Head Pro Tour 2.0 - Ask Us All Your Questions! (podcast now here!)

[Starsailor84]

You're wrong. If you want to be technical, the sweet spot is actually a single point in ALL racquets, called the point of percussion. It has no size and it's location depends on the way mass is distributed along the frame. When players talk about the size of the sweet spot, it has to do with how comfortable the racquet feels when the ball is slightly off-center, and just as you said, adding lead makes the racquet more stable on off-center hits. What does increased stability "feel" like? It equates to a larger sweet spot. Have you ever added lead at 3 and 9? I added 4g to the PT 2.0 and it definitely makes the sweet spot feel slightly bigger. Adding mass at the 3 and 9 location decreases both vibration amplitude and vibration frequency on off-center hits; again, this equates to a "larger" sweet spot.

Thank you for the explanation, which I found very useful. I will experiment with lead as soon as I replace trimmed grommets with clean non CAP Microgel Radical.But in theory, shouldn’t the lead at 3 and 9 make PT 2.0 less spin friendly? It’s not a spin friendly racket by it’s DNA, and i am worried it will reduce spin potential even further.

 

[Boubi]

You're wrong. If you want to be technical, the sweet spot is actually a single point in ALL racquets, called the point of percussion. It has no size and it's location depends on the way mass is distributed along the frame. When players talk about the size of the sweet spot, it has to do with how comfortable the racquet feels when the ball is slightly off-center, and just as you said, adding lead makes the racquet more stable on off-center hits. What does increased stability "feel" like? It equates to a larger sweet spot. Have you ever added lead at 3 and 9? I added 4g to the PT 2.0 and it definitely makes the sweet spot feel slightly bigger. Adding mass at the 3 and 9 location decreases both vibration amplitude and vibration frequency on off-center hits; again, this equates to a "larger" sweet spot.

The sweet spots are not ''points''. There are three zones in fact, one in the middle, one near the throat and an ''enveloppe'' of points located near the tip

 

[PistolPete23]

The sweet spots are not ''points''. There are three zones in fact, one in the middle, one near the throat and an ''enveloppe'' of points located near the tip

??? The center of percussion is defined as a point. Not sure if you’re being sarcastic, but I’ve never heard of 3 separate sweet spots ever. No racquet I’ve ever played with had 3 sweet spots.

 

[vsbabolat]

Yeah, but you don't get a whole crowd of in denial apologists with say the Pure Aero. This Pure Aero is pretty stiff and hollow feeling....Sure is! Can it be a bit wild? Over the trees man! etc etc. Whereas with this PT 2.0, look at some of the replies. Bit hard work this racquet....It's just your bad footwork! You have no place using a racquet like this! Hey the sweetspot is really small...Nah, just add lots of lead it will be like a Big Bubba.....Nobody uses a 95 these days. Nonsense, I won the O50s 3.5 nationals using a 90!! etc etc.

The only objective review is the one below:

Number 1 player in the world uses 95, Taylor Fritz uses 95, Stan Wawrinka really uses 95, shapovalov uses 95, Delpo uses 95, Cilic uses 93. Don’t worry I’m not a 3.5 I’m a little higher and yeah I was playing nationals and an ITF run tournament with my 89.5.

 

[PistolPete23]

Yeah, but you don't get a whole crowd of in denial apologists with say the Pure Aero. This Pure Aero is pretty stiff and hollow feeling....Sure is! Can it be a bit wild? Over the trees man! etc etc. Whereas with this PT 2.0, look at some of the replies. Bit hard work this racquet....It's just your bad footwork! You have no place using a racquet like this! Hey the sweetspot is really small...Nah, just add lots of lead it will be like a Big Bubba.....Nobody uses a 95 these days. Nonsense, I won the O50s 3.5 nationals using a 90!! etc etc.

The only objective review is the one below:

I watched the entire video and the overall feeling isn't negative towards the racquet at all. The gist of it was that the reviewers thought it's a very good racquet that's not for beginners; the RF97a is also a good racquet that's not for beginners. You need to be in a good shape and have sound mechanics to bring out the best in the frame; nothing that I disagree with. They also say nothing about the deficiencies of it being 95 sq. in.

