Head Speed Legend - Djokovic Signature

[MSUspartans777]

I was recently speaking with the pro at my tennis shop and I was shown a press release for the Head Speed Legend that is set for release in April 2024. From what I was reading it's a new version of the Speed but all blacked out and endorsed by Novak.

I haven't seen anything about it online. Anyone heard anything?

 

[Federerkblade]

Is it just a blacked out version of new speed pro

Legend is an interesting word

 

[MSUspartans777]

The press release looked really legit. It was a full pdf that showed all of the accompanying accessories (bags, etc) plus the information about the racquet. The pro was explaining that Head now have Sinner as the poster boy for the Speed. From what I could tell, the Legend isn't an exact Novak spec match but it looked to be a 98 head size. Didn't glean much else.

 

[raftervolley]

What is the string pattern?

 

[MSUspartans777]

I didn't see. I'll be going back in the next day or so, I will enquire about it again.

 

[raftervolley]

Yes. Please let me know. If it's 18x19 that would be interesting.

 

[ProRadTour]

Be awesome if Head actually release the mold he plays with. Like Babolat did with the Rafa origin.

 

[FrankyRelax]

98 is interesting

 

[sargeinaz]

@dr325i mentioned Novak would be getting his own paintjob later this year. Personally I’m waiting to see it before buying the new speed MP because I’m assuming they’ll make both the MP and Pro in the Novak paintjob.

 

[MSUspartans777]

I agree with you. The pro was telling me it's most likely the same mold. I'll ask some more about it.

 

[sargeinaz]

I’m more curious if it’ll use the new rubber-ish/velvet-ish paint finish or if it’ll be something different.

I’m assuming they’ll swap the white out with some sort of dark grey. We’ll see.

 

[dr325i]

I agree with you. The pro was telling me it's most likely the same mold. I'll ask some more about it.

You don't need to ask him, I have seen them and certainly exactly what I am saying... Hopefully, the last PJ for the old guy...

 

[dr325i]

I’m more curious if it’ll use the new rubber-ish/velvet-ish paint finish

No

 

[Federerkblade]

Seems boring if that’s what head is releasing ..later in year

 

[Automatix]

Seems boring if that’s what head is releasing ..later in year

Diasgree.
If it will be the actual mold and drill pattern of Djokovic it is something very interesting to say the least.
If it's also slightly extended and will have at least some other aspects of his real frame then it is exciting.

 

[Seth]

Diasgree.
If it will be the actual mold and drill pattern of Djokovic it is something very interesting to say the least.
If it's also slightly extended and will have at least some other aspects of his real frame then it is exciting.

It’s not. @dr325i said it’s the same mold currently used in the retail Speed Pro.

 

[Automatix]

It’s not. @dr325i said it’s the same mold currently used in the retail Speed Pro.

That's what you get for just glancing through what's written. TBH didn't pay attention to the mold mentioned and thought I saw the phrase "mold used by him right now" while it is "mold used right now".
Thanks for correcting me. I need to see my optician.
In short, bummer, nothing to see or be interested in.
Upside is more money left in the wallet.

 

[sargeinaz]

No

Oh wow that’s awesome news. Now for sure I’ll be waiting for the Djok paintjob of the new speed MP

 

[DanTheMan1972]

You don't need to ask him, I have seen them and certainly exactly what I am saying... Hopefully, the last PJ for the old guy...

Can you confirm that the Speed MP will also be released with the Djokovic paintjob? Thanks

 

[Federerkblade]

Novaks legend Great marketing but in reality crap from head

 

[dr325i]

Can you confirm that the Speed MP will also be released with the Djokovic paintjob? Thanks

I will check

 

[bobeeto]

Hype hype hype

 

[yourtennisfit]

One thing you cannot say about Head is that they do not use the hype for Djokovic to the last drop

I would guess they never release the original specs - they even tweaked the Pro Tour 2.0, their strategy is always to make the racquets as public friendly as possible.

 

[dr325i]

Can you confirm that the Speed MP will also be released with the Djokovic paintjob? Thanks

Confirmed

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

I will check

Will this be the same mold/layup as 2024 speed just different paint job?

 

[dr325i]

Will this be the same mold/layup as 2024 speed just different paint job?

You can scroll literally 10 posts up and there is your answer
Yes.

 

[gino]

You don't need to ask him, I have seen them and certainly exactly what I am saying... Hopefully, the last PJ for the old guy...

