2025 Head Radical (Auxetic 2.0)

[dr325i]

As mentioned in another thread (GT98), the 2025 Radicals have arrived and I will be testing them over the next few days.
Initial thought is that they "feel' a bit softer, but the court time will tell today.
And no, I cannot post the pictures or talk about cosmetics until the time is right

 

[NickJ]

Bright green with pink/orange swirls . . . ?

 

[WJ155]

didn’t the cosmetic already get leaked? the new orange on red pj?

 

[veelium]

If the cosmetic is what was leaked, I'm a big fan even though I think most people in here won't like it too much.

Initial thought is that they "feel' a bit softer, but the court time will tell today.

Still on the stiffer side though? I'd prefer if it didn't become too soft.
Release in March from what I've heard?

 

[Julian.Peter]

Looking forward to getting your impressions. I am a 360+ Radical MP Player. Prefer it over the Auxetic version which is a little more dampened, less crispy. I also hit the Auxetic 2 Speeds and Extreme MP and think they are to muted. Si I don't expect the Aux 2 Radicals to be my cup of tea in terms of feel but new version of the lines I like are always interesting, so I am exciting to read what you think about it.

Have fun playtesting and thanks for your feedback in the rackets following.

 

[emhtennis]

I just wish there was a little more "art" in some of these new paintjobs. Picking the brightest highlighter neon orange and pressing "go" just feels like phoning it in.

Love the new look of the gravities and prestiges. Much less the extremes and now the radicals

 

[veelium]

Looking forward to getting your impressions. I am a 360+ Radical MP Player. Prefer it over the Auxetic version which is a little more dampened, less crispy. I also hit the Auxetic 2 Speeds and Extreme MP and think they are to muted. Si I don't expect the Aux 2 Radicals to be my cup of tea in terms of feel but new version of the lines I like are always interesting, so I am exciting to read what you think about it.

Have fun playtesting and thanks for your feedback in the rackets following.

Had the same impression about the newest Extreme MP, felt overly pillowy to me.
Last radical I thought was alright but only tried it once for a few minutes so can't say enough about 360+ vs auxetic.

 

[galapagos]

I would like to have more pocketing and dwell time. Overall softer ride. On paper Radical Pro should suit me best but the on court experience left me a bit disappointed. Not for how "bad" the racquet was but more about the lost potential of the Radical line. It's too close to the current Ezone line (which also lacks feel imo) and I understand that from business point of view it makes sense to have an answer to this market where feel is maybe not as important. BUT HEY, there is a lot of ezone Dr/Ai fans still out there

 

[Julian.Peter]

I would like to have more pocketing and dwell time. Overall softer ride. On paper Radical Pro should suit me best but the on court experience left me a bit disappointed. Not for how "bad" the racquet was but more about the lost potential of the Radical line. It's too close to the current Ezone line (which also lacks feel imo) and I understand that from business point of view it makes sense to have an answer to this market where feel is maybe not as important. BUT HEY, there is a lot of ezone Dr/Ai fans still out there

I think the last versions of Radicals were intended to be more for the short dwell time favouring point and shoot style attacking player. That was fine with both the 360+ and Auxetic models. Kind of mix between Pro Staff and Pure Strike. Not far away from Ezone 98, that's right in my opinion, in terms of overall performance, but with more consistent stringbed and far better feeling while the Ezone was more powerful and even easier to play. I think they should keep this track. It is a racquet playing very crisp and direct. For those orefereig more dwell time, there is the Prestige in the classic control racquet department and the Speed for more modern and powerful tweener style, the Gravity somewhere between. Or Wilson Blade if you like it softer and more dwell time with similar power level and control in a 98 inch head. The last two radicals are fine they way they are. It will be interesting to see what actual changes will be made. I expect more muted feel and more easy to play and stable feeling resulting from the dampening, but let's see what Head has made from the Radical.

 

[dr325i]

If the cosmetic is what was leaked, I'm a big fan even though I think most people in here won't like it too much.


Still on the stiffer side though? I'd prefer if it didn't become too soft.
Release in March from what I've heard?

they are nice and crisp but still too crisp and muted for my liking. I do not have the means to measure the RA.
GT98 measured 59RA however, it does not feel that flexy or soft, but feels plush and communicative.
The Radical MP is lighter, about 320-ish SW strung and about 33cm balance.
The Pro is more stable, heavier, close to 330SW (same strings, head poly, champagne color) and more HL

Will continue updating the rest of the week.

 

[A_Instead]

Interest in a nice comparison between the new Radical and Gravity 98..
I will buy 1 initially... likely the one with more power..