 

[Kal-El 34]

He was ranked 120 in the world, and he has to buy his own racquets??

To be sure it's a special kind of player that can play his best tennis with 350g+ 95sq in frame.

i'm not 100% certain what his racket deal is so won't say too much since i'm not positive. Maybe should have said acquired rather than bought I apologize

what I do know is he has been playing pro stock frames in various lay ups for awhile and ordered a ton of these. I don't know if he got them direct from Head or just off of TW but I do know he currently has a truckload of them all matched up and claims to be playing his best tennis in a long long time. Haven't seen first hand as Covid derailed a lot of my summer tennis plans

also just because you had a ranking doesn't mean you automatically just get stuff. I know a ton of players that were ranked considerably higher than I ever even thought about getting ranked that are either jealous or find it amusing how much free gear I have been able to acquire over the years. Not as easy as one would think

 

[Villain]

Only if you don't play competitively. I don't particularly like the Pure Aero and to me, it doesn't feel particularly nice, but hell, I will win alot more matches in my 4.5/5.0 leagues with one of those than with an old school 95sq" 18x20 tiny sweetspot racquet.

TWU measured the PT 2.0 with more power and a six percent larger sweet zone than the 2019 Pure Aero. Check the racquet comparison tool.

 

[Kal-El 34]

Personally have not found the sweet spot on the 2.0 to be small at all


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[vsbabolat]

Personally have not found the sweet spot on the 2.0 to be small at all


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Agreed, I found it to be quite ample and easy to find

 

[HEAD Tinkerer]

Personally have not found the sweet spot on the 2.0 to be small at all


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In my opinion it is a very generous sweet spot that is loaded with a great feel. I have no trouble finding it at all.

 

[Deleted member 768841]

I really hope they keep the racquet around for awhile, I would love to pick up a few, I just need to save some money and convince myself I really do like the gravity, and racquets are just racquets and you need to stick with one. Damn racquet-holica!

 

[mike841]

TWU measured the PT 2.0 with more power and a six percent larger sweet zone than the 2019 Pure Aero. Check the racquet comparison tool.

Yeah, but everyone knows that data in TWU can be anomalous. Some of the string data for example is just wild.

 

[Villain]

Yeah, but everyone knows that data in TWU can be anomalous. Some of the string data for example is just wild.

Im not saying that TWU data is 100% accurate in every case, but I wouldn’t call it anomalous. My point is this racquet does not have anything close to a small sweet zone and has plenty of power. This thing is a best seller on TW for a reason and it is not at all a difficult racquet to play with.

 

[mike841]

Im not saying that TWU data is 100% accurate in every case, but I wouldn’t call it anomalous. My point is this racquet does not have anything close to a small sweet zone and has plenty of power. This thing is a best seller on TW for a reason and it is not at all a difficult racquet to play with.

The sweetspot on the PT2.0 is small, and compared to the sweetspot on say a Pure Aero, its tiny.

 

[Boubi]

??? The center of percussion is defined as a point. Not sure if you’re being sarcastic, but I’ve never heard of 3 separate sweet spots ever. No racquet I’ve ever played with had 3 sweet spots

Not sarcastic at all:
- the center of percussion (COP) whose location depends on how the weight is distributed along the axis of the racquet, in general about 5cm away from the center of the strings; this is where the shock or jar feeling in your hand is minimal
- the node is a set of spots near the middle of the strings and is actually a curve line, where the racquet produces the least vibrations
- the impact location where the coefficient of restitution is at its maximum

 

[Villain]

The sweetspot on the PT2.0 is small, and compared to the sweetspot on say a Pure Aero, its tiny.

You can keep saying it, but your statement is incorrect. Sweet zone is as much about weight in the hoop as it is about head size and 5 sq inches larger is somewhat negligible.

 

[A-Style]

Fantastic frame for high level players.

Too challenging for me to use against good players who put me on the back foot. On my good days, I played at a very good level with the PT2.0, but on my off days or when conditions were challenging (wind), my level dropped significantly and I really struggled.

I've gone back to my Blade. It doesn't feel as good as the PT2.0, but my results in match play made the decision a no-brainer.
I do miss hitting topspin lobs with the PT2.0 though. I felt like I couldn't miss with that shot. Laser pointer accuracy.

