Quick demo review of 2021 Radical MP

[cck3]

Current racket and grip: Blade V7 16 x 19, Semi-western

I got to hit with the new 2021 Radical MP today. I was planning on a two hour hitting session but it got super windy where I live, so I was only able to baseline rally for about 45 mins.
I'd describe the Radical MP as more user friendly, and slightly stiffer Blade V7 16 x 19 while maintaining a good balance between power and control that will cater to larger audience than Blade.
The jarring stiffness from previous two iterations is gone and it is overall pretty comfortable racket for RA of 65.
With stiffer and wider beam, I expected shots to be harder to control than the Blade but this was not the case at all. I could swing out aggressively and the ball still landed in the court consistently.
I was basically able to pick the Radical up like it's my daily Blade and hit with it without adjusting my swing at all.
If you are a Blade V7 user who wants a racket with a little more pace, forgiveness and a little more spin at the cost of slightly less feel and more stiffness, you should demo the new Radical.
I preferred Blade's forehand a little more but Radical had solid forehand with better and more consistent backhand response.

TL; DR
Feel: Blade > Radical
Forehand: Blade > Radical
Backhand: Radical >> Blade
Pace and Spin: Radical > Blade

 

[mad dog1]

I got to hit with the new 2021 Radical MP today. I was planning on a two hour hitting session but it got super windy where I live, so I was only able to baseline rally for about 45 mins.

You must be in SoCal! It was blowing hard today.

 

[elitekuo]

Current racket and grip: Blade V7 16 x 19, Semi-western

I got to hit with the new 2021 Radical MP today. I was planning on a two hour hitting session but it got super windy where I live, so I was only able to baseline rally for about 45 mins.
I'd describe the Radical MP as more user friendly, and slightly stiffer Blade V7 16 x 19 while maintaining a good balance between power and control that will cater to larger audience than Blade.
The jarring stiffness from previous two iterations is gone and it is overall pretty comfortable racket for RA of 65.
With stiffer and wider beam, I expected shots to be harder to control than the Blade but this was not the case at all. I could swing out aggressively and the ball still landed in the court consistently.
I was basically able to pick the Radical up like it's my daily Blade and hit with it without adjusting my swing at all.
If you are a Blade V7 user who wants a racket with a little more pace, forgiveness and a little more spin at the cost of slightly less feel and more stiffness, you should demo the new Radical.
I preferred Blade's forehand a little more but Radical had solid forehand with better and more consistent backhand response.

TL; DR
Feel: Blade > Radical
Forehand: Blade > Radical
Backhand: Radical >> Blade
Pace and Spin: Radical > Blade

Nice review! I got the same feeling with you about Radical MP 2021.

 

[cck3]

You must be in SoCal! It was blowing hard today.

Yup haha. It wasn't too bad initially but 10 minutes in it got pretty windy. Wind wasn't a big deal since I was just casually rallying but it got too dusty outside

 

[Adidas_Anderson]

Great Review , thankyou

 

[time_fly]

Good review. I'm suspicious that the "new" Blade v6, which is also supposed to be slightly stiffer and more responsive than the v7, is Wilson's reply to the Radical MP. I've been enjoying my demo of the Radical MP so far, but I'm not sure I will switch to it. I've been trying a lot of racquets lately. But I agree with what you posted, and it's a good frame.

 

[Keizer]

Good review. I'm suspicious that the "new" Blade v6, which is also supposed to be slightly stiffer and more responsive than the v7, is Wilson's reply to the Radical MP. I've been enjoying my demo of the Radical MP so far, but I'm not sure I will switch to it. I've been trying a lot of racquets lately. But I agree with what you posted, and it's a good frame.

Very interesting theory! I've been racking my brains as to why an 18x20 was not released.

 

[Icedorb217]

The MP would have made a sick 18x20 frame.

 

[marquette100]

The MP is a great update. Much more comfy.

 

[Icedorb217]

Can anyone compared the Extreme Tour to the Radical MP? The specs are so similar so I am curious what the differences are.

 

[marquette100]

Can anyone compared the Extreme Tour to the Radical MP? The specs are so similar so I am curious what the differences are.

the extreme tour feels more flexy and has less power with a little more feel. It has a little more whippy feeling when swinging and generates more spin. The radical MP has more power and still comfortable but not as flexy.

 

[marquette100]

Can anyone compared the Extreme Tour to the Radical MP? The specs are so similar so I am curious what the differences are.

I had switched to the extreme tour but am now switching to the radical MP. Extra power and still comfortable. I have a couple extreme tours for sale if you want them.

 

[Icedorb217]

I had switched to the extreme tour but am now switching to the radical MP. Extra power and still comfortable. I have a couple extreme tours for sale if you want them.