Age 36 now. So if were on a two-year cycle, thinking retirement between now and then, before 38?

or thinking he actually gets his true sig frame (which I know you've said isn't commercially viable in the past)? I thought he was gonna pull a Tom Brady and play until his wife gets pissed

 

[galapagos]

nobody mentioned it but i think speed pro should stay at 315mm balance . 310/310 is a very dangerous spot. For the advanced players often too light and for the beginners still too demanding (also because of the SW). Even 315g/310mm sounds good just like the original speeds from what I remember (IG and Graphene Speed Pro at least). but 310g/315mm was a happy place for bigger audience (imo). Gravity players looking for an easier ride could switch without bigger change in swing-feel. Prestige users could add leather and have pretty much same specs. I mean the frames and swing-styles were overlapping better and now there is a gap if someone from other models wants to switch without adjusting the feel of the swing. adjusting is always but not that much imo.

 

[gino]

nobody mentioned it but i think speed pro should stay at 315mm balance . 310/310 is a very dangerous spot. For the advanced players often too light and for the beginners still too demanding (also because of the SW). Even 315g/310mm sounds good just like the original speeds from what I remember (IG and Graphene Speed Pro at least). but 310g/315mm was a happy place for bigger audience (imo). Gravity players looking for an easier ride could switch without bigger change in swing-feel. Prestige users could add leather and have pretty much same specs. I mean the frames and swing-styles were overlapping better and now there is a gap if someone from other models wants to switch without adjusting the feel of the swing. adjusting is always but not that much imo.

let's not kid ourselves, people only really buy a frame for who endorses it. unless you spend your free time here, in which case you are such a small segment of the target market that our opinion doesnt matter, balance isnt much of a consideration

I dont think the stock balance matters much to the general market, but at the eood for ppl like us we can just customize to preferred spec. don't think a stock balance is going to endanger head sales. Sinner and djokovic rep Speed, that's all that is needed

 

[galapagos]

let's not kid ourselves, people only really buy a frame for who endorses it. unless you spend your free time here, in which case you are such a small segment of the target market that our opinion doesnt matter

I dont think the stock balance matters much at the eood for ppl like us, we can just customize to preferred spec. don't think a stock balance is going to endanger head sales. Sinner and djokovic rep Speed, that's all that is needed

yes and no. many players buy what the coaches recommend. endorsements help closing the deal and if a coach lets say used the previous speed and doesnt like the new edition then he might recommend for example...radical. i don't know, depends on the coach, how much is involved in the development of the players under him.

 

[gino]

yes and no. many players buy what the coaches recommend. endorsements help closing the deal and if a coach lets say used the previous speed and doesnt like the new edition then he might recommend for example...radical. i don't know, depends on the coach, how much is involved in the development of the players under him.

so let's take me for an example. high-performance junior since age 8 or so. from age 11 to 17 used a Wilson 6.1 95 because that's what my coach/players I loved used. he came from a liquidmetal instinct XL and a pure drive swirly before that. when he left wilson, he went to another pure drive and i went to a prestige. my own reason for going prestige was a love for prestige players (Haas mainly) and the prestige feel. At that point, im not sure my coaches move to babolat had much of an impact. He told me to swing what I wanted to look down at & felt comfortable, so prestige made sense

are my coach's preferences tied to any consistency in terms of balance point spec? i dont think so, more just a reflection of what was vogue at the time/felt nice to him/was used by players he liked. not sure where the balance consideration layers in here other than a starting point for niche consumers like us

 

[Dragy]

I dont think the stock balance matters much to the general market

The biggest issue of stock balance to the general market is still the fact that you get 2 - they may be severely different!

So whoever gets more than one frame (and Speed Pro target segment may have this quite a bit) should absolutely check specs and either use matching service, or get slight customization.

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

I saw the pics and spec sheet for the pro and mp today. Man are they sexy! Can’t wait till April.

 

[heavyD]

Is the PJ black and grey like last year's special edition? That is a good looking racquet.

 

[FrankyRelax]

I saw the pics and spec sheet for the pro and mp today. Man are they sexy! Can’t wait till April.

So different specs than the current pro and mp?

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

So different specs than the current pro and mp?

No, just different paint job. Very nice in my opinion

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

Is the PJ black and grey like last year's special edition? That is a good looking racquet.

