Head Speed Legend - Djokovic Signature

Guys the pic we are talking about is a silhouette of the racket. It’s black on a white background with no detail. The only thing that looks different in this grainy pic compared to the black/gray one is the placard with Djokovic on it and below his face says speed legend. You cannot even tell in the pic that it’s gloss paint, had to ask the rep to confirm that. I don’t know any shops who have them yet.
 
Meh, any pro - and many non-pros - could hit that shot with the pressure off; Kyrgios does similar stuff multiple times per match, & most of us have busted it out in lessons.
As for the ’stretchman’ logo, Nike presumably can’t be bothered suing on a risk/reward basis, especially given the copyright controversy around the original Jordan photo & ensuing version. Why give free publicity to something relatively small potatoes?
 
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Wouldn’t matter, all the share in similarities is they are both silhouettes but clearly two different spirts and poses. I guess Nike May come after Tennis Warehouse since they use a TW in their logo and those are the same letters in the Tiger Woods logo. And nobody named Richard Farrell better start a company and use RF in his logo.
 

flanker2000fr

Hall of Fame
Both those lines need a lot of work IMO... Head is still kinda lost in a limbo that feels like 2 years behind wilson and still living in their own shadow.

I used and still have the original Speed Pro which is why I was interested, can't find anything like it. Nor my old radicals... or my old prestiges... Not sure why we can't have one thinner beamed speed 98 with higher swing weight as the pro model.

I was very impressed with the 2024 Speed MP though... probably the best offering by head.

Frankly, we need more models from Head like we need a hole in the head (no pun intended). If anything, they need to reduce their offering, which is confusing and overlapping, and get back to what people expect a Prestige or a Radical to be.
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Frankly, we need more models from Head like we need a hole in the head (no pun intended). If anything, they need to reduce their offering, which is confusing and overlapping, and get back to what people expect a Prestige or a Radical to be.
Prestige and Radical are exactly what people expect them to be, and right on it - great layups and flexible offerings. Prestige Pro brings us back to the old Head glory…

The Speed and Gravity are two best selling lines from Head so demand is there. In my opinion, the Gravity layups are the best on market today.

The Boom was the American wish and delivered. I see tons of Boom MP in the courts around me, mainly ladies using them.

The extreme is going after the specific market and doing well.

But I do agree, some models within those silos should be eliminated.
And Head should do a 3-year cycle with all of these instead of 2
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Prestige and Radical are exactly what people expect them to be, and right on it - great layups and flexible offerings. Prestige Pro brings us back to the old Head glory…

The Speed and Gravity are two best selling lines from Head so demand is there. In my opinion, the Gravity layups are the best on market today.

The Boom was the American wish and delivered. I see tons of Boom MP in the courts around me, mainly ladies using them.

The extreme is going after the specific market and doing well.

But I do agree, some models within those silos should be eliminated.
And Head should do a 3-year cycle with all of these instead of 2

I don't know if I agree, on the Prestige/Radical lines... and don't think most people feel they are what people expect

I'm a former Prestige, Radical user and I feel these lines are almost unrecognizable.

Prestige Pro is missing a lot that my prestige mids provided, which no longer are offered. It is a very control oriented (only true control racket on the market I'd say) that seems to be limited in its use to flat play.

Prestige Tour was the promising racket in the line, and one I wanted to switch to, but the 2021 had feel like a Babolat, and 2023 ruined the swing weight by bringing it down this iteration. 21 had amazing power, control, spin, and power, and was very good for spin players as well. I would switch to this racket if it had the prior version's SW with this version's softness. It reminded me of my old original Speed Pro. By the time we/reviewers discovered it, we were too late.

Radicals are way too stiff and feel cheap. Also unrecognizable compared to my Radical Tours.

Speed and Gravity are good, but speed Pro is also unrecognizable due to thick beam and different specs.

Extreme and Boom are fine, and should be the lines they play with to keep modern.

Head needs to go back to thin beam softer players rackets IMO with decent swing weights for radical and prestige. They know it's a winning design, their re-iussed rackets are pretty good. I feel like there is are almost no complete player's frame on the market right now.
 
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dr325i

G.O.A.T.
I don't know if I agree. I'm a former Prestige, Radical user and I feel these lines are almost unrecognizable.

Prestige Pro is missing a lot that my prestige mids provided, which no longer are offered. It is a very control oriented (only true control racket on the market I'd say) that seems to be limited in its use to flat play.

Prestige Tour was the promising racket in the line, and one I wanted to switch too, but the 2021 had awful feel, and 2023 ruined the swing weight by bringing it down this iteration. I would switch to this racket if it had the prior version's weight distribution with this version's softness.

