Head Gravity MP Auxetic 2023

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
I haven't seen a lot of talk about this racquet outside of the main thread for all of the new Gravity's, even in that thread it's mostly the Pro or Tour model's. This racquet, to me, is probably one of the best I have ever used, and I have used a lot!
I bought one, and after my first hit immediately bought a second. I added 12 grams into the handles and with an overgrip, they are both 334 grams, bothy are 7.5 points headlight and both have a swingweight of 322, which is my preferred spec, but everyone is different.

Head quality control was outstanding. I was able to match each of them exactly the same.
The string set up is Wilson natural gut mains 16/ ALU power ice blue crosses 16.

This racquet is so smooth and while my set up probably isn't for everyone, it is pure butter to hit with. It plays similar to my Wilson Clash 98's V1, but has more power than the Clashes and more consistency off the stringbed a nice 22mm beam and no crappy "Fuzzy-Feel" paint job. Less floppy/wet noodle. The paint scheme is phenomenal!

I have used everything from the ProStaff 85, 95, Tour 90 (every version of the Prostaff 90 I think), the first version of the RF (red head/black throat one, which I liked the best out of all of them). I tried every version of the RF. I played the ProStaff 97S, both version's for a couple of years. I moved to the Blade V6 and on to the V7, back to the RF for a little while. The regular ProStaff 97 for a year. I went to the Clash 98 v1 for almost a year, because I wanted more easy power than the Blades.
My latest trend was the Yonex VCore 95 2023. They were interesting to me, but I never gelled with the slightly lager grip size and grip shape and I didn't like the zero butt-cap flair.

The VCores hurt my elbow after a while, so I went back the Clash 98's v1 for a month to heal up the elbow, it wasn't bad, just need a break form the new VCore's I know the RA says 61, but it doesn't feel like any 61 I've ever used and I won't be surprised if more people start complaining about sore elbows using it.

At any rate I wanted to try the Head Gravity as I had only tried the Prestige 93, which I liked but was not an ideal fit for me, but still an excellent frame.
The handle size and shape on the Head Gravity was like it was designed for my hand and felt like an extension.

Every single stroke feels better with this racquet for me. It really is the best fit for me then any racquet I have ever used.

There are tons of racquets out there for everyone, but I wanted share my opinion about this one and my experience with it. My racquet search is done and maybe they are really similar to the previous versions and that's why not much is being said about them, but I wanted to get this out there for people read ( VCore 2023 user's).

It's hard to see the ice blue ALU, but it kind of shows up in the tie-off's.

xpfUhIh.jpg
 
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Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
the 16x20 is enticing I just wish the unstrung weight was like 305. It seems like the perfect racket to have that 305/310 weight

Yeah, I don’t know how it plays stock, because I immediately put 12 grams in the handles. So my preferred balance dictated adding more weight.
If I subtract the weight of the strings 18gm and 5 gm for the overgrip, 2 gm for the dampener, the frame alone is at around 308 with my added weight in there.
 
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SupahMan5000

Hall of Fame
I’ve probably turned mine into that, except in a 16x20 string pattern, which feels really nice BTW.
As you said, they are very fun and I am always looking forward to going out and hitting with them. Personally, my search is over.
I like a slightly tighter 18x20 so I don't think the GMP will fit the bill, but i really want to compare the GT and GP to the 97D and my current setup so the GMP sounds fun to also toss in
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
I like a slightly tighter 18x20 so I don't think the GMP will fit the bill, but i really want to compare the GT and GP to the 97D and my current setup so the GMP sounds fun to also toss in

I didn't think it was going to fit the bill either at that weight, but I was like, "Eh, what the heck!?" and gave it a shot, knowing I would be customizing it. It was a happy accident, because I wasn't crazy about the Speed MP.
My wife uses those, but now she wants a Gravity in her grip size...and weighted up the same. So you never know I guess.
I just wanted to do this write up for anyone that was interested or on the fence about it.
 

NYTennisNut

New User
Thank you so much for this write-up. Really timely for me, as I've been on a similar search and looking at the Speed MP and Gravity MP.

