jdeloach
Hall of Fame
This review was put together by the one and only...jcstennis. I truly appreciate him taking the time to help me with my list of racquet requests.
**Remember, this review is strictly based on jcstennis' experience. If you disagree....write your own!**
(made in China, 98 sq", 4 1/2 grip... strung with NRG2 @ mid + 2lbs, played stock... just an overgrip)
Design/Comfort 8.5/10
The first thing you notice about this Radical and its predecessors is the PJ/color! Love it or hate it, it stands out.(Even if you are a pro with fake FXP Holes on your PJ) The finish is very good quality. Although, the PJ on my racquet was a little off-center. The paint around the Liquidmetal bumps were not in-line to the other LM bumps...oh well! I really enjoyed the classic Head head shape. Very proportioned to the rest of the racquet, the shoulders fit nice to the hoop and the beam/throat is laid out fantastic for this racquet. The throat is not too long, nor the handle too short... in other words, a very nice balance and control point. The grip is the rectangular Head grip. This pallet works well for the Radical. With as "closed" 18x20 string pattern, a more pronounced grip will help define the shot or serve you are about to make. The stock grip, HydroSorb, is a bit soft and squishy... but faired well once overwrapped. The 11 ou nce weight is quite even and balanced when stock, not too headlight. The swingweight felt very comfortable, not too light or heavy. The flex, please mind the Flexpoint marketing/strategy, was fair to good. The racquet does not play stiff, but a little dead feeling with off center shots.
Groundstrokes 8/10
This racquet delivers medium power and has nice control. Even though the power and control met my expectations... it never exceeded them. Forehands at times would sail. Spin at times was hard to dial in. Pin-point accuracy at times was not there. Ok, this happens to all of us, but i was hoping for more consistency. With my forehand i reverted back to a more "flat" shot, which worked fine. As a matter of fact the FXP Radical responded rather well to this approach. I started to dial in what this racquet wanted me to do... or would allow me to do. When hitting the sweet spot, this racquet delivers a very unique sound, more of a "deep thwack" rather than a "pop" sound! I had a hard time initialy finding my 1HBH (a top-spin, full swing back hand) with the FXP. Over a 3 week period i worked on my technique to try to get positive results. I started to find that a slice BH, with a shorter swing and follow through worked better.
Volleys 7.5/10
I feel that this racquet has good maneurverability and is a good all court racquet. Around the net, it felt a little unresponsive. I was able to find good enough control and found the racquet to be just plain stable... but not so quick and punchy. It can handle a full volley, but touch/feel near the net could be better. Overheads are nice, but you have to be positioned very well, the FXP does not react well to mishits. I played some doubles with this racquet and found i would have to "cut" at the ball around the net, rather than being quick, assertive and poised. With a little help from customization, i feel the FXP Rad could be more capable stick around the net.
Serves 9/10
Finally! I love how this stick serves. If you enjoy serving flat bombs faster than you ever have with great accuracy... well here you go. This is why i got this stick. It is very convincing, in terms of serving. This is the one aspect of the FXP Rad that stands out the most. It is very comfortable to serve with. It is very rewarding. And it delivers! My first serve speed and accuracy went up immediately. I would lick my chops when i was serving. My opponent(s) started backing up and repositioning themselves... and when i would throw in a change-up, the FXP Radical was up to the task. Second serve slices worked very well, still deceiving at a lower pace. My kick serves really started to pop. Very enjoyable!
Final thoughts
Don't let the FlexPoint Technology deter you from trying this racquet. For those who utilize a flatter stroke and are looking for a bit more pop and killer serving... try the FXP Radical Mid-Plus. Very classic feel with a touch of modern 'technology". I feel that the Flex Point Technology has given this stick and others in the Head family a bad rap! The FXP Radical has a large following, it's very apparent that this is a very solid, well made stick... even with the "schtick"! With a low stock weight and medium swingweight, there is room to customize this racquet to fit your needs. I think Head has a winner here!
