[HELP] HEAD Prestige splintering and pieces breaking off?

[JohnPrestige]

Hi there,

I have had 4 HEAD prestige grommets splinter on impact with a ball (missed smash) or brushing the synthetic grass court. I'm using the HEAD Prestige Pro and MP - both the 2021 edition.
We are not just talking about the grommet splitting or cracking - whole pieces are actually coming off - see this picture: https://share.icloud.com/photos/070wBfw7nbiQCNl6iXCJr6F7A

I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar issue? And are there compatible grommets of a better quality - primarily for the MP as it is my main racquet?

And before people suggest it is the sun (yes, I live in Australia) or the weather in general, I have never had that issue with the other racquets that I used to own HEAD Prestige XT, Prestige 360+, Speed Pro, Extreme Pro or Gravity Pro.

Cheers
John

 

[dmtree]

I had grommets break a few times on my 2021 PPro, but never quite like that.

I believe you can use the 360+ red grommets on the 2021 Aux 1.0 racquets, at least the Prestige Pro is interchangeable with the 360+ Prestige MP.

 

[Djinn]

I can’t say I’ve ever had the same issue. I still have some 2021 Prestige Tours that I play with. Something likely just led to your grommets becoming more brittle. Only option is to buy new sets of grommets and replace them. The only option available are the official head ones, but they are relatively cheap.

 

[esm]

That’s annoying. The syn grass can be brutal to both the racquets and body parts… lol
I am sure either @dr325i or @vsbabolat will be here in no time to assist!

 

[vsbabolat]

I’ve not had grommets splintering. Ive worn through mine and replaced them. How long were the grommets in the racket?

 

[JohnPrestige]

yeah no, I won't be switching to Babolat racquets anytime soon

 

[JohnPrestige]

I’ve not had grommets splintering. Ive worn through mine and replaced them. How long were the grommets in the racket?

I bought the MPs of an Austrian retailer (surplus stock listed on ****) just over a year ago. I bought the Pro version shortly after they were released, and the first one broke, at a guess, about 12 - 18 months later. The MP started breaking about 6-9 months after I got them. The plastic feels quite brittle and flimsy.

 

[vsbabolat]

I bought the MPs of an Austrian retailer (surplus stock listed on ****) just over a year ago. I bought the Pro version shortly after they were released, and the first one broke, at a guess, about 12 - 18 months later. The MP started breaking about 6-9 months after I got them. The plastic feels quite brittle and flimsy.

12 to 18 months is pretty good use out of a bumper guard. On my Prestige Pro they worn and not split.

 

[JohnPrestige]

12 to 18 months is pretty good use out of a bumper guard. On my Prestige Pro they worn and not split.

The 2021 Prestiges are the first racquets, that I have had to change the grommets. I don't spin them on the court (to determine who serves first), nor do I scrape my racquets during rallies. Obviously, I must be too slow and don't chase down enough balls... I still have my Speed Pro from 2014 (now hanging on the wall) with its original bumper guard / grommet set. Wear and tear I can understand, but complete splintering I do find baffling...

 

[esgee48]

Ultra violet and plain old sun exposure will make plastic brittle. There are auto products that can be wiped on periodically to lengthen the life span but it will still continue to deteriorate. Just replace the grommets.

 

[vsbabolat]

The 2021 Prestiges are the first racquets, that I have had to change the grommets. I don't spin them on the court (to determine who serves first), nor do I scrape my racquets during rallies. Obviously, I must be too slow and don't chase down enough balls... I still have my Speed Pro from 2014 (now hanging on the wall) with its original bumper guard / grommet set. Wear and tear I can understand, but complete splintering I do find baffling...

I change grommets once a year and it’s normal to change grommets. That’s why they are interchangeable. It’s impressive that you can play tennis without scraping your racket in the court! That would have come in handy during the wood era. Can you teach me how not to scrape that racket on the court?

 

[badmice1]

I cracked and broke a 2023 Prestige Pro head guard on a botched overhead just like that in 6 mons. When the ball catches it at an odd angle, the head guard "peels" away. You will notice it is significantly thinner compared to older Head racquets.

 

[JohnPrestige]

I change grommets once a year and it’s normal to change grommets. That’s why they are interchangeable. It’s impressive that you can play tennis without scraping your racket in the court! That would have come in handy during the wood era. Can you teach me how not to scrape that racket on the court?

Avoid hitting balls below your knees will do the trick Ok I do scratch them occasionally, but not enough to wear them down

 

[vsbabolat]

Avoid hitting balls below your knees will do the trick Ok I do scratch them occasionally, but not enough to wear them down

Good advice

 

[tjanev]

This may be relevant, but highly dependant on the type of plastic the bumper is made out of. but For 3d printers, you have to keep the rolls of filament in dry conditions. PETG and especially PLA is hygroscopic and becomes very brittle when it absorbs moisture. I've had filament snap in multiple places as i'm unrolling it off the reel. I'm assuming the bumpers are nylon, and a quick google search shows it being hygroscopic. It may come down to where you're storing your racquets + the make up of the nylon bumper used.