Would the Speed Pro (2022) be a good racquet to grow with for an intermediate player?

[TheStrenuousLife]

I started playing tennis last June, and I am an intermediate player now. My goal would be to reach the 4.0 level several years down the road. I am demoing different racquets, and I am looking for a control oriented frame and have heard good reviews about the Speed Pro. However, I typically hear that it is for "advanced" players. I take 1 private a week, group lessons once a week, practice on my own another 3 days a week, and I am also in a mens double league and play 1 USTA singles match a week, so I am taking this as a serious hobby. I think a racquet like the Speed Pro would almost force you to use good technique, unlike other racquets that may give too much help in certain departments.


For those that are more experienced players and have experience with the Speed Pro, do you think the Speed Pro could be a good racquet for an intermediate player to use that can progress with it to the higher intermediate/4.0 level? Or is it truly only suited for advanced level players only?

I would love to have a racquet that can grow with me but not outgrow me. Do you think the Speed Pro is a good fit in that regard?

 

[Curtennis]

Speed pro is the perfect racquet for so many people as long as you’re not particularly small or weak it won’t be anywhere near too heavy for you. If money is no object go for the new one. If money is even a slight concern I’d just go for the old one (still new stock)

 

[Moveforwardalways]

IMO it is too heavy for the routine normal rec 4.0 player. The TW review is glowing, but don’t buy the hype. Go with the MP if you like the Head Speed line.

 

[Djinn]

If you have a chance to demo first, always do that. However, if demoing is not an option for you, then a Speed Pro should work out fine for you considering your long-term goals.

 

[Trip]

@TheStenuousLife - There's a reason why the current Speed Pro is more or less the most well-reviewed stick on TW USA. As @Curtennis said, as long as you're fairly strong and decently fit, and I would add -- you have a two-handed backhand -- it's just about the most universally playable stick for anyone to use as they grow into a mid-NTRP rating or higher.

That said, my one possible caveat would be if you have a one-handed backhand, there's about a 50/50 chance it would either play fine for you, or that you might find it to be a bit too cumbersome overall. By that I mean, each individual aspect of the frame might not seem too off-putting for a one-hander, but combined together, the 23mm beam, partial tear-drop hoop shape, swing weight and 18x20 pattern can create a deceptive amount of cumbersomeness that some may feel is too much to overcome routinely for an effective one-hander. In that case, you may be better off with either a lower swing weight, smaller head, thinner beam, lighter balance, fewer mains/crosses, or some combination of those.

Still, it's a phenomenal frame that warrants a try, by almost any male or really strong female between 18 and 60.

 

[gold325]

I started playing tennis last June, ....Do you think the Speed Pro is a good fit in that regard?

What racquet and string combo do you use right now?

 

[Blade_X]

@TheStenuousLife - There's a reason why the current Speed Pro is more or less the most well-reviewed stick on TW USA. As @Curtennis said, as long as you're fairly strong and decently fit, and I would add -- you have a two-handed backhand -- it's just about the most universally playable stick for anyone to use as they grow into a mid-NTRP rating or higher.

That said, my one possible caveat would be if you have a one-handed backhand, there's about a 50/50 chance it would either play fine for you, or that you might find it to be a bit too cumbersome overall. By that I mean, each individual aspect of the frame might not seem too off-putting for a one-hander, but combined together, the 23mm beam, partial tear-drop hoop shape, swing weight and 18x20 pattern can create a deceptive amount of cumbersomeness that some feel is too much to overcome routinely for an effective one-hander. In that case, you may be better off with either a lower swing weight, smaller head, thinner beam, lighter balance, fewer mains/crosses, or some combination of those.

Still, it's a phenomenal frame that warrants a try, by almost anyone between 18 and 60.

Do you think gravity pro is more suitable for one hander cause it has even more SW but it’s definitely thinner. (?)