Tested them both (albeit with demo's from local store so not exactly to my spec) and the Gravity felt and performed better. Something just felt right and seemed to click. Plus was a lot easier on my arm. I tend to play an all-court, aggressive game, and not just focused on defensive baseline rallies. Kept reading about how the Speed was the better all-round racquet, and Gravity was more defensive, spin friendly, etc. Glad to get some more perspective. Going to add a leather grip plus OG to get the weight up a bit, and keep it head-light like you have.
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
Thank you so much for this write-up. Really timely for me, as I've been on a similar search and looking at the Speed MP and Gravity MP.

Tested them both (albeit with demo's from local store so not exactly to my spec) and the Gravity felt and performed better. Something just felt right and seemed to click. Plus was a lot easier on my arm. I tend to play an all-court, aggressive game, and not just focused on defensive baseline rallies. Kept reading about how the Speed was the better all-round racquet, and Gravity was more defensive, spin friendly, etc. Glad to get some more perspective. Going to add a leather grip plus OG to get the weight up a bit, and keep it head-light like you have.

Yeah, I tried my wife's Speed MP's and they were just OK to me, kind of tinny/hollow feeling to me. She wants the Gravity MP's now, after using one of mine. I tried the Speed Pro for a quick bit and it was solid in every way, but felt kind of sluggish to get moving, a good frame, but not for me.
Good luck to you in your journey.
 

johnmccabe

Hall of Fame
your spec is very similar to what I would do if I get a GMP.

how does the sweet spot feel and is it forgiving on off center hits? Looking at the racquets you used in the past, very interested in how you would compare GMP vs blade? For example on return of serve and volley when you don't always hit in the center, does GMP still send the ball over the net?

does it feel as maneuverable/whippy as blade and vcore 95?
 
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Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
your spec is very similar to what I would do if I get a GMP.

how does the sweet spot feel and is it forgiving on off center hits? Looking at the racquets you used in the past, very interested in how you would compare GMP vs blade? For example on return of serve and volley when you don't always hit in the center, does GMP still send the ball over the net?

does it feel as maneuverable/whippy as blade and vcore 95?

I'll see if I can answer these.

The sweet spot feels more easy to find than my Blades 16x19, although, the sweet spot feels a bit more towards the head. So good spacing is helpful.

Everything about it I like better than my Blade's. I think it's a bit more stable than the Blade's on ROS, but more forgiving. My son hits 100mph serves so that's where I am coming from on my returns comment.

Volleys are WAY!!! better feeling with this racquet than the Blade's, which is the one shot I wasn't crazy about with Blade's. Heck even my stretched out forehand squash shot's are feeling good.
Backhand's are as smooth as butter and the confidence to trust your stroke, and just swing away.

Serves are solid, but this racquet, or my string set up in it is sort of loud.

It's more whippy/faster to swing than the Blade by just a little, but not as fast as the VCore 95 through the air, but the VCore 95 is a no-go for me as I wrote above.
The Gravity is much more enjoyable to hit with than the VCore 95 for me, and my elbow is happy again. Not sure why the VCore's didn't agree with my elbow.

I think that covers everything.
 

Casper777

Professional
The Gravity MP is amazing... I've settled to this frame for this season...

I have two and chose some overspeced ones around 300gr and it's perfect. SW is around 327 with overgrip and dampener.

I just ordered a third one to experiment strings.

The 2 main ones will be strung with TopSpin Cyber Blue 120 at 22kg :)
 

johnmccabe

Hall of Fame
I'll see if I can answer these.

The sweet spot feels more easy to find than my Blades 16x19, although, the sweet spot feels a bit more towards the head. So good spacing is helpful.

Everything about it I like better than my Blade's. I think it's a bit more stable than the Blade's on ROS, but more forgiving. My son hits 100mph serves so that's where I am coming from on my returns comment.

Volleys are WAY!!! better feeling with this racquet than the Blade's, which is the one shot I wasn't crazy about with Blade's. Heck even my stretched out forehand squash shot's are feeling good.
Backhand's are as smooth as butter and the confidence to trust your stroke, and just swing away.

Serves are solid, but this racquet, or my string set up in it is sort of loud.

It's more whippy/faster to swing than the Blade by just a little, but not as fast as the VCore 95 through the air, but the VCore 95 is a no-go for me as I wrote above.
The Gravity is much more enjoyable to hit with than the VCore 95 for me, and my elbow is happy again. Not sure why the VCore's didn't agree with my elbow.

I think that covers everything.
shoot, I want one now...
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
The Gravity MP is amazing... I've settled to this frame for this season...

