2023 Head Prestige Pro (Auxetic 2.0) - is it tough to serve with?

setfan

New User
I have recently tried a 2023 Head Prestige Pro plus a 2023 Prestige Tour. I absolutely loved the Prestige Pro on groundstrokes and control, pinpoint accuracy although not much power to put away shots easily. It gives me the confidence to hit through my shots, as it feels like I am always in complete control.
I preferred it to the Tour model, when I would occasionally overhit - although serving was a different matter. I struggled hitting many winner serves with the Pro, but the Tour was much more quicker through the air when serving and I was rewarded with several aces! I was putting a lot of effort into my serves with the Pro, but many were sailing slightly over the line...the Tour the same style/actions resulted in many unreturnable bombs.
I am torn on what to do next...and am seeking opinion on how others find the Prestige Pro when serving?
I am an older style, flatter hitting player who relies on placement and control moreso than power and spin.
I am a bit worried if I buy the Pro I might regret it...
 

emhtennis

Hall of Fame
Best option is to pair it with a more powerful string. If you have the budget, recommend a natural gut main with a poly cross. Could also do a Zyex main and poly cross.

A second option would be to put some lead at 12, 10/2, or 3/9. You'll probably prefer 3/9 if you are a more classic player. Counterbalance with weight in the trap door if you don't want the slightly more head heavy balance.

A more extreme option would be to extend the Prestige by .25 or .5in - either yourself or pay to have it done.
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
Best option is to pair it with a more powerful string. If you have the budget, recommend a natural gut main with a poly cross. Could also do a Zyex main and poly cross.

A second option would be to put some lead at 12, 10/2, or 3/9. You'll probably prefer 3/9 if you are a more classic player. Counterbalance with weight in the trap door if you don't want the slightly more head heavy balance.

A more extreme option would be to extend the Prestige by .25 or .5in - either yourself or pay to have it done.
Yes, good shout on the string. I know tsisipas switched to full gut/synthetic for more power. Problem with the lead etc is the swingweight is gonna go up with the lead on the hoop and the handling altered, it's a trade off, a little bit gonna make that much difference but it's always a trade off? With these softer control frames you can't have it all, I would like the frame to stiffen up enough when hitting really hard like the old versions used to. The head is bigger now so the handling has changed from a 95 head but the pro tour 2.0 is still in the old school sizing and rectangular pallets.
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
Low RA, low SW, dense 18x20 string pattern, the only way you can get some power is to string at low tension or switch to a gut hybrid or even better do both.
The swingweight isn't that low compared to a lot of rackets though is it? The string pattern is nothing like as dense as it used to be on a 95 prestige radical from say the intelligence /liquid metal era but the RA is a consideration and probably the main reason as I could get more power for sure out of a softer frame or equal like the old prestige /radicals even. Obviously the balance on those was not 310 though and the swingweight was more but they were ultra dense string patterns.
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
I have recently tried a 2023 Head Prestige Pro plus a 2023 Prestige Tour. I absolutely loved the Prestige Pro on groundstrokes and control, pinpoint accuracy although not much power to put away shots easily. It gives me the confidence to hit through my shots, as it feels like I am always in complete control.
I preferred it to the Tour model, when I would occasionally overhit - although serving was a different matter. I struggled hitting many winner serves with the Pro, but the Tour was much more quicker through the air when serving and I was rewarded with several aces! I was putting a lot of effort into my serves with the Pro, but many were sailing slightly over the line...the Tour the same style/actions resulted in many unreturnable bombs.
I am torn on what to do next...and am seeking opinion on how others find the Prestige Pro when serving?
I am an older style, flatter hitting player who relies on placement and control moreso than power and spin.
I am a bit worried if I buy the Pro I might regret it...
Well yes, it sounds like you getting more from the serve with the tour but then you may need to tweak the pro as mentioned to get more from it. I find I can get a lot more from my serves with something like a radical mp due to the balance and weight but on groundstrokes and consistency the prestige is king.
 

mattimag

Rookie
Serve is amazing for me with the 16x19 Pro.
What are the specs of your rackets. Maybe a low swing weight combined with 18x20 could cause some problems with serve
 

setfan

New User
Yes, good shout on the string. I know tsisipas switched to full gut/synthetic for more power. Problem with the lead etc is the swingweight is gonna go up with the lead on the hoop and the handling altered, it's a trade off, a little bit gonna make that much difference but it's always a trade off? With these softer control frames you can't have it all, I would like the frame to stiffen up enough when hitting really hard like the old versions used to. The head is bigger now so the handling has changed from a 95 head but the pro tour 2.0 is still in the old school sizing and rectangular pallets.