Surprised to hear that the ET felt less powerful than the radical considering the beam width and RA. Now I definitely need to demo cause the radical is high on my list to switch.

 

[Pronate]

TL; DR
Feel: Blade > Radical
Forehand: Blade > Radical
Backhand: Radical >> Blade
Pace and Spin: Radical > Blade

Appreciate the review! I care a lot about the feel for volleys. Before I wanted the Radical as a new racquet. I guess I will keep hitting with my Blade.

 

[datsveryinterestin]

I demoed the new Radical MP and found it... ok. It has the same (or very similar) string spacing as my Blade V6 98L [weighted up to 333g).
The new dampening technology works for comfort (similar to the V7 blade) but it takes away power. If I was younger this would be a great
racquet. But with the dampened feel it just doesn't have that OOMPH that I'm looking for. Maybe I just don't like Lynx Tour at 55lbs!
I also tried the Radical Pro and strung with Lynx Tour, it was also too demanding for me. I switched after my 6th double fault in 1 set.
Immediately I played a lot better with Ezone98 Tour or my Wilson Blade 98.

Im thankful for the opportunity to demo because the Radical were in my spec range but just didnt work out. Not enough spin for me. I guess if I switch to Head racquet I would be better off with Speed Mp?

I hit monster forehands with the Blade and it is a good serving racquet but I struggle to volley with it. Ezone98 Tour is low powered, flexy, hits laser beams and returns heavy serves beautifully, has nice feel on volleys.. but it can feel like a tree trunk at times. Debating whether to add lead to regular Ezone98 or get used to the Tour's heft.

 

[jdx2112]

the extreme tour feels more flexy and has less power with a little more feel. It has a little more whippy feeling when swinging and generates more spin. The radical MP has more power and still comfortable but not as flexy.

Interesting as the Head CPI index shows the Extreme Tour at 500 and Radical MP at 400.

 

[JackB1]

Just got one of these and can't wait to try it out. I've been using a Graphene XT Rad MP the past week and loving it (with 4 g's at 3/9 & in the handle) so I'm eager to see if the 2021 MP is an improvement.

 

[jhick]

Just got one of these and can't wait to try it out. I've been using a Graphene XT Rad MP the past week and loving it (with 4 g's at 3/9 & in the handle) so I'm eager to see if the 2021 MP is an improvement.

I recently demoed both the new MP and last year's. You'll notice the biggest difference in feel (and obviously look of bright neon orange). The 2021 is a more forgiving frame. Easier on my arm so that is the one I went with.

 

[A_Instead]

I am highly impressed with the 2021 Radical MP...Plow and spin is well beyond it's spec class.. feel and control is an added bonus too.. good job Head..

 

[jdx2112]

I am highly impressed with the 2021 Radical MP...Plow and spin is well beyond it's spec class.. feel and control is an added bonus too.. good job Head..

Any comparison in terms of comfort? I play with the gravity tour and was pleasantly surprised at how soft the Extemen Tour was...

 

[A_Instead]

No issues with comfort.. the extreme tour was way more harsh and felt somewhat stiff

 

[jdx2112]

No issues with comfort.. the extreme tour was way more harsh and felt somewhat stiff

Fascinating. I found it pretty flexible. Thanks foe the info.

 

[Dan007]

No issues with comfort.. the extreme tour was way more harsh and felt somewhat stiff

Completely agree. Radical just flexed better upon impact whereas extreme tour felt stiffer and didn't flex the way I prefer.

 

[jdx2112]

Completely agree. Radical just flexed better upon impact whereas extreme tour felt stiffer and didn't flex the way I prefer.

I play with the gravity tour so I had low expectations with the Extreme Tour and its 65RA. Looking forward to the Radical MP.

 

[RandomAsian]

Hi, has anyone tried the Tecnifibre 300 RS, almost identical specs with the new Radical MP. If yes can you please compare the two? The 300 RS has some foam filling so that makes me curious, wonder how it feels compared with the 360+ tech.

 

[jdx2112]

Hi, has anyone tried the Tecnifibre 300 RS, almost identical specs with the new Radical MP. If yes can you please compare the two? The 300 RS has some foam filling so that makes me curious, wonder how it feels compared with the 360+ tech.

Anecdotally, I’ve read almost nothing about this racquet in terms of comfort. Not dying it isn’t, just that it’s not the lede in most reviews or comments.

 

[Chezbeeno]

Anecdotally, I’ve read almost nothing about this racquet in terms of comfort. Not dying it isn’t, just that it’s not the lede in most reviews or comments.

The Tecnifibre or the Rad MP?

 

[jdx2112]

The Tecnifibre or the Rad MP?