 

[galapagos]

I think the last versions of Radicals were intended to be more for the short dwell time favouring point and shoot style attacking player. That was fine with both the 360+ and Auxetic models. Kind of mix between Pro Staff and Pure Strike. Not far away from Ezone 98, that's right in my opinion, in terms of overall performance, but with more consistent stringbed and far better feeling while the Ezone was more powerful and even easier to play. I think they should keep this track. It is a racquet playing very crisp and direct. For those orefereig more dwell time, there is the Prestige in the classic control racquet department and the Speed for more modern and powerful tweener style, the Gravity somewhere between. Or Wilson Blade if you like it softer and more dwell time with similar power level and control in a 98 inch head. The last two radicals are fine they way they are. It will be interesting to see what actual changes will be made. I expect more muted feel and more easy to play and stable feeling resulting from the dampening, but let's see what Head has made from the Radical.

All true but wasnt radical a direct frame to fight against blade or actually blade made to compete with radical ? When did it change direction to focus on the ezone users. its interesting how things can change.

 

[KC!]

The only issue I had with 2023 Radical Pro was its tinny sweet spot. It has one of the most unforgiving string beds of any racquet i’ve played. I really like the direct feel though & hope the new one is a little more forgiving.

 

[gino]

they are nice and crisp but still too crisp and muted for my liking. I do not have the means to measure the RA.
GT98 measured 59RA however, it does not feel that flexy or soft, but feels plush and communicative.
The Radical MP is lighter, about 320-ish SW strung and about 33cm balance.
The Pro is more stable, heavier, close to 330SW (same strings, head poly, champagne color) and more HL

Will continue updating the rest of the week.

GT98 continues to sound like an absolute gem

 

[dr325i]

GT98 continues to sound like an absolute gem

Love it so far.

 

[mpournaras]

Love it so far.

So as a fellow Gravity Tour user... lets say I lead one up to the same spec.

I like the feel of my GTour above all else
I get enough plow.
I get enough power.
Would like a touch more spin but not at the cost of the slice.
Its stable enough.
Am not tied to 100s... have hit plenty of 98s I like.
Use VS 17/4G at 55/51 and it works great... would not love to snap that too much faster but could bump up to 16g VS

Will I get similar levels of all of that from the new GTour 98?

 

[dr325i]

So as a fellow Gravity Tour user... lets say I lead one up to the same spec.

I like the feel of my GTour above all else
I get enough plow.
I get enough power.
Would like a touch more spin but not at the cost of the slice.
Its stable enough.
Am not tied to 100s... have hit plenty of 98s I like.
Use VS 17/4G at 55/51 and it works great... would not love to snap that too much faster but could bump up to 16g VS

Will I get similar levels of all of that from the new GTour 98?

YES, but will get:
- more spin
- more power
Same stability, same control.
I would suggest to switch to the 1.30 VS as this more open pattern will eat strings faster although the GT100 was not a closed pattern either.

 

[AndrewUtz]

I just wish there was a little more "art" in some of these new paintjobs. Picking the brightest highlighter neon orange and pressing "go" just feels like phoning it in.

Love the new look of the gravities and prestiges. Much less the extremes and now the radicals

i hope next line revamp by head will be a call back to the early to mid 00’s. Full gloss, more intricate designs. **** like the mg prestige or the prince bandit triple threat or dunlop muscle weave i really miss.

 

[yourtennisfit]

As mentioned in another thread (GT98), the 2025 Radicals have arrived and I will be testing them over the next few days.
Initial thought is that they "feel' a bit softer, but the court time will tell today.
And no, I cannot post the pictures or talk about cosmetics until the time is right

Any kind of insights on the Rads yet?

 

[MatiasR]

It's very very bright.

 

[KC!]

ZZZ is playing with the new Radical paint job in the United Cup. It looks incredible to me, but I like orange

https://imgur.com/a/XdcOCuf

 

[Eilathen]

I'm sure it looks much better in real life than on photos. At least that was the case with the Extreme for me (although I still didn't like it, it looked much better in hand then on photos).

I will probably buy the outgoing MP when it hits the steep discounts

So far, I like all the Auxetic 1 racquets I played with (Prestige, Speed). Have not yet played with any Auxetic 2 stick. Although all the "more muted" lets me think I will probably be more of a Auxetic 1 person. Anyway...

