First thoughts - Head Extreme/Extreme Pro

[The Ball Matters]

Not a full-fleged review - just some thoughts (I only hit the racquets for 10 minutes each yesterday).

As a backdrop, I currently play FXP Prestige stock, FXP Radical stock and FXP Radical weighted to be what I call "Prestige Jr." I work a lot of hours so I pick the frame that corresponds with how tired I am that day.

Extreme and Extreme Pro had a very similar feel, with the Extreme Pro obviously feeling a little more stable due to the extra mass. That said, for a 295G racquet, the Extreme felt VERY stable!!!!!!

A very non Head-like feel. A very unique feel. I'd call it stiff for lack of a better term, but not in the traditional sense of being stiff. Stiff, but nice (coming from someone who prefers flexible frames such as Prestige and Radical). The Head Advertisement claiming "Rock Solid" feel is definitely accurate.

I immediately thought of a cross between the PD and the n6.1 95.

Good Power on both frames - definitely more than Prestige and Radical. Power level similar to Pure Drive, maybe slightly less power than the equivalent PD (comparing Extreme to regular PD and Extreme Pro to PD Roddick).

16 Main pattern seemed very controllable (I normally don't even care to try racquets with 16 main patterns as I strongly prefer 18 mains).

Volleys - Control was at least on par with that of my normal Prestige/Radical - but with much more effortless power - nice!!

Spin potential was very nice (something I normally don't value much from a frame but rather just use a thinner gauge string) but the spin was so effortless - a slight adjustment produced a noticeable increase in spin whereas I am used to more drastically adjusting in order to increase spin.

Just from my gut feel, I'd guess the Extreme Pro to have a swingweight of about 335.

In summary, this seems like a nice job by Head. I did not think I would be interested in a 100 sq. in, 16 main racquet with more power than the Prestige/Radical, but this racquet is definitely worth an extended try.

 

[kerplunker]

Should I wait for this to come out or should I just go with the FXP Prestige MP as I am planning on doing now.

 

[The Ball Matters]

Are you considering switching to the Prestige? What do you play now?

If you don't want more power, I'd go ahead. If you are interested in more power then I'd wait and try it. The biggest reasons I like the Prestige (when I am feeling good that is) are the volleys and the stability from the baseline to be able to handle balls with pace and weight. The Prestige is tremendous in those regards, but the Extreme seems it may be strong in those categories too - at least based on my 10 minutes hitting with it this morning.

 

[kerplunker]

Oh, well I play with the Radical OS and am stepping up to the FXP Prestige. I play mostly doubles and find that the prestige really suits me well. The Extreme Pro sounds like a great singles racket. I'll check it out when it comes out. But a Microgel Prestige sound be very nice I hope! Thats something I look forward to.

 

[Sagittar]

Oh, well I play with the Radical OS and am stepping up to the FXP Prestige. I play mostly doubles and find that the prestige really suits me well. The Extreme Pro sounds like a great singles racket. I'll check it out when it comes out. But a Microgel Prestige sound be very nice I hope! Thats something I look forward to.

judging from your background would you rate the radical OS as a more forgiving racquet with a bigger sweetspot than players racquets ?

 

[Viper]

===edited===

 

[tennisguy11]

If you like the prestige, there is no reason to wait

 

[Sagittar]

whats the headsize?

100 inch..

 

[kerplunker]

judging from your background would you rate the radical OS as a more forgiving racquet with a bigger sweetspot than players racquets ?

Well, the radical could be considered a players racket, or a tweener forgiving racket. It depends on how you use it. With heavy topspin and baseline play this could be a very damaging racket. Add some weight to it and its a fantastic racket. If you like larger head sizes its good, but thats what I dislike about it. I play at the net alot and it wasnt cutting it. Its not as forgiving as you would expect. For the prices you can find them, they are a great racket to play around with.

 

[kerplunker]

I just got two FXP Prestiges NEW for 250 shipped.

 

[The Ball Matters]

Oh, well I play with the Radical OS and am stepping up to the FXP Prestige. I play mostly doubles and find that the prestige really suits me well. The Extreme Pro sounds like a great singles racket. I'll check it out when it comes out. But a Microgel Prestige sound be very nice I hope! Thats something I look forward to.

Look for microgel prestige second half of '07.

 

[Sagittar]

Well, the radical could be considered a players racket, or a tweener forgiving racket. It depends on how you use it. With heavy topspin and baseline play this could be a very damaging racket. Add some weight to it and its a fantastic racket. If you like larger head sizes its good, but thats what I dislike about it. I play at the net alot and it wasnt cutting it. Its not as forgiving as you would expect. For the prices you can find them, they are a great racket to play around with.

thanks man ..