In something of a similar experience I busted my strings in my 2.0 after about 14 hours of play with it and got to use a Clash Tour and I gotta say I loved that thing and so much easier to use. Only grip was the head was just so unstable and not at all what I'm used to. The 2.0/PT57As are just so unforgiving by comparison but when you're dialled in you can't go past 2.0/PT57A.

 

[Villain]

Some of us play tennis in the real world, not rely on an old spod in a lab with a spreadsheet.

True, but your real world feelings on sweetspot are subjective and are counter to most other people’s experience. For other reasons, I don’t even play much with this stick but I’m not sure why you keep bringing the hate for this thing on here.

 

[Villain]

Real world feelings are just that - real world. Tennis isn't played in a lab with an eccentric old spod dropping a hammer at a 45 degree angle against a tin can etc, to try and replicate someone's arm. The latter is artificial - which is what you're wedded to. Like I said, some of us play tennis in the real world.

Power potential tests are pretty basic and straightforward. Do you know of a better way? Because your real world experiences seem different to most everyone else’s so they probably aren’t very reliable.

 

[PistolPete23]

Not sarcastic at all:
- the center of percussion (COP) whose location depends on how the weight is distributed along the axis of the racquet, in general about 5cm away from the center of the strings; this is where the shock or jar feeling in your hand is minimal
- the node is a set of spots near the middle of the strings and is actually a curve line, where the racquet produces the least vibrations
- the impact location where the coefficient of restitution is at its maximum

- The point of impact which produces the least amount of jarring or shock in your hand; that sounds like the sweet spot to me. https://sciencedemonstrations.fas.h...enter of percussion (COP,to as the sweet spot.
- The nodes; fair enough, since there's actual research out there demonstrating the relationship between vibrational nodes (which are scientifically defined as single points) and the vibrations felt in the hands. But this is somewhat controversial and still a topic of debate in the scientific community.
- Coefficient of restitution; I assume you're talking about locations of maximum return velocity when a ball bounces on the face of a stationary racquet. But the location of max restitution is usually NOT the location of max comfort, and I believe most players, including pros, would agree that the sweet spot is the spot of impact that produces the "sweetest" feeling.

 

[nohandedbackhand]

For anyone complaining about a small sweetspot in any tight pattern 95 inch or smaller head size, rethink your strings and lower your tension. With a thin beam and swingweight in the 330s, there shouldn’t be any issue if you get the balance to your preference and strings set up right. Make sure you’re deforming the stringbed when you hit, otherwise you’re probably going to have a bad time.

 

[PistolPete23]

For anyone complaining about a small sweetspot in any tight pattern 95 inch or smaller head size, rethink your strings and lower your tension. With a thin beam and swingweight in the 330s, there shouldn’t be any issue if you get the balance to your preference and strings set up right. Make sure you’re deforming the stringbed when you hit, otherwise you’re probably going to have a bad time.

I agree, string setup matters A LOT. I had a Radical Trisys 260 MP that I felt was too board-like for a long time. Finally changed strings to a softer poly and strung at a lower tension. Sweet spot opened up and now plays really plush.

 

[PrinceYonex]

The sweetspot on the PT2.0 is small, and compared to the sweetspot on say a Pure Aero, its tiny.

Comparing the PT2.0 to a pure aero is a bit extreme. Completely different specs, different types of racquets. If you wanted to compare the PT to a Babolat racquet, you could look at the Pure Strike Tour— similar static weight, swing weight, balance, stiffness. Both racquets would appeal to someone looking for that level of heft and stability. Differences in head size, string pattern, and beam width would obviously affect feel and power. Would be interesting to hear from someone who has hit with both.


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[DFHunter]

The sweetspot on the PT2.0 is small, and compared to the sweetspot on say a Pure Aero, its tiny.

It's huge... and comparing with 100 sq inch racquet with 95's it's a bit weird and extreme open pattern to a dense pattern racquet. Even than, it is still big...

If you compare pt2.0 with ig prestige mp... it is marginally bigger... and you might say, there is NO sweetspot at all on IGPMP...

 

[big bang]

Im seriously considering taking up tennis again, just because this frame came out. Havent been posting in here about 10 years I Think.