All black gloss on the pic I saw. Very classy. It also has the black/black pro x legend bags too. Like current green black ones but all black. I don’t think I’m allowed to post the pic I have otherwise I’d share.

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

I love the black and grey speeds and use them more than my white and black 1.0s and definitely more than my 2024 Oreo speed. Very psyched for all black glossy 2.0 as my biggest complaint (and it’s not really too bad) is the feel of the new paint. I strung my gut/Alu setup tighter in the 2.0 and it helped balance the softer flex of the 2.0

 

[yonexRx32]

I agree with you. The pro was telling me it's most likely the same mold. I'll ask some more about it.

How would that pro know? Does he handle Djoko's rackets? Does he manage production for Head?

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

How would that pro know? Does he handle Djoko's rackets? Does he manage production for Head?

Because what he is referring to is an online catalog screen with the pic of racket on the right and specs for each frame on the left. 100 inch heads 23mm beam and all other specs match 2.0 speed. Also says Auxetic 2.0 beside technology line. Bag info is below that. I saw the same release from Head today at my shop and am looking at a pic of it on my phone now. Placard has Djokovic and says Speed Legend Fast Racquet Fast Game below his pic.

 

[Weekendhacker]

Because what he is referring to is an online catalog screen with the pic of racket on the right and specs for each frame on the left. 100 inch heads 23mm beam and all other specs match 2.0 speed. Also says Auxetic 2.0 beside technology line. Bag info is below that. I saw the same release from Head today at my shop and am looking at a pic of it on my phone now. Placard has Djokovic and says Speed Legend Fast Racquet Fast Game below his pic.

It’s a 100 sq in racket while djoker uses a 95 and also with different layup, etc. It’s a totally different racket than what he actually uses. Why would anyone want this?

 

[ulunxtns]

It’s a 100 sq in racket while djoker uses a 95 and also with different layup, etc. It’s a totally different racket than what he actually uses. Why would anyone want this?

For better paintjob.

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

It’s a 100 sq in racket while djoker uses a 95 and also with different layup, etc. It’s a totally different racket than what he actually uses. Why would anyone want this?

Two reasons. Some people buy speeds cause they think Djokovic plays one. Or the reason I’m psyched, gloss full black paint job of my favorite frame which I bought because I like it and not who endorses it. Oh and because you, me and 99% of this forum couldn’t use his actual frame worth a damn.

 

[Weekendhacker]

Two reasons. Some people buy speeds cause they think Djokovic plays one. Or the reason I’m psyched, gloss full black paint job of my favorite frame which I bought because I like it and not who endorses it. Oh and because you, me and 99% of this forum couldn’t use his actual frame worth a damn.

I get that but I’m sure they will charge probably like $300+ for this racquet. Even if the vast majority of recreational players can’t properly use his actual racquet, I’m sure a fair amount of people will get it out of curiosity. Same reason that a lot of people bought the RF 97 racquet but maybe to a lesser extent cause it’s somewhat playable for a lot of people.

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

I get that but I’m sure they will charge probably like $300+ for this racquet. Even if the vast majority of recreational players can’t properly use his actual racquet, I’m sure a fair amount of people will get it out of curiosity. Same reason that a lot of people bought the RF 97 racquet but maybe to a lesser extent cause it’s somewhat playable for a lot of people.

I believe it’s $10 more than the regular paint job just like the black/grey one was last fall. Maybe $20 more since it’s all gloss and that can be a bit more labor intensive to make. The RF was $20 more than standard PS.

 

[Federerkblade]

To me the blade 100 v8 with lead plays more like novaks racquet than any retail speed released now or last two years

The stability and feel is incredible.. I have played with pro stock h22 and for a retail frame the v8 100 is on another level to retail frames

 

[DropvolleysRhard]

Our Head rep said same thing @dr325i has said several times, this will be the last paint job Djokovic will use regardless of how much longer he plays. Just in case anyone doubted the good doctor.

 

[Federerkblade]

He’s prob got 3 years max so makes sense from head perspective

 

[longtimelurker]

It is a win win for all, Novak likes the blacker paint plus give the up and coming stars new paint jobs for the future.

 

[Federerkblade]

To a degree

Win for novak

Win for head

For the guys that wanted something closer to his frame albe it 100 sq inch it’s not

We could argue until cows come home .. for me wilson blade 100 better bet and closer to what he using than hesd speed pro or mp