I have two and chose some overspeced ones around 300gr and it's perfect. SW is around 327 with overgrip and dampener.

I just ordered a third one to experiment strings.

The 2 main ones will be strung with TopSpin Cyber Blue 120 at 22kg :)

Awesome, I haven't really seen anyone talking about them, so that's why I did this write up.
 

Casper777

Professional
I also come from heavier more demanding frames (tf40 315, pro staff v13, regna 98...)

I was reluctant trying the Gravity MP and had the impression to regress to a lighter frame for intermediate.

I was so wrong!! This is a forgiving but player frame, super control oriented and medium powered.

Definitely reminds me of a more powerful and more forgiving VCore Pro 97.

I've never made so few mistakes with a racket. And I serve at 170km/h (swingvision source haha) with it!! :) :)
 

Casper777

Professional
Anyone can compare the 2021 model against the new version? Looks like they lowered the RA even more. I like the slightly higher RA but prefer the new pj

I have both a much prefer the Auxetic one...

Yes it has a lower RA but I can assure you the 2021 model feels more noodlely !! The Auxetic one is much more stable and feels mor solid despite the lower flex. Yes it pockets the ball extremely well but it isn't flimsy like the 2021 model...
 
I haven't seen a lot of talk about this racquet outside of the main thread for all of the new Gravity's, even in that thread it's mostly the Pro or Tour model's. This racquet, to me, is probably one of the best I have ever used, and I have used a lot!
I bought one, and after my first hit immediately bought a second. I added 12 grams into the handles and with an overgrip, they are both 334 grams, bothy are 7.5 points headlight and both have a swingweight of 322, which is my preferred spec, but everyone is different.

Head quality control was outstanding. I was able to match each of them exactly the same.
The string set up is Wilson natural gut mains 16/ ALU power ice blue crosses 16.

This racquet is so smooth and while my set up probably isn't for everyone, it is pure butter to hit with. It plays similar to my Wilson Clash 98's V1, but has more power than the Clashes and more consistency off the stringbed a nice 22mm beam and no crappy "Fuzzy-Feel" paint job. Less floppy/wet noodle. The paint scheme is phenomenal!

I have used everything from the ProStaff 85, 95, Tour 90 (every version of the Prostaff 90 I think), the first version of the RF (red head/black throat one, which I liked the best out of all of them). I tried every version of the RF. I played the ProStaff 97S, both version's for a couple of years. I moved to the Blade V6 and on to the V7, back to the RF for a little while. The regular ProStaff 97 for a year. I went to the Clash 98 v1 for almost a year, because I wanted more easy power than the Blades.
My latest trend was the Yonex VCore 95 2023. They were interesting to me, but I never gelled with the slightly lager grip size and grip shape and I didn't like the zero butt-cap flair.

The VCores hurt my elbow after a while, so I went back the Clash 98's v1 for a month to heal up the elbow, it wasn't bad, just need a break form the new VCore's I know the RA says 61, but it doesn't feel like any 61 I've ever used and I won't be surprised if more people start complaining about sore elbows using it.

At any rate I wanted to try the Head Gravity as I had only tried the Prestige 93, which I liked but was not an ideal fit for me, but still an excellent frame.
The handle size and shape on the Head Gravity was like it was designed for my hand and felt like an extension.

Every single stroke feels better with this racquet for me. It really is the best fit for me then any racquet I have ever used.

There are tons of racquets out there for everyone, but I wanted share my opinion about this one and my experience with it. My racquet search is done and maybe they are really similar to the previous versions and that's why not much is being said about them, but I wanted to get this out there for people read ( VCore 2023 user's).

It's hard to see the ice blue ALU, but it kind of shows up in the tie-off's.

xpfUhIh.jpg
The Gravity MP is actually the only new model of any brand I would actually like to try. I like the 22mm beam a la Pro Kennex Ki5 295 and love the 16*20 patterns. Actually lead strips at 9 and 3 look great.
 

johnmccabe

Hall of Fame
How about the launch angle? How does it compare with blade 16x19 vcore pro 97 and vcore 95, or any other popular control frame
 

NYTennisNut

New User
Thanks to everyone for sharing your views. After more testing, this is now going to be the racquet for the season for me. Great feel, very good balance of power, spin and control, easy on the arm with a nice old-school feel of pocketing.