Technifibre...very well could be easy on the arm, but I usually look at the TF40 for that.

 

[JackB1]

Tried the 2021 Rad MP for one set last light and didn't see any noticeable difference to the Graphene XT version as of yet. Played very similarly to the XT with 4 grams at 3/9. Good thing about the 2021 version is it's probably fine stock with no added lead tape. Next time out, I will switch them and forth and look to see if I notice a difference in feel.

 

[Ryebread]

Thanks for this review!

 

[TennisHound]

The best thing about the Radical is that it’s .2oz lighter than the other 98s in its class. It’s not much, but it makes a difference when adding weight.

 

[DJTaurus]

I am highly impressed with the 2021 Radical MP...Plow and spin is well beyond it's spec class.. feel and control is an added bonus too.. good job Head..

Radical MP or extreme tour ?

 

[GermanBeast]

Radical MP or extreme tour ?

The radical mp has more plow, a bit more power and is more stable.
The extreme tour is a bit more whippy and offers a higher launch angle. I would go for the radical mp + leather grip

 

[smalahove]

I'm considering the Rad MP again, testing it alongside the new Boom Pro and possibly the new TF40 16x19 (305).
I've owned every 98 in Head's line-up so far, and besides the BP, which I haven't tried yet, the Rad MP is the easiest one to play. I really liked the Pro, and played some of my best tennis, but I prefer the GPro. However, both of those require hard work from my part, so I'm keen to see if I can play with something like the Rad MP or Boom Pro, and hold up better in long matches. I recall the Rad MP was super easy to get a high trajectory, spin and depth from both wings, both receiving little and heavy pace.

 

[DJTaurus]

There is a false narrative by YouTube reviewers that ET and RMP play similar. The power delivery and feel is totally different. I prefer ETs feel… more soft and plush. But that’s where the problem occurs according to my playstyle…. ET absorbs so much of contact energy…ball lags on the string bed and it launches back with less power. Feel of RMP is more on the harsh side with just a tad crisp/plush touch….more direct/instant ball rebound. So for me it’s a lot easier racquet to produce shots with depth… the weight distribution is felt on the middle of the throat and towards the tip of the head…. so much more plow. You just load and then throw the racquet to the ball…. work is done on auto pilot / effortless. With extreme tour you need follow though and good technique to produce same depth. ET spin potential is unmatched… coupled with tons of control it’s sth unique to a stick. But for my flat playstyle radical feels CP500 and ET CP400…. the opposite of what head suggests on power level.

I ve playtest Radical Pro also. It was very difficult with a very small sweet spot. One world that describe perfectly radicals is SOLID. Go watch gladiators review. Solid solid solid. Zero twisting. Perfect stability through all contacts phase….another reason why i produce more power with it. The 1HB with RMP was sooooo boom. A solid machine for all around tennis and rallies. Better volleys and more power on serves…. ET better in slices.

I love the feel of ET…. is there a mod with lead you propose to make it more stable ? I put 4 gr at 3/9 but it lost its manoeuvrability…. it was twisting on my forehand…. shots didn’t have depth without full strokes/follow through.

Probably i am gonna buy those 2 babies and give more time on both of them but at stock form it’s not even a contest which racquet i ll have on my bag for match play.

Both sticks play excellent with Lynx Tour.

On my spare time i gave another test on speed mp. By far the most powerful frame but hollow on contact… less control… less angles…not fluid on 1HB. I also love the feel of Gravity Tour but couldn’t gel with its head shape….also felt cumbersome.

That’s my trip with head sticks…. now which of the 2 should i buy ????

 

[DJTaurus]

I'm considering the Rad MP again, testing it alongside the new Boom Pro and possibly the new TF40 16x19 (305).
I've owned every 98 in Head's line-up so far, and besides the BP, which I haven't tried yet, the Rad MP is the easiest one to play. I really liked the Pro, and played some of my best tennis, but I prefer the GPro. However, both of those require hard work from my part, so I'm keen to see if I can play with something like the Rad MP or Boom Pro, and hold up better in long matches. I recall the Rad MP was super easy to get a high trajectory, spin and depth from both wings, both receiving little and heavy pace.

New TF40 plays very light imho. It’s very fast through the air it has great feel but i needed more forgiveness and more heft behind shots. What’s your finding on Boom
Pro compared to other head racquets ? Which other head racquet reminds you ?

 

[smalahove]

New TF40 plays very light imho. It’s very fast through the air it has great feel but i needed more forgiveness and more heft behind shots. What’s your finding on Boom
Pro compared to other head racquets ? Which other head racquet reminds you ?

Haven’t had the chance to try it yet, as they’re delayed in my neck of the woods.