 

[kerplunker]

Look for microgel prestige second half of '07.

WHAT? That soon? How do you know?

 

[kerplunker]

thanks man ..

Anytime. Anymore questions I'll be sure to answer.

 

[mqtennis]

what are the specs on the extreme pro?

 

[The Ball Matters]

what are the specs on the extreme pro?

11.1 unstrung, 100 s.i., 27 in., 16 main, about 335 swingweight (my guess after a 10 minute hit)

 

[kerplunker]

How do you know about the Microgel Prestige?????

 

[The Ball Matters]

WHAT? That soon? How do you know?

Yes, could be as early as end of summer but almost certainly by end of year. Can't reveal how I know - sorry.

 

[mqtennis]

The Ball Matters - is it a 16x18 or 16x19 string pattern the extreme pro?

 

[kerplunker]

Yes, could be as early as end of summer but almost certainly by end of year. Can't reveal how I know - sorry.

Aw man, you = party pooper. God I hope its amazing. And I am buying FXP Prestiges now...hope I dont make a mistake.

 

[The Ball Matters]

The Ball Matters - is it a 16x18 or 16x19 string pattern the extreme pro?

19 crosses

 

[The Ball Matters]

Aw man, you = party pooper. God I hope its amazing. And I am buying FXP Prestiges now...hope I dont make a mistake.

If you like the racquet now - you are not making a mistake. if you like the microgel pretige later and decide to switch - no biggie - just one of the costs of playing tennis...

 

[wao]

Not a full-fleged review - just some thoughts (I only hit the racquets for 10 minutes each yesterday).

As a backdrop, I currently play FXP Prestige stock, FXP Radical stock and FXP Radical weighted to be what I call "Prestige Jr." I work a lot of hours so I pick the frame that corresponds with how tired I am that day.

Extreme and Extreme Pro had a very similar feel, with the Extreme Pro obviously feeling a little more stable due to the extra mass. That said, for a 295G racquet, the Extreme felt VERY stable!!!!!!

A very non Head-like feel. A very unique feel. I'd call it stiff for lack of a better term, but not in the traditional sense of being stiff. Stiff, but nice (coming from someone who prefers flexible frames such as Prestige and Radical). The Head Advertisement claiming "Rock Solid" feel is definitely accurate.

I immediately thought of a cross between the PD and the n6.1 95.

Good Power on both frames - definitely more than Prestige and Radical. Power level similar to Pure Drive, maybe slightly less power than the equivalent PD (comparing Extreme to regular PD and Extreme Pro to PD Roddick).

16 Main pattern seemed very controllable (I normally don't even care to try racquets with 16 main patterns as I strongly prefer 18 mains).

Volleys - Control was at least on par with that of my normal Prestige/Radical - but with much more effortless power - nice!!

Spin potential was very nice (something I normally don't value much from a frame but rather just use a thinner gauge string) but the spin was so effortless - a slight adjustment produced a noticeable increase in spin whereas I am used to more drastically adjusting in order to increase spin.

Just from my gut feel, I'd guess the Extreme Pro to have a swingweight of about 335.

In summary, this seems like a nice job by Head. I did not think I would be interested in a 100 sq. in, 16 main racquet with more power than the Prestige/Radical, but this racquet is definitely worth an extended try.

With the weight of 11.1 and I thought I heard it was 10pts HL I would have expected the SW lower. GREAT POST. Can't wait to hit with them.

 

[cys19]

19 crosses

How does the difference of a single cross affect play?

 

[Page_Boy]

"The Ball Matters" any idea when the microgel prestige is comming out or when the pros will start using it
Thnx

 

[cys19]

The Ball Matters, any word on the Microgel Radical and if anyone on the ATP is going to use it?

 

[dacrymn]

Whoa....and Pure Drive-like Prestige.....gonna be weird. BTW, what line of microgel is jlubicic using now? Radical?
________
ios games

 

[The Ball Matters]

With the weight of 11.1 and I thought I heard it was 10pts HL I would have expected the SW lower. GREAT POST. Can't wait to hit with them.

The SW could be lower - just my gut from a 10 minute hit. Possibly part of my reason for guessing the SW to be 335 is the tremendous stability of the racquet.

 

[The Ball Matters]

How does the difference of a single cross affect play?