 

[mpournaras]

I am positive this thing looks awesome in real life.
I bet every camera with a different white balance is struggling to capture this salmon to look the same in any 2 photos lol

The initial hit saying its more muted is a very big bummer

 

[AndrewUtz]

ZZZ is playing with the new Radical paint job in the United Cup. It looks incredible to me, but I like orange

https://imgur.com/a/XdcOCuf

only thing that would make it better is gloss

 

[Dansan]

I go back and forth between 307 and 351 and will be picking one of these when available to see how it compares w/some lead and maybe leather. Loving the color w/white OG

 

[WJ155]

I’m trying to get the old radical but the one in an 18x20 off TW europe… just waiting to see if the price drops more

 

[dr325i]

Any kind of insights on the Rads yet?

It looks good.
If you liked the previous version, you will like this one. It is stiff/crisp, but slightly softer feel than the 1.0.
The MP would need some weight (for me, but was surprised that the Lifetime tennis coach that uses the 1.0 said the same thing when she tested it).
The Pro is nicely balanced and has the mass to go straight on the court.

They are just not my type of racket. I am really enjoying the GT98 though

 

[gino]

It's very very bright.

ZZZ is playing with the new Radical paint job in the United Cup. It looks incredible to me, but I like orange

https://imgur.com/a/XdcOCuf

I am positive this thing looks awesome in real life.
I bet every camera with a different white balance is struggling to capture this salmon to look the same in any 2 photos lol

The initial hit saying its more muted is a very big bummer

Looks absolutely stellar. What a classic radical cosmetic, bright as all hell. Have to love it. Head has aced the two cosmetics for this year. Exceptionally done

It looks good.
If you liked the previous version, you will like this one. It is stiff/crisp, but slightly softer feel than the 1.0.
The MP would need some weight (for me, but was surprised that the Lifetime tennis coach that uses the 1.0 said the same thing when she tested it).
The Pro is nicely balanced and has the mass to go straight on the court.

They are just not my type of racket. I am really enjoying the GT98 though

Nice to hear it's softened up a bit and that the pro is ready-made stock. Sweet looking stick even if it is a bit on the crispy side

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

I’m trying to get the old radical but the one in an 18x20 off TW europe… just waiting to see if the price drops more

I really hope this release did well and encourages them to continue putting out unique string patterns and specs. I was (am) a little hesitant to buy it between not liking 360+ 16x19 and it coming with a tweaked mass and balance point. two things I'm not sure I'd be able to contend with simultaneously

 

[oldmanyellingatcloud]

crisp and stiff are a tough combination. it seems that the "cracked egg" feeling has been revived in the GT98 layup, though

made chicken wings for Christmas and that crisp but yielding and pliable feeling is satisfying even off the courts!

 

[gino]

crisp and stiff are a tough combination. it seems that the "cracked egg" feeling has been revived in the GT98 layup, though

made chicken wings for Christmas and that crisp but yielding and pliable feeling is satisfying even off the courts!

sounds like a great xmas, cheers

 

[Chairman3]

I like it. I'm a fan of loud paintjobs and like the monochromatic look. Enough of the two different colors or attempts at contrast.

Put that pj on the new gravity pro for me because that racquet is better.

 

[maksp]

It's very very bright.

I had to lower brightness on my phone seriously wtf

 

[tele]

ZZZ is playing with the new Radical paint job in the United Cup. It looks incredible to me, but I like orange

https://imgur.com/a/XdcOCuf

his signature paint job did not last long, but I guess that was intended to be short-lived from the start given the coming update to the line.

 

[gino]

his signature paint job did not last long, but I guess that was intended to be short-lived from the start given the coming update to the line.

lol the China Open paintjob will live in infamy forever

 

[dr325i]

Spent more time with the MP and Pro today.
Nice sticks, easy power, muted, crisp but not overly stiff. The MP felt slightly softer but is considerably lighter too. About the same power as they are. I did not modify either one.
High launch angle (higher than the GT98 for comparison).

I gave them to a few other people in the club so I’ll post their feedback shortly.

 

[Waldi]

Spent more time with the MP and Pro today.
Nice sticks, easy power, muted, crisp but not overly stiff. The MP felt slightly softer but is considerably lighter too. About the same power as they are. I did not modify either one.
High launch angle (higher than the GT98 for comparison).

I gave them to a few other people in the club so I’ll post their feedback shortly.

Higher launch angle than the GT98?
Really? now that just does not make a lick of sense....
am waiting to demo the Radical MP as the launch on the GT98 is so high ...
So confused!

 

[galapagos]

Spent more time with the MP and Pro today.
Nice sticks, easy power, muted, crisp but not overly stiff. The MP felt slightly softer but is considerably lighter too. About the same power as they are. I did not modify either one.
High launch angle (higher than the GT98 for comparison).