Total - 8.25
**Remember, this review is strictly based on jcstennis' experience. If you disagree....write your own!**
Flexpoint Radical MidPlus Review
(made in China, 98 sq", 4 1/2 grip... strung with NRG2 @ mid + 2lbs, played stock... just an overgrip)
Design/Comfort 8.5/10
The first thing you notice about this Radical and its predecessors is the PJ/color! Love it or hate it, it stands out.(Even if you are a pro with fake FXP Holes on your PJ) The finish is very good quality. Although, the PJ on my racquet was a little off-center. The paint around the Liquidmetal bumps were not in-line to the other LM bumps...oh well! I really enjoyed the classic Head head shape. Very proportioned to the rest of the racquet, the shoulders fit nice to the hoop and the beam/throat is laid out fantastic for this racquet. The throat is not too long, nor the handle too short... in other words, a very nice balance and control point. The grip is the rectangular Head grip. This pallet works well for the Radical. With as "closed" 18x20 string pattern, a more pronounced grip will help define the shot or serve you are about to make. The stock grip, HydroSorb, is a bit soft and squishy... but faired well once overwrapped. The 11 ou nce weight is quite even and balanced when stock, not too headlight. The swingweight felt very comfortable, not too light or heavy. The flex, please mind the Flexpoint marketing/strategy, was fair to good. The racquet does not play stiff, but a little dead feeling with off center shots.
Groundstrokes 8/10
This racquet delivers medium power and has nice control. Even though the power and control met my expectations... it never exceeded them. Forehands at times would sail. Spin at times was hard to dial in. Pin-point accuracy at times was not there. Ok, this happens to all of us, but i was hoping for more consistency. With my forehand i reverted back to a more "flat" shot, which worked fine. As a matter of fact the FXP Radical responded rather well to this approach. I started to dial in what this racquet wanted me to do... or would allow me to do. When hitting the sweet spot, this racquet delivers a very unique sound, more of a "deep thwack" rather than a "pop" sound! I had a hard time initialy finding my 1HBH (a top-spin, full swing back hand) with the FXP. Over a 3 week period i worked on my technique to try to get positive results. I started to find that a slice BH, with a shorter swing and follow through worked better.
Volleys 7.5/10
I feel that this racquet has good maneurverability and is a good all court racquet. Around the net, it felt a little unresponsive. I was able to find good enough control and found the racquet to be just plain stable... but not so quick and punchy. It can handle a full volley, but touch/feel near the net could be better. Overheads are nice, but you have to be positioned very well, the FXP does not react well to mishits. I played some doubles with this racquet and found i would have to "cut" at the ball around the net, rather than being quick, assertive and poised. With a little help from customization, i feel the FXP Rad could be more capable stick around the net.
Serves 9/10
Finally! I love how this stick serves. If you enjoy serving flat bombs faster than you ever have with great accuracy... well here you go. This is why i got this stick. It is very convincing, in terms of serving. This is the one aspect of the FXP Rad that stands out the most. It is very comfortable to serve with. It is very rewarding. And it delivers! My first serve speed and accuracy went up immediately. I would lick my chops when i was serving. My opponent(s) started backing up and repositioning themselves... and when i would throw in a change-up, the FXP Radical was up to the task. Second serve slices worked very well, still deceiving at a lower pace. My kick serves really started to pop. Very enjoyable!
Final thoughts
Don't let the FlexPoint Technology deter you from trying this racquet. For those who utilize a flatter stroke and are looking for a bit more pop and killer serving... try the FXP Radical Mid-Plus. Very classic feel with a touch of modern 'technology". I feel that the Flex Point Technology has given this stick and others in the Head family a bad rap! The FXP Radical has a large following, it's very apparent that this is a very solid, well made stick... even with the "schtick"! With a low stock weight and medium swingweight, there is room to customize this racquet to fit your needs. I think Head has a winner here!
Total - 8.25