 

[Trip]

@Blade_X - I'd have to classify the GP similarly. I've seen one-handers rip with it and love it, and I've also seen guys having a tough time gelling with it. Pluses would be the thinner beam, big sweet spot, plow-through and stability. Minuses could be that same big sweet spot (ball can get lost in the string bed every now and then), the head-heavier mass distribution, swing weight, string bed mass and 14.5 twist weight for someone with weaker pronation. Another huge wildcard is quality control -- an over-spec GP may be totally unusable while an under-spec GP might be the greatest thing since sliced bread... Just a lot that has to come together for the GP to "work" for whoever in question. I'd say if you're a very strong male, between 18 and 50 with an NTRP of 3.5-4.0, or higher, it might work for you, yes. Otherwise, lighter-spec options could very well be a better fit. Hope that helps.

 

[gold325]

I would love to have a racquet that can grow with me but not outgrow me. Do you think the Speed Pro is a good fit in that regard?

Personally I would NOT start with an 18x20 high swing-weight racket when you have played less than a year. I cant beleive anyone here would recommend such a racket to someone who has played for 8 months..... let alone a slew of people above who are egging you on. I would get a 16x19/16x20 medium pattern racquet that is neither too heavy or light.

But if you are not going to take that advice (sounds like you wont) read the following

Confidence is half of racquet selection - does the color suit you eye? Does the make/model have your fancy - sure sounds like it.

If you want this racquet to grow with you. Here are the steps

1. Buy lightest, lowest Swing-weight unit you can find & String Multi filament. If you get a 335sw unit it might be hard to get off the ground. If you get a 315sw unit life will be very easy....
2. You can use weights to customize racquet when you "grow" - add swing-weight, change balance etc..
3. Strings you can go from Multi -> Multi/Poly -> Poly/Multi -> Poly/Poly (and other options)

 

[Moveforwardalways]

For a 1HBH, the Prostaff, Blade, or Pure Strike are great options for the 4.0-4.5 level.

 

[Djinn]

Personally I would NOT start with an 18x20 high swing-weight racket when you have played less than a year. I cant beleive anyone here would recommend such a racket to someone who has played for 8 months..... let alone a slew of people above who are egging you on. I would get a 16x19/16x20 medium pattern racquet that is neither too heavy or light.

But if you are not going to take that advice (sounds like you wont) read the following

Confidence is half of racquet selection - does the color suit you eye? Does the make/model have your fancy - sure sounds like it.

If you want this racquet to grow with you. Here are the steps

1. Buy lightest, lowest Swing-weight unit you can find & String Multi filament. If you get a 335sw unit it might be hard to get off the ground. If you get a 315sw unit life will be very easy....
2. You can use weights to customize racquet when you "grow" - add swing-weight, change balance etc..
3. Strings you can go from Multi -> Multi/Poly -> Poly/Multi -> Poly/Poly (and other options)

I have to completely disagree here. The whole thing with 18x20 vs 16x19 on the forum is ridiculous. In the end it doesn't matter, what matters is STRING SPACING. Speed Pro being 18x20 has a more open string pattern than the Ezone 98 2022 16x19. Then you talk about how he has been playing for 8 months and bring swingweight into the equation. My guy, at his level, a few swingweight points high or low won't matter.

Swingweight is also relative. The 326 SW of the Speed Pro is light for me, as I'm sure it will be heavy for other people. Maybe give him a chance to figure that out for himself. This is exactly why I suggest that he demo if possible.

 

[Curtennis]

Personally I would NOT start with an 18x20 high swing-weight racket when you have played less than a year. I cant beleive anyone here would recommend such a racket to someone who has played for 8 months..... let alone a slew of people above who are egging you on. I would get a 16x19/16x20 medium pattern racquet that is neither too heavy or light.

But if you are not going to take that advice (sounds like you wont) read the following

Confidence is half of racquet selection - does the color suit you eye? Does the make/model have your fancy - sure sounds like it.