Radicals are way too stiff and feel cheap. The power levels are also confusing on the Pro. I've had one low powered, and one with explosive power.

Speed and Gravity are good, but speed Pro is also unrecognizable due to thick beam and different specs.

Extreme and Boom are fine, and should be the lines they play with to keep modern.

Head needs to go back to thin beam softer players rackets IMO with decent swing weights for radical and prestige. They know it's a winning design, their re-iussed rackets are pretty good. I feel like there is are almost no complete player's frame on the market right now.

I want to get back into head personally as Wilson has betrayed me with the new blade. The 24 Speed MP plays very well but can't say I like how thick it feels...
Lower SW is an easy and cheap fix and gives option to broader audience. Most of players prefer the SW of 325 and below strung. You, on the other hand, can easily increase it to 335 with only 3g of lead. I see no issues there.

The mid (90/93) rackets are (currently) thing of the past with all major manufacturers (Wilson, Bab, Head, TF, Yonex). The market is not there. Again -- the nostalgia of a few is not creating profitable business for the racket companies. Head, however, has released the PC2.0 recently that was on the dot what some wanted -- the refreshed version of the PC600.

I am not sure I agree about the radicals. They are not the old Bumblebee or Zebra like, however, we are not in the 90s any more. They are Heads close third best selling line. The 2023 Radical (Auxetic 2.0) will fix some of the "plushness" you are talking about though.

The prestige Pro is one of the best feeling rackets on the market today. But, the Prestige Pro (18x20) is not for everyone. The tradition continues -- the PT630 was not for everyone, the MG Prestige MP was not either...and so on. If they bring the 16x19 version to the USA, this will solve your Prestige Pro shortcomings -- a little more power, less control, more spin and lively for less flat hitters... But that means -- another frame!
 

Leen

Rookie
Head is the Baskin-Robins of racket flavors. Not everyone wants to stick with just chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.
If every company just did a spin, power, control silo I think the TT forums would be very boring.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
Lower SW is an easy and cheap fix and gives option to broader audience. Most of players prefer the SW of 325 and below strung. You, on the other hand, can easily increase it to 335 with only 3g of lead. I see no issues there.

The mid (90/93) rackets are (currently) thing of the past with all major manufacturers (Wilson, Bab, Head, TF, Yonex). The market is not there. Again -- the nostalgia of a few is not creating profitable business for the racket companies. Head, however, has released the PC2.0 recently that was on the dot what some wanted -- the refreshed version of the PC600.

I am not sure I agree about the radicals. They are not the old Bumblebee or Zebra like, however, we are not in the 90s any more. They are Heads close third best selling line. The 2023 Radical (Auxetic 2.0) will fix some of the "plushness" you are talking about though.

The prestige Pro is one of the best feeling rackets on the market today. But, the Prestige Pro (18x20) is not for everyone. The tradition continues -- the PT630 was not for everyone, the MG Prestige MP was not either...and so on. If they bring the 16x19 version to the USA, this will solve your Prestige Pro shortcomings -- a little more power, less control, more spin and lively for less flat hitters... But that means -- another frame!
I can see that, but I'm not a fan of lead and enjoyed we didn't have to use it in the past. The swing weight preference currently is from limited knowledge in the industry about twist weight (and models based on eastern swings). As we move more modern swing weights should be increasing not decreasing. Thin beam and high swing weight are actually easier to maneuver and "complete" of a racket generally. Rackets of old head spec are actually great for advanced spin oriented players/attacking players, which is why I'm personally a bit butthurt.

Mid racket, I can get being gone, just saying the current Pro isn't a replacement even though that seemed like the goal.. but a mid is why people bought the prestige.. I've seen more flexpoint mids in the past two years than any other prestige and that was supposedly not the most well received

Radicals are one of three lines that give me arm pain even with Auxetic
 
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Purestriker

Legend
Prestige and Radical are exactly what people expect them to be, and right on it - great layups and flexible offerings. Prestige Pro brings us back to the old Head glory…

The Speed and Gravity are two best selling lines from Head so demand is there. In my opinion, the Gravity layups are the best on market today.

The Boom was the American wish and delivered. I see tons of Boom MP in the courts around me, mainly ladies using them.

The extreme is going after the specific market and doing well.

But I do agree, some models within those silos should be eliminated.
And Head should do a 3-year cycle with all of these instead of 2
The ladies love the boom stick, seems to be the second most popular just slightly behind the PD.
 

heavyD

Professional
Yeah I see more than a few ladies using the Boom and that's probably a win for Head as I don't see a lot of females using Heads relative to Wilson or Yonex.
 
