (80s and 90s setup, in other words) racquet weight distribution - the mass being distributed fairly uniformly from tip to tail.
 
P

parasailing

Legend
corners said:
Yeah, the new Pro has a much higher swingweight than the IG Pro, but has lost a bunch of mass from the throat and handle. This weight distribution is more similar to the way most pros have their frames set up, while the IG Pro had a very traditional players' (80s and 90s setup, in other words) racquet weight distribution - the mass being distributed fairly uniformly from tip to tail.
Click to expand...

Hence something that I will have to experiment with some lead to try to get it to hit with more mass. It's weird how TWU shows this racquet has about similar power to the Speed Pro but yet doesn't hit like it. The only thing it does better at stock than the Speed Pro is it is a lot easier to swing and easier to maneuver even though it has a high SW and similar static weight which I found odd.
 
C

corners

Legend
parasailing said:
Hence something that I will have to experiment with some lead to try to get it to hit with more mass. It's weird how TWU shows this racquet has about similar power to the Speed Pro but yet doesn't hit like it. The only thing it does better at stock than the Speed Pro is it is a lot easier to swing and easier to maneuver even though it has a high SW and similar static weight which I found odd.
Click to expand...

Have you specced out the two frames that you have? It appears to me that the Prestige Pro, at least, is coming off the line in many "versions" due to loose QC.
 
maxpotapov

maxpotapov

Hall of Fame
parasailing said:
Which will make this racquet SW go through the roof as it is currently spec'd at 335.
Click to expand...

Too bad for this pingy metallic hollow feeling frame.

I'm not buying into idea of using lead to make the racquet feel solid. Yes lead is dense alright, but I remember racquets before they felt thin.
 
C

corners

Legend
maxpotapov said:
Too bad for this pingy metallic hollow feeling frame.

I'm not buying into idea of using lead to make the racquet feel solid. Yes lead is dense alright, but I remember racquets before they felt thin.
Click to expand...
IMHO, if a racquet with swingweight in the 330-340 range does not feel solid it's a lost cause.
 
P

parasailing

Legend
The added lead seems to help the frame with stability but the racquet still pings so for those of you who hate that, skip the Prestige Pro. It is less pingy than the Radical Pro but not as solid and cushy as the Speed Pro.

I might start playing with silicone in the handle to see if that will help dampen that ping. On the plus side, it's quite maneuverable and great at the net. Serves are fine if you hit the sweetspot but yes, the ping is not what I had expected from a Prestige line.
 
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