 

[Anton]

Im seriously considering taking up tennis again, just because this frame came out. Havent been posting in here about 10 years I Think.

 

[Aussie-pro]

Hey all,

Recently purchased a PT 2.0 and it is now my racquet of choice. Here are my thoughts;

IMO, the racquet is useable in stock form and has that old school head feel (similar to 'I-Prestige') but does not shine until some modifications are made. I made the following modifications; swapped pallet to the TK82s, 2 grams of lead at 12 o'clock and 10 grams of blu-tak in the butt. Final specs w/og are approximately; 355 gram static weight, 337 swingweight, 31.7cm balance. The modifications transformed the racquet from a useable stick to a tank. Increase in power, depth control, and arm friendliness (from large increase in recoil weight from weight added under butt cap) from the modifications were significant. Highly recommend some of you try what I have done and see for yourself.

Cheers

 

[tennisBIEST]

I agree, string setup matters A LOT. I had a Radical Trisys 260 MP that I felt was too board-like for a long time. Finally changed strings to a softer poly and strung at a lower tension. Sweet spot opened up and now plays really plush.

Curious what you settled on for strings and tension? I’m playing Tour Bite 17 g 48/46. I might go lower.

 

[PistolPete23]

Curious what you settled on for strings and tension? I’m playing Tour Bite 17 g 48/46. I might go lower.

Solinco Confidential 16L at 50#. I might go even lower, maybe 47 or 48.

 

[tennisBIEST]

Solinco Confidential 16L at 50#. I might go even lower, maybe 47 or 48.

I like confidential. It has good durability and long playability. I would definitely string it lower than than TB or HG.

 

[PistolPete23]

I like confidential. It has good durability and long playability. I would definitely string it lower than than TB or HG.

Agree. Recently polys have become too expensive for me though. I hit mostly against the wall and the frequency of shots wear down the strings fast. Considering trying HDX Tour; heard good things about it.

 

[tennisBIEST]

Agree. Recently polys have become too expensive for me though. I hit mostly against the wall and the frequency of shots wear down the strings fast. Considering trying HDX Tour; heard good things about it.

Are you familiar with Pro’s Pro strings?

 

[PistolPete23]

Are you familiar with Pro’s Pro strings?

Heard of them on numerous occasions on TTW but haven't tried.

 

[tennisBIEST]

Heard of them on numerous occasions on TTW but haven't tried.

I’m a big fan of their strings. There are some really great price to performance options here at TW too! Check out the poly reels under $50...Isospeed Baseline and Gosen Polylon!

 

[Gooner]

@TW Staff Looks like the 4 3/8" is not currently listed in the Grip Size drop-down selection. Are there plans to restock that size?

 

[TW Staff]

@TW Staff Looks like the 4 3/8" is not currently listed in the Grip Size drop-down selection. Are there plans to restock that size?

Yes, it appears that we should be getting more in September.

Thanks,
Tiffani, TW

 

[Anton]

Plenty of TK82S in 3/8

 

[AceyMan]

Yes, it appears that we should be getting more in September.

Thanks,
Tiffani, TW

I *love* how this frame is selling like ice cubes at a polar bear convention.

The wizards at HEAD behind this are either (a) getting a big bonus this year for their genius, or (b) having their photo tacked up at the Kennelbach wall-of-shame for taking so *$#% long to reissue this pattern again.

/Acey

 

[Tangi]

There are a lot of positive comments on the 360+ prestige MP around as well. I haven’t been able to order some yet, but was wondering if anyone had tried both that one and pt2.0?

Which one feels better in terms of that ‘classic’ flexy feel?

Thanks!

 

[Villain]

There are a lot of positive comments on the 360+ prestige MP around as well. I haven’t been able to order some yet, but was wondering if anyone had tried both that one and pt2.0?

Which one feels better in terms of that ‘classic’ flexy feel?

Thanks!

I bought and played both. Most people would probably say the PT has more of that “classic” feel, but I prefer the flex of the 360+ Prestige MP. It feels softer and eventually I bought another MP and sold the PT. Both are great sticks and you can’t go wrong.

 

[Deleted member 766578]

.