I gave them to a few other people in the club so I’ll post their feedback shortly.

Is the impact similarly „hollow” and „hard” like the previous radical pro?
Gravity 98 feels much more solid.
Hard to explain the feel. Most similar frame in feel (to me) is the yonex ezone 98 just to put a reference of „hollow” and „hard” for many ezone is a pillow hahah

 

[Honza]

The impact on the previous pro is not hollow at all. Its like a plow. The Ezone 98 is on another planet sir.

 

[galapagos]

The impact on the previous pro is not hollow at all. Its like a plow. The Ezone 98 is on another planet sir.

For someone like me coming from the gravity and prestige or blade well… whiteout v1 and radical pro is comparable to me in feel. ezone similar as well. Haven’t tried the newest release from yonex yet. It’s not bad that’s why I can see many players defending the radical but it’s just a bit different flex style imo.

 

[dr325i]

Higher launch angle than the GT98?
Really? now that just does not make a lick of sense....
am waiting to demo the Radical MP as the launch on the GT98 is so high ...
So confused!

It just felt like that although three things to consider:
1) They are not matched. The Radical MP has much lower SW than the GT98 (set up for my spec)
2) The Radicals have the TK82S pallets and with the GT98 I swapped the pallets to TK82. That is probably also contributing to it
3) Radicals are strung with full poly, the GT98 is strung with my standard hybrid setup

 

[dr325i]

Is the impact similarly „hollow” and „hard” like the previous radical pro?
Gravity 98 feels much more solid.
Hard to explain the feel. Most similar frame in feel (to me) is the yonex ezone 98 just to put a reference of „hollow” and „hard” for many ezone is a pillow hahah

I agree, the GT98 feels different as it is less muted and has more feedback.
The radicals do not feel hollow but do feel muted.

 

[AndrewUtz]

It just felt like that although three things to consider:
1) They are not matched. The Radical MP has much lower SW than the GT98 (set up for my spec)
2) The Radicals have the TK82S pallets and with the GT98 I swapped the pallets to TK82. That is probably also contributing to it
3) Radicals are strung with full poly, the GT98 is strung with my standard hybrid setup

what is your standard hybrid setup? also if there’s one guest i’d love to see on the tennisnerd podcast, it’s you brother.

 

[dr325i]

what is your standard hybrid setup? also if there’s one guest i’d love to see on the tennisnerd podcast, it’s you brother.

VS Babolat 1.30 / Hawk Rough

 

[HitMoreBHs]

Is the impact similarly „hollow” and „hard” like the previous radical pro?
For someone like me coming from the gravity and prestige or blade well… whiteout v1 and radical pro is comparable to me in feel. ezone similar as well. Haven’t tried the newest release from yonex yet. It’s not bad that’s why I can see many players defending the radical but it’s just a bit different flex style imo.

Same experience for me with the Radical Pro; and like you, I prefer the feel of the Prestige, Gravity and Blade. On paper, the RadPro has similar specs to a Prestige Tour, and should provide the benefits of a slightly larger hoop. Unfortunately, my own experience is that the RadPro has a smaller sweetspot and harsher (hollow and hard) impact feel, especially on off-centre contact.

RadPro Aux 1.0 was a small improvement in the feel department over 360+. Hopefully with Aux 2.0, this will be substantially better. I want to love the RadPro, I play well with it; but every time I’m off-centre, that hollow impact feel makes it a no-go. I even tried a hybrid with gut to see if that might soften things up enough but nope. Maybe a good sweetspot trainer stick for me tho…

 

[HitMoreBHs]

It's very very bright.

I can confidently say that this PJ will not have the “approved by Sir Andy” seal. Oh wait…

 

[dr325i]

I can confidently say that this PJ will not have the “approved by Sir Andy” seal. Oh wait…

Andy did not stay away from 360 PJ because of the color scheme.

 

[heavyD]

After seeing a bunch of pros using the new colors in Australia this week I'm kind of getting some old school vibes from this paint job. Looks like a classic red frame and I wish the retail version was gloss as that may rob it of some of that old school look.

 

[AndrewUtz]

Andy did not stay away from 360 PJ because of the color scheme.

superstition?

 

[AndrewUtz]

After seeing a bunch of pros using the new colors in Australia this week I'm kind of getting some old school vibes from this paint job. Looks like a classic red frame and I wish the retail version was gloss as that may rob it of some of that old school look.

yeah i agree it’s giving me old school. i though of connor’s us open run when they revealed the extreme colorway.