I can see that, but I'm not a fan of lead and enjoyed we didn't have to use it in the past. The swing weight preference currently is from limited knowledge in the industry about twist weight (and models based on eastern swings). As we move more modern swing weights should be increasing not decreasing. Thin beam and high swing weight are actually easier to maneuver and "complete" of a racket generally. Rackets of old head spec are actually great for advanced spin oriented players/attacking players, which is why I'm personally a bit butthurt.

Mid racket, I can get being gone, just saying the current Pro isn't a replacement even though that seemed like the goal.. but a mid is why people bought the prestige.. I've seen more flexpoint mids in the past two years than any other prestige and that was supposedly not the most well received

Radicals are one of three lines that give me arm pain even with Auxetic 2.0.
2.0 is next iteration in 2025. He meant 2025 2.0 will solve it. All of the 2.0 Auxetic frames are more comfortable.
 

flanker2000fr

Hall of Fame
Prestige and Radical are exactly what people expect them to be, and right on it - great layups and flexible offerings. Prestige Pro brings us back to the old Head glory…

The Speed and Gravity are two best selling lines from Head so demand is there. In my opinion, the Gravity layups are the best on market today.

The Boom was the American wish and delivered. I see tons of Boom MP in the courts around me, mainly ladies using them.

The extreme is going after the specific market and doing well.

But I do agree, some models within those silos should be eliminated.
And Head should do a 3-year cycle with all of these instead of 2

I think they are going in the right direction with the Prestige, and specifically the Prestige Pro. I just wish they offered it in a 18x19 pattern instead of 18x20, but then the purists would scream and this would be adding yet another model. Unless, of course, they did the rational thing and scrapped the Prestige MP L.

For the Radical, however, I don't think they're there yet. They feel too hollow compared to the great models of the past.
 
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I think they are going in the right direction with the Prestige, and specifically the Prestige Pro. I just wish they offered it in a 18x19 pattern instead of 18x20, but then the purists would scream and this would be adding yet another model. Unless, of course, they did the rational thing and scrapped the Prestige MP L.

For the Radical, however, I don't think they're there yet. They feel too hollow compared to the great models of the past.
your mileage might vary by listening to Tennisnerd but he noted on one of his recent podcasts or something that while Radical MP won't move you and isn't comparable to Radicals of old, it is predictable and you know what you're getting out of it which makes it good for competition.

I don't think they're going to change much about the Radicals other than add Auxetic to more and different areas of the layup. definitely no 18x20. and why would they? TK307 (Graphene) and TK351 (360+ and Auxetic) are some of the most popular frames on tour, likely for the reason TN identified.
 

gino

Legend
your mileage might vary by listening to Tennisnerd but he noted on one of his recent podcasts or something that while Radical MP won't move you and isn't comparable to Radicals of old, it is predictable and you know what you're getting out of it which makes it good for competition.

I don't think they're going to change much about the Radicals other than add Auxetic to more and different areas of the layup. definitely no 18x20. and why would they? TK307 (Graphene) and TK351 (360+ and Auxetic) are some of the most popular frames on tour, likely for the reason TN identified.

TNs thoughts on the radical line feel ultimately hollow. I know he chose it for some tourneys and called it a balanced performer with no clear strengths, but he’s been issuing those generalities for many different lines (pure strike, blades, etc). I’m sensing it’s not due to lack of intellect or ability to articulate himself, but because he values the patreon and YouTube paying subs more

I have used auxetic, it’s not an old school radical, but it’s flexible enough. Even Microgel rad MPs which came in close to 58-60 RA felt crisp off the string bed. I thought the 360+ pro was incredible, plush and flexy enough

Moral of the story, all legacy flexible rackets are getting stiffer and the comfort-forward layups are ending up in newer silos (clash, gravity, pure strike/VS) for these major brands. I sense the market still trending towards lower RA figures, but hey, they have to load some power into some of these silos. I think these chosen speed, boom, and radical as silos they want to play with abundant power levels. I wish it was different, but I see the logic
 
TNs thoughts on the radical line feel ultimately hollow. I know he chose it for some tourneys and called it a balanced performer with no clear strengths, but he’s been issuing those generalities for many different lines (pure strike, blades, etc). I’m sensing it’s not due to lack of intellect or ability to articulate himself, but because he values the patreon and YouTube paying subs more