Would you include the G360+ Prestige Pro as one of the "old" versions that would stiffen up when hitting hard? I think that is quite different to the 2023 Prestige Pro though (16x19 and only 95" headsize) but maybe I could try one also?

Would a Graphene Gravity Pro give as much control and feel as the latest Prestige Pro I wonder...?
 

setfan

New User
Serve is amazing for me with the 16x19 Pro.
What are the specs of your rackets. Maybe a low swing weight combined with 18x20 could cause some problems with serve

Are you referring to the 2023 Pro version or an older model? We don't have a 2023 16x19 Pro version where I am, only the 18x20 one. It was a demo model which has been returned, so unfortunately I dont have it to take specs but the standard advertised specs are 98" head, 320g unstrung, 18x20, stiffness 58 (or possibly 60?), 7pts headlight.
 

J-Wildcard

Semi-Pro
Would you include the G360+ Prestige Pro as one of the "old" versions that would stiffen up when hitting hard? I think that is quite different to the 2023 Prestige Pro though (16x19 and only 95" headsize) but maybe I could try one also?

Would a Graphene Gravity Pro give as much control and feel as the latest Prestige Pro I wonder...?
Yes the g360+ Prestige Pro is a nice racket also but has a stiffer layup which adds to the power level for sure. It handles well though and plays well but for me it lacks the full plush feel of the prestige g360+ mp and no doubt the newer auxetic prestige pro versions which have a softer layup.
 

mattimag

Rookie
Are you referring to the 2023 Pro version or an older model? We don't have a 2023 16x19 Pro version where I am, only the 18x20 one. It was a demo model which has been returned, so unfortunately I dont have it to take specs but the standard advertised specs are 98" head, 320g unstrung, 18x20, stiffness 58 (or possibly 60?), 7pts headlight.

2023 Pro 16x19, totally in love.
Standard specs are those yes but the frames vary a lot, sometimes also by 10 points on swingweight.
Maybe you tried one with lower swingweight
In this case a couple grams of lead at 12 is very useful
 

setfan

New User
2023 Pro 16x19, totally in love.
Standard specs are those yes but the frames vary a lot, sometimes also by 10 points on swingweight.
Maybe you tried one with lower swingweight
In this case a couple grams of lead at 12 is very useful

Good suggestion, but perhaps the different string pattern between my 18x20 and your 16x19 version might be why yours is better on serve? As I said, unfortunately the 16x19 version is not available where I am though.
 

setfan

New User
Yes the g360+ Prestige Pro is a nice racket also but has a stiffer layup which adds to the power level for sure. It handles well though and plays well but for me it lacks the full plush feel of the prestige g360+ mp and no doubt the newer auxetic prestige pro versions which have a softer layup.

Ah yes, that makes sense as of course the g360+ mp has the same specs as the current Prestige Pro (98" and 18x20).
And you found the g360+ mp to be good on serve?
 
A bit oot, but I just demoed the MP and it surprisingly was an excellent racket. Similar feel and plow as my Blade Pro 18 (albeit lighter/easier to maneuver/bomb the serves) and weighted Regna 100 (albeit more predictable). I am all courter with flattish stroke+OHBH+prefer net than trading groundies.

Spec wise, imo I like a more HL racket with lower SW/higher static weight, though those 3 rackets are more head heavy. Is the Pro that much more unforgiving than the MP? I kinda want a "player" racket that gives something; sometimes I get tired with Blade Pro demanding playability.
 
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