Head Speed 2013 Playtest

[cork_screw]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

Tennis.com (light version):


—Hitting groundstrokes, I was surprised by how powerful the racquet is for a beam width in the low 20mms; my first few shots sailed far beyond the baseline. This is, at least in part, a function of the racquet’s (distribution of) weight. It felt like it was in the low 11-ounce range—a little on the light side for my tastes—and balanced only a few points head light. So there’s a good bit of weight up in the hoop, which causes the sweet spot to play pretty high (above the six and nine positions). This characteristic should be well received by all manner of baseliners.

—At the net, the Speed Prototype was capable enough, but by no means inspired. The frame’s extra power manifested itself most noticeably on those difficult low and half volleys; I remember hitting a few pretty poorly, but found, to my pleasure, that the ball sailed a lot deeper than I expected.

—But for my strokes—a semi-Western forehand, which I hit pretty flat, and an Eastern one-handed backhand—the Prototype just had too much juice. As a result, I found myself trying to hit with much more spin than normal in order to keep the ball in the court. And there was plenty to be had, what with the racquet’s open string pattern and poly set-up. That might not be a bad thing; perhaps I should hit with more spin. Doubtless, it’s where the game’s headed.

—What impressed me most about the Speed was how much it “gave” on impact. It has a soft feeling for a player’s frame—not as much as the Prince Exo3 Rebel 95 I’ve been playing with, but in the same neighborhood. What I mean by this: It feels as if the hoop is cradling the ball. This is pleasant to me. (Others who like stiffer frames have told me that this feels “mushy” to them.) Again, it all comes down to personal preferences. I love open grommet systems, flexible to firm constructions, and low tensions—in short, cradlers. And you?


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Do you like the older IG Speed version more so than the prototype graphene you playtested? Are they drastically different? Which one do you like more?

[Automatix]

I thought testers only get either the new Speed MP or the Rev Speed.
Everything is strange since the contest to test the new Speed Graphenes are for the Speed MP or the Rev and not the Speed Pro which Djokovic will be promoting in 2013.

Ohh well.

[JackB1]

Hey JC, could you compare the new Speed 16x19 to the prev model?
power? Sweetspot? Stiffness? Do you think it friendlier for 3.5-4.0 level or is it purely a "players stick" for advanced only (4.5 and above).

[3fees]

Note- Hitting with new sticks is like meeting a new fox that moved in down the street and you got first dibs, at the end of the day though when the newness has wore off, your better with what you had before and richer as well, didn't break the piggy bank open. lol, I have seen this more times with players than what I can count. When you buy on the cutting edge dont get cut.

[vetinari]

Jack

I've hit with the new stick for 4-6 hours and have used the IG version (18x20) for about 18 months.

Graphene speed is stiffer than the previous versions, but more comfortable. There are less vibrations and better torsional stability which give it a nice solid feel. I thought the response was crisp. Sweet spot is bigger and a different shape (matching the different head shape).

Overall I think it's a great update/upgrade. There isn't anything I really prefer in the old version and found the new version easy to adjust to. Some other people at my club though didn't like it as much as the older version.

[vetinari]

As far as level, I think it is more forgiving and easier to swing than the IG version and would be a fine choice for 3.5+

[TennisJC]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Hey JC, could you compare the new Speed 16x19 to the prev model?
power? Sweetspot? Stiffness? Do you think it friendlier for 3.5-4.0 level or is it purely a "players stick" for advanced only (4.5 and above).

Hey Jack,

First off, Head Reps contacted me and asked me to take down my videos/pics/preview posts Sorry I guess they don't want me to spoil the Jan 11th surprise party at the Aussie Open?

I'm still going to demo/playtest the Speed Pro this week but can't publish it until Head Austria is cool with it*

Speed MP 16x19 vs older IG...

I think the volleying/returning is easier (has similar feel to the Babolat woofer system where it seems like I get longer dwell time). No kidding, I felt like deflecting hard volleys and returns I could steer the ball better...so maybe not bigger sweetspot but sweeter sweetspot? =)

I think for 4.0's all-court players and counter punchers this is a great stick. If they let me keep this all black demo stick as souvenir I would use it in my own matches. I'm between 4.0-4.5 (need more tourney victories to move up in 2013)...