I have used auxetic, it’s not an old school radical, but it’s flexible enough. Even Microgel rad MPs which came in close to 58-60 RA felt crisp off the string bed. I thought the 360+ pro was incredible, plush and flexy enough

Moral of the story, all legacy flexible rackets are getting stiffer and the comfort-forward layups are ending up in newer silos (clash, gravity, pure strike/VS) for these major brands. I sense the market still trending towards lower RA figures, but hey, they have to load some power into some of these silos. I think these chosen speed, boom, and radical as silos they want to play with abundant power levels. I wish it was different, but I see the logic
the point about patrons and subscribers is a good one. the feedback he's offering isn't substantive or generative

I'm looking forward to trying Auxetic 2.0 Radical Pro, don't get me wrong. I mostly play with my Ti. MP and have my Microgels as backups in case I've played through the life of the strings (not a string breaker) and/or I want a fresher set of strings. the Ti. is pretty stiff by old Radical standards and clocks in at 65 according to racquetfinder compared to the 58-60 you mentioned for the Microgels. I also have the original batch Microgels so probably closer to 58 than 60. in any case, the Ti. doesn't feel anywhere close to 65. the hoop is firm, yes, but it's not uncomfortable

the 360+ MP was borderline unpleasant to hit with and turned me off from trying the Auxetic. being a poor grad student doesn't help me have extended time with these racquets either since I can't really be in the market for a new frame right now. agree on wishing things were different despite the logic from the brands. the death of the 18x20 I don't see as logical though. 18x20 doesn't automatically mean overly controlled or unfriendly to spin in my books. I'm able to get great spin and depth without having to use poly from my Radicals, forget about the K6.1 95 18x20 which is one of the most powerful racquets I've played with
 

gino

Legend
the point about patrons and subscribers is a good one. the feedback he's offering isn't substantive or generative

I'm looking forward to trying Auxetic 2.0 Radical Pro, don't get me wrong. I mostly play with my Ti. MP and have my Microgels as backups in case I've played through the life of the strings (not a string breaker) and/or I want a fresher set of strings. the Ti. is pretty stiff by old Radical standards and clocks in at 65 according to racquetfinder compared to the 58-60 you mentioned for the Microgels. I also have the original batch Microgels so probably closer to 58 than 60. in any case, the Ti. doesn't feel anywhere close to 65. the hoop is firm, yes, but it's not uncomfortable

the 360+ MP was borderline unpleasant to hit with and turned me off from trying the Auxetic. being a poor grad student doesn't help me have extended time with these racquets either since I can't really be in the market for a new frame right now. agree on wishing things were different despite the logic from the brands. the death of the 18x20 I don't see as logical though. 18x20 doesn't automatically mean overly controlled or unfriendly to spin in my books. I'm able to get great spin and depth without having to use poly from my Radicals, forget about the K6.1 95 18x20 which is one of the most powerful racquets I've played with

the k6.1 95 had GOAT levels of power for a 95 in frame. There is some evidence of Novak testing it funny enough

I wouldn’t envy/covet anything using a Ti. Rad MP, that’s literally the GOATs mold, more or less. I chased a few of those down for cheap over the past few years, incredible 95 in frame. Great power/control combo & a paintjob that holds up overtime / looks great
 
Black to (some/mostly) black or would it be mainly orange again? ala G360+ and Aux1.0
Look at the other lines. They went from split colors, black/white speed, teal/black boom to three color sandwich. Black/white/black speed, black/teal/black boom. Radical gonna be blue/orange/blue assuming they follow what they’ve done with other 2.0.
 

David Le

Hall of Fame
Look at the other lines. They went from split colors, black/white speed, teal/black boom to three color sandwich. Black/white/black speed, black/teal/black boom. Radical gonna be blue/orange/blue assuming they follow what they’ve done with other 2.0.
If that’s the case that sucks. My all time favorite paintjob from the Graphene series would be the original from 2014. That thing was pretty unique with the orange being in the inside of the hoop with hints of yellow (homage to ‘93)
 
Look at the other lines. They went from split colors, black/white speed, teal/black boom to three color sandwich. Black/white/black speed, black/teal/black boom. Radical gonna be blue/orange/blue assuming they follow what they’ve done with other 2.0.
That is actually the question for me. They moved the color from the shaft/heart to the middle of the sandwich, so it whould be orange/blue/orange, but the radicals now had the orange as main color for the last two releases, so they might mix it up again resulting in what you described.
 

Yamin

Hall of Fame
All this hype for just a black gloss racket? Standard PJ got too much hate, though it does look better from a distance. Black gloss rackets look awful with white overgrips IMO.
 
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