If you want this racquet to grow with you. Here are the steps

1. Buy lightest, lowest Swing-weight unit you can find & String Multi filament. If you get a 335sw unit it might be hard to get off the ground. If you get a 315sw unit life will be very easy....
2. You can use weights to customize racquet when you "grow" - add swing-weight, change balance etc..
3. Strings you can go from Multi -> Multi/Poly -> Poly/Multi -> Poly/Poly (and other options)

310 grams versus what? 300? You’re splitting hairs. If this is the racquet he thinks he wants and will make him happy why push him down 10 grams? Seems unnecessary.

It’s rated at a 326 swing weight with 16g poly. Probably around 321 or so with syn gut. Even a lot of the 280 gram racquets still have swing weights in this realm. Swing weight also provides power. This is not Thor’s Hammer by any means. If we’re that worried about it maybe he should start with green dot balls just to be safe.

Its an 18x20 with a 100” head. 18x20 is not inherently more difficult to play with. While some may adjust to a 16x19 easier for certain shots, it’s hardly universal. I can’t understand why you’d suggest starting out with a 16x19 when he wants to move on to an 18x20 anyways. The racquet doesn’t make the player, consistency does.

The RA is a perfect blend of power and stability yet not an arm wrecker by any means.

could we sit around and dissect every racquet for sale and find one maybe slightly more suitable? Sure. Is it worth it? Probably not.

the guy is new to tennis and wants to improve, hopefully not going down the pointless rabbit hole of racquet selection. This is a fine racquet. Assuming male of medium or higher build.

 

[gold325]

310 grams versus what? ......higher build.

Your snarky green dot ball comment was not warranted - but in reality it is not a bad idea to do it once in a while - if he is working on technique modications for example - to rally with green dot balls with controlled pace and bounce.

To be fair I had given the OP BOTH options - You and I both probably know that if he gets a Speed Pro without MRT (or checking specs) and gets one at 340SW he is probably toast (unless his build is high enough.. as per logic). Instead if he gets one that is 315-320SW it gives him a nice platform to work on. Or do we all go under the assumption that TW average specs are good enough? I do think starting with a lowish spec and then playing with swing-weight, string and balance are also good ways to have the racquet "grow" with him like he wants.

 

[Lorenn]

For those that are more experienced players and have experience with the Speed Pro, do you think the Speed Pro could be a good racquet for an intermediate player to use that can progress with it to the higher intermediate/4.0 level? Or is it truly only suited for advanced level players only?

I would love to have a racquet that can grow with me but not outgrow me. Do you think the Speed Pro is a good fit in that regard?

Speed Pro 2022 is an exceptional racquet. It plays well in all areas of the game so you can really learn how you want to play. It would be great for a motivated player who wants to challenge themselves. Another racquet I would consider is the Speed MP 360+. Likely you will string the 2022 Pro for a little extra pop at first and the Speed MP 360+ you might have to tame a little later. I do prefer the Speed Pro 2022 over the Speed Pro 360+, but honestly I would play with both. Speed MP 360+ I prefer over the Speed MP 2022. I like the extra weight of the 360+ Yes you can add weight, but talking stock.

The Speed Pro and MP are just really good in all areas. I do prefer the 2022 Pro over the 360+. MP I prefer the 360+ version over the 2022 at stock weight. My main concern is would the soon to be released Gravity Tour be a better option. Anyways I think since you are being choiced it would be a fine choice to switch to the Speed Pro 2022.

 

[KYHacker]

I would be looking at three different option if you like Head racquets. First and foremost check and see if you like the handle shape and whether it is too vague or too square.
If you like the handle shape, try Speed Pro and see if you like the swing weight, but wherever you are planning on trying it, have them check the swingweight. At spec, it’s a perfect racquet for any player to use.
However, the Extreme Tour has similar spacing and similar ball response at spec but with a tad less power and it swings a little faster. Similar story with Radical MP. Then it is going to come down to which one you feel most confident with. All of them are great racquets that 5.0 players in my are play with. Similarly, I know 3.5 players that use these frames and like them too. There’s very little difference between 295-315g statice weight. It will be more about the balance of the frame and swingweight than it will about static weight.