Out of my 2013 demos, I would rate them for my own play style:
Speed MP > Wilson 99S = Babolat AeroPro > Instinct > Blade 18x20

[thecrusher956]

Wait, nole's back to a pro?

[parasailing]

Originally Posted by TennisJC

Speed MP 16x19 vs older IG...

I think the volleying/returning is easier (has similar feel to the Babolat woofer system where it seems like I get longer dwell time). No kidding, I felt like deflecting hard volleys and returns I could steer the ball better...so maybe not bigger sweetspot but sweeter sweetspot? =)

I think for 4.0's all-court players and counter punchers this is a great stick. If they let me keep this all black demo stick as souvenir I would use it in my own matches. I'm between 4.0-4.5 (need more tourney victories to move up in 2013)...


Out of my 2013 demos, I would rate them for my own play style:
Speed MP > Wilson 99S = Babolat AeroPro > Instinct > Blade 18x20

Have you tried hitting with the Pure Storm Tour GT and how would you rank it against the 2013 demos you have tried so far?

[Deschain]

Mine arrived today, quite excited to try it out. Hopefully this England weather will give me a break so I can try it out soon

[newyorkstadium]

Predicted to be the coldest winter in 100 years mate. Can't see myself back on a court till February, at the earliest. I'm too much of a wimp in this cold weather.

[rohit1986xyz]

My play level is between 4.0-4.5. My game is that of a counter puncher, baseliner. MY basic strategy is to get aces, and hit a lot of accurate fast winners (down-the-lines, overheads).

I have put around 6 hours of tennis to the head 2013 graphene 16x19 heavier version prototype model. Frankly, I did not like it. I liked the older IG speed much more. This racket does not offer a lot of speed like the usual speed models and has even lesser control than the older IG speed. If you get the ball outside the sweetspot (which is of weird shape due to the changed shape of the racket), you will find substantial decrease in power. I was mis-hitting the balls frequently because they were not at the sweetspot. And whenever I got it in the sweetspot, it would sail outside the baseline because I was getting used to hitting with a lot of power in all my other shots. As a result, I was getting beaten in most points.

I think for anyone testing this racket of thinking about this racket, make sure that you are well-settled in with the racket shape and its sweetspot. The maneuverability is higher than the older IG speed, which is welcome. Also, it is more stable than the IG speed, which was also good.

One more shot from this racket that I had trouble with was the direct ball punch. What I mean is that when an opponent hits a ball that is sailing and you move forward to hit it before it bounces to hit the winner. I had trouble in hitting that shot because it was going into the nets very often. The oval shape of the racket head really created problems for me in my game.

One aspect that I liked about the racket was the serves. This racket serves, by far, the best I have seen with any 2013 model (Blade, APD, head G) or 2012 model (APD, Pro Staff, 6.1. series, Radical, Speed). The amount of spin I was getting and the ability to place the ball on serves was just insane. Having said that, the balls did not have the amount of pace that I usually get. So, its a trade-off but accuracy over speed, I would take accuracy any given day!

[rohit1986xyz]

One correction In 2013 models, I have only tested Blade 98 18x20, Blade 93, and Head Graphene G. I haven't tested the 2013 babolat APD.

[AbsoluTennis]

I tested the new Speed G 16/19 (300 gr) quite a lot the last 2 weeks.
I m currently playing the 2012 Radical Pro (630) and i actually had only 2 problems with the new Speed:
the different grip shape (not the traditional Head Grip-rather like Wilson)
and
the lack of mass (compared to the Radical Pro).

I was pretty happy about all other aspects of the Speed:
more spin
better acceleration
better handling
better serve...

the Head guy told me to put 3 gr of lead on 12 and in the buttcap and it should work better...but i didnt try yet

bye

[frunk]

Just got a speed MP demo.

[frunk]

Update: hated it.

[mrmo1115]

Originally Posted by frunk

Update: hated it.

You got the 18/20 315g?

[mrc]

I hit the Graphene Speed Pro today. Strung with 4G Mains Poly at 50lbs and Nat Gut at 55 Crosses. Just not my thing, too stiff, thick, light, and hollow feeling.If you want to break 200MPH on your forehand..great stick. Reminds me a bit of Head Radical IG Pro which I hit for a few minutes.

[hyperion99]

Originally Posted by sixone90

Does anyone know if the 18x20 has shared holes?

The Graphene speed pro 18/20 has shared holes.
No skips