 

[tennisBIEST]

I’ve hit with both the 360+MP and the PT2.0 and “off the shelf” the PT2.0 for most people will not need to be customized. The 360+ MP is lacking the stability I’d prefer in stock form. If they were both weighted, balanced and strung the same I’d probably go with the 360+ MP as I like a bit more flex in my frames.

 

[DFHunter]

Yes, it appears that we should be getting more in September.

Thanks,
Tiffani, TW

How limited is this racquet? It seems limitless!!!

 

[Starsailor84]

Prestige MP is likely softer, but i string my PT at 44-42lbs with thin gauge and the sweetspot opens up and becomes much more plush and forgiving , i feel in the same categories that both perform well at, that the PT does them slightly better, but will just come down to preference and playstyle after all

As said above, both are really nice to have, though PT is so much cheaper, over here anyway

Interesting point, I also thought that it’s quite sensitive to string tension. Started with Ice code at 48, was a bit too stiff at the beginning, but kicked in at about 5 hour mark and now it’s about 40 pounds, and already too powerful. The other racket I strung with allu rough at 51, feels even more stiff even after 3 hours. Seems that PT 2.0 really shines in the range of 46-42 as you say, but the problem is, it’s very expensive to keep the racket within that range. You would have to restring almost every week.

 

[SaaKha]

So I finally got to have a legitimate hit with this racquet after buying 2 of them months ago and I gotta say I really liked it. I don’t really gel with 18x20s but this one just felt really good. Demanding tho. But as someone who has been playing with 6.1s their whole life, a demanding racquet isn’t new to me. Actually loved it on serves, and I thought that’s where I would have most trouble. It was an easier ride than my RF97 tbh. Also thought the sweet spot was more generous than I thought it would be. Very fun racquet so far Didn’t change the strings either, played with whatever TW put in.

 

[Tangi]

Received a reading from TWE for the PT2.0:

Racket	Weight	Swingweight	Balance	Stiffness
1	341	328	32,5	63
2	339,3	327	32,5	60
3	342	336	32,9	63
4	342,6	329	32,5	61
5	341,4	331	32,7	63
6	342	331	32,5	62

I am torn between choosing:
- 1 and 6 (very close)
- 2 and 4 (lowest flex and I can add 3g in throat to match weight)
- 4 and 6 (closest)

What do you guys recommend?

 

[Villain]

Received a reading from TWE for the PT2.0:

Racket	Weight	Swingweight	Balance	Stiffness
1	341	328	32,5	63
2	339,3	327	32,5	60
3	342	336	32,9	63
4	342,6	329	32,5	61
5	341,4	331	32,7	63
6	342	331	32,5	62

I am torn between choosing:
- 1 and 6 (very close)
- 2 and 4 (lowest flex and I can add 3g in throat to match weight)
- 4 and 6 (closest)

What do you guys recommend?

60 flex?!?!?!? Haven’t heard of one that low but that’s awesome. Depends on what you like in terms of flex. That’s the one thing you can’t really change. I’d take 2&4 personally but I like softer racquets. I know TW has a matching service, but do they do the same thing in the U.S., where they give you the specs the same way including flex?

 

[Tangi]

60 flex?!?!?!? Haven’t heard of one that low but that’s awesome. Depends on what you like in terms of flex. That’s the one thing you can’t really change. I’d take 2&4 personally but I like softer racquets. I know TW has a matching service, but do they do the same thing in the U.S., where they give you the specs the same way including flex?

Yes.. I’m also thinking that 60 flex one is too good to pass! Even if it is a bit lighter...

I don’t know about TW US. I paid 20 euro extra to TWE when buying 2 frames and they gave me 6 racquet specs as I asked for the matching service

 

[Villain]

Yes.. I’m also thinking that 60 flex one is too good to pass! Even if it is a bit lighter...

I don’t know about TW US. I paid 20 euro extra to TWE when buying 2 frames and they gave me 6 racquet specs as I asked for the matching service

Nice and good luck! Maybe I should give the racquet another try. I liked it, but the one I got was a lot stiffer than my Prestige MPs and Gravity Pros. I’m guessing 65-67. If I knew what I was getting I might give it another shot.

 

[big bang]

I just F...... did lol.
Got 3 the other day, booking first session in 9 years. Still addicted after all these years.