Initial set-up - Stock Gravity MP, leather grip (to bump total weight by 8-10gms) + OG, VS Touch 15g in mains and 16 g in crosses @52. Will likely add some weight at 9 and 12 after playing with this for a couple of weeks.
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
How about the launch angle? How does it compare with blade 16x19 vcore pro 97 and vcore 95, or any other popular control frame

Somewhere in between an RF and a Blade 16x19, closer to the Blade. I have never used a VCore pro 97. The 2023 VCore 95 has a huge launch angle to me, so the VCore 95 is in a league all by itself, of the ones you’re asking about.
 
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Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
The Gravity MP is actually the only new model of any brand I would actually like to try. I like the 22mm beam a la Pro Kennex Ki5 295 and love the 16*20 patterns. Actually lead strips at 9 and 3 look great.

It's interesting that he wound up at the same static weight as I did, I'm sure the balance is different though, because I didn't add any weight to the hoop. Also, he put his buttcap trap door on upside down, there's actually a space/opening there when it's correct, so that you can pry under it more.
 
It's interesting that he wound up at the same static weight as I did, I'm sure the balance is different though, because I didn't add any weight to the hoop. Also, he put his buttcap trap door on upside down, there's actually a space/opening there when it's correct, so that you can pry under it more.
My 16*20 Pro Kennex Ki5 295 is 323 grams. The previous owner had some strips of lead in the handle which I removed.
The only think about these 100 sq inch rackets is that the one-handed backhand can feel quite lagging. The Diadem Nova FS100 is faster thought the air on my 1hbh but is a bit too powerful overall. The Ki5 295 and maybe this Gravity MP could be what I look for eventually in 100 sq inch.
The Speed MP impressed me a lot, but still the 1hbh felt weird. 2-handed was great.
I also prefer the 98s for the easier serves..
Wish I could play more often to be able to use all these in turns.
 

Rally

Professional
@Fxanimator1 Since you're an elder statesman to the PS85 and PS90, how big of a downgrade is the Gravity in the feel department? I'm having a renewed love affair with the PS85 right now because I missed the crisp communicative connectedness I've only felt with a Wilson mid. The few racquets I've hit with in between have all been letdowns enough for me to miss the 85 on every shot. Meanwhile I've heard a lot that the feel from the Gravity line is extremely vague, muted, dampened, and disconnected. Is there any truth to this?
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
@Fxanimator1 Since you're an elder statesman to the PS85 and PS90, how big of a downgrade is the Gravity in the feel department? I'm having a renewed love affair with the PS85 right now because I missed the crisp communicative connectedness I've only felt with a Wilson mid. The few racquets I've hit with in between have all been letdowns enough for me to miss the 85 on every shot. Meanwhile I've heard a lot that the feel from the Gravity line is extremely vague, muted, dampened, and disconnected. Is there any truth to this?

Honestly, it's been so many years since I brought one of my 85's out that I don't really remember it as well as if I had hit with it yesterday, and it's because my game itself has changed so much through the years.

The Gravity feels connected to me though and I can feel ball pocketing quite well. The flex it has is NOT like the rubbery flex of a Clash though, it's very predictable, similar the old mid's in a way.
I wasn't expecting to bond with this racquet as much as I have to be honest. It's different than the 85's and the 90's for sure, but not in a bad way for me at this point in time.

"Disconnected" might mean different things to different people, but to me, this thing feels like an extension of my arm more than anything I have used and only that 85 felt that way really. It feels different than the 85's but also shares that trait IMO.

The whole reason for me making this thread was to inform people that this was a really nice frame that didn't seem to be getting much attention.
I've neve made a thread like this before because I have never had a frame that I thought was so impressive. I was one of the 10? playtesters for the RF V11 (first black one) and that's one of the few times of reported on a frame.
 

Casper777

Professional
The 16x20 pattern fits really that frame. I just ordered a 3rd one, like the 2 other slightly overspeced (299gr). will make it 300 with tungsten in the handle and should have a 326 SW once strung with an OG and dampeneer. Definitely not a beginner frame with those speced. I also dont understand the "unstable" comments about this one, unless you were not lucky and got a 292gr lemon...