Well, the pattern is not quite as open, so al ittle more control and not quite as tough on strings. This racquet could easily be a string-breaker though.

 

[The Ball Matters]

"The Ball Matters" any idea when the microgel prestige is comming out or when the pros will start using it
Thnx

My source says second half of '07. The US open would be a likely time to see pros using a new racquet.

 

[The Ball Matters]

The Ball Matters, any word on the Microgel Radical and if anyone on the ATP is going to use it?

No word - guessing here - maybe Andy Murray since he still has an i.Radical and would seem that with his success Head will force him to have a different paintjob.

Also Fabrice Santoro. If I saw correctly as he limped through a 6-1 fifth set loss, Grosjean had a Radical...

 

[The Ball Matters]

Whoa....and Pure Drive-like Prestige.....gonna be weird. BTW, what line of microgel is jlubicic using now? Radical?

Lubi is using the Extreme Pro - the only racquet with microgel technology made so far. As stated before, expect Radical and Prestige later in the year...

 

[kerplunker]

i am suprised they are still going to call it the radical with agassi gone

 

[The Ball Matters]

The racquet has been too successful and has had too long a following/history to change it. That would be a bad move. The radical is one of the standards of tennis racquets.

 

[cys19]

The radical is one of the standards of tennis racquets.

How so? The flex? The dense string pattern?

 

[tennisguy11]

The Ball Matters, I doubt a microgel prestige would be coming out in 07, as in the past the prestige frames have all come out about a year after after the release of the radical, am I wrong?

 

[Noveson]

How so? The flex? The dense string pattern?

I don't think because of it specs, just the history it has. The Prestige and PD don't have specs any different from a lot of racquets, but they are he standard of racquets of their kind. The Radical just has a history of great racquets and people will keep buying them even without Agassi.

 

[cys19]

Nothing can beat its shininess factor.

 

[jace112]

Played with both Extreme and Extreme Pro tonight.

My friend and I had the same thoughts about the 2 frames. My friend is 5 to 5.5 and I should be something like 4 to 4.5 on a good day. He's using a FXP Rad MP, and I currently use both APD and Rad OS Agassi.

First of of all they do require a good dampener. Vibrate a lot without.

The Pro looks of course like a PDR, maybe with smaller boat-like feel. You need a good arm to use it. Great serves... Very stable. We played less time with it.

The Extreme std is easier to move than a PD. Very solid too. I have to say that I should have a PD at the same time to notice big differences. Maybe a bit less powerful than the PD.

Both frames have a very weird shape. But it works, not many off centers.

I'll play more this week end with the 2 frames.

 

[jace112]

More about the Extreme. I ended playing with it because I broke with my APD during my last tournament.

Extreme vs PD:

Extreme :
+ maneuverability
+ volleys (more headlight)
+ spin (because its head feels lighter, lower SW)

PD
+ serve
+ power
+ less vibration (with Cortex)

I really enjoyed playing with the Extreme

 

[John Galt]

I have played the Extreme Pro for the past three weeks (over 20 hours) and continue to enjoy the frame. The racquet has a great sweetspot and consistent stringbead and has power to spare.......BUT it is not out of control by any means, especially with its great spin capability. I am starting to really get in a groove with its serving...flat bombs/kickers..and it is very maneuverable and stable at net. Also a good baseline stick and great with slice bh's. I was a little hesitant to even try this racquet due to its stiffness but is provides good feedback and I have had no arm issue. The frame I am using is strung with NXT Tour 17 at 60 lbs. I know that this racquet (as all frames) is not for everyone but I am a 4.5+ all court player and will be switching to this frame from the T10 V-Engine MP.

 

[HEADblade]

I have played the Extreme Pro for the past three weeks (over 20 hours) and continue to enjoy the frame. The racquet has a great sweetspot and consistent stringbead and has power to spare.......BUT it is not out of control by any means, especially with its great spin capability. I am starting to really get in a groove with its serving...flat bombs/kickers..and it is very maneuverable and stable at net. Also a good baseline stick and great with slice bh's. I was a little hesitant to even try this racquet due to its stiffness but is provides good feedback and I have had no arm issue. The frame I am using is strung with NXT Tour 17 at 60 lbs. I know that this racquet (as all frames) is not for everyone but I am a 4.5+ all court player and will be switching to this frame from the T10 V-Engine MP.

tel me more about this racquet. i just bought it. i have a heavy topspin forehand that has power behind it. also a pretty good powerful flat forehand.
i want a string that wont break quickly & does not interfere with my topspin FH