Funny enough, my Gravity Pro has a 323 SW (313gr unstrung) and I put some Polyfibre Hightech Premium 115 strings that removes quite a bit of SW... haha so yes without being extreme with over / underspeced and mods you can have a MP with a higher SW than a Pro :)
 
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jackcrawford

Professional
Yeah, I don’t know how it plays stock, because I immediately put 12 grams in the handles. So my preferred balance dictated adding more weight.
If I subtract the weight of the strings 18gm and 5 gm for the overgrip, 2 gm for the dampener, the frame alone is at around 308 with my added weight in there.
12 grams of silicon? Or metal tape under the grip?
 

Ross K

Legend
I have both a much prefer the Auxetic one...

Yes it has a lower RA but I can assure you the 2021 model feels more noodlely !! The Auxetic one is much more stable and feels mor solid despite the lower flex. Yes it pockets the ball extremely well but it isn't flimsy like the 2021 model...
Interesting... ahhh... Have gradually come around to liking the older version more and more. Currently and after elbowing out quite a lot of other options, I've got it in competition now with the Speed Pro - but I may well have to investigate the Auxetic because 'much more stable and solid' quote sounds up my street.

Speed Pro... older Grav MP... the Grav Pro... I really rate all these frames and like how they seem to link with the great feel Head frames of the past, but have an added modern twist or aspect to them.
 

WYK

Hall of Fame
The 16x20 pattern fits really that frame. I just ordered a 3rd one, like the 2 other slightly overspeced (299gr). will make it 300 with tungsten in the handle and should have a 326 SW once strung with an OG and dampeneer. Definitely not a beginner frame with those speced. I also dont understand the "unstable" comments about this one, unless you were not lucky and got a 292gr lemon...

Funny enough, my Gravity Pro has a 323 SW (313gr unstrung) and I put some Polyfibre Hightech Premium 115 strings that removes quite a bit of SW... haha so yes without being extreme with over / underspeced and mods you can have a MP with a higher SW than a Pro :)

If they made a Pro with a 16X20 pattern, I would be all over it ;)
 

Fxanimator1

Hall of Fame
12 grams of silicon? Or metal tape under the grip?

I used needle-nosed pliers to break off the ends of the staples inside the handle and then weighed out the stuff pictured below.
Once I had the desired amount, I rolled it into a cylinder shape about 3 inches long, folded it at the center and slid each end into
each cell in the handle. The buttcap smashes the center and keeps both ends inside the cells of the handle in place when you reinstall it.


00398401.jpg
 

naturalexponent

Hall of Fame
Wow the MP is a ton of fun to hit with.

Agree 100% and more with @Fxanimator1 on the OHBH. Just let it flow. Feels like it's impossible to hit a bad OHBH with it. So natural to hit on the rise, drive, spin, come through quickly when you feel like you're going to be late, slice, everything. This is messing up everything I thought I had settled! Except I can't yet get enough juice on serve.
 
Ok after reading this thread, I really have to get one to try. Now I have Gravity Pro but I don't like 18x20 that much - have issues on topspin forehand and service power. Also, I prefer 305g than 315g. The Tour looks good on paper but didn't translate into the court for me tho. I hope the MP with customization can get it done!
Like I've said before, it's the only big-brand racket I'm interested in. Mostly because of the 16*20 and the looks!
 

Tan Tennis

Rookie
Like I've said before, it's the only big-brand racket I'm interested in. Mostly because of the 16*20 and the looks!
Do you think it needs lead at 3 and 9? I played with previous gen of Gravity MP before and I think the racket face is quite unstable.
I know Auxetic should help with that but what do you think about the stability compared to, let's say the Blade.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
 
Do you think it needs lead at 3 and 9? I played with previous gen of Gravity MP before and I think the racket face is quite unstable.
I know Auxetic should help with that but what do you think about the stability compared to, let's say the Blade.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I've never used a Gravity. I'd say, of course play it in stock form and don't go prejudiced with it. Don't read anything and just come back with what you think about it. Maybe some string suggestions only.

I have to say the Tennis Viking customization clip looked very tempting for me. Lead looks great on this frame.
 

jablojimski

Rookie
Gravity MP Auxetic is basically Head's version of the Clash. Too noodle-y for me but for those with arm issues, it has decent pop, maneuverability, and stability. I added some weight at 3 and 9 and used a leather grip and that helped, but just overall too soft when dealing with lots of pace.

I enjoyed the Blade 98 more because you got a bit more feel and stability. I mostly use a Gravity Pro 360+ and just picked up a Tour 360+ for a lighter weight option but haven't used it much yet.
 
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