Head Radical Pro 2023 Tennis Racquet Review: precise & powerful; solid feel at impact 🔥

[@vnishpt7036]

Much improved paint job by Head on this version & looks even better on Murray's Pro Tour racket w/the cap grommets around the head imo (as not a fan of the all orange color head guard). Nice work by Head making minor tweaks/improvements as no need to mess up a good thing. Thanks for the post!

[@s41magazine37]

Appreciated Troy's technique on the volleys. Text book 😎👍

[@WaltKurtz68]

Whenever Michelle, Chris, Mark and Troy like a racquet that's usually a racquet I like, it never fails! It's invariably the 'players' racquets'. The control oriented sticks, relatively head light with a higher static weight. I remember Michelle's comment on the Prestige Tour ("The Prestige I didn't know I needed in my life") and it turned out to be the BEST Head racquet I have ever played tennis with in my 40+ years involved in the sport! RADICAL PRO you say? Hmmm...maybe I'll pick one up sooner or later 😉👍

[@tenniswarehouse]

Hah, we don't always agree or have it right...but I can say both Troy and I hit the Radical Pro last week and can confirm, we both still really like it! Like top 3 Head racquet for both of us! :) Michelle, TW

[@kevinchu3546]

How would you guys compare this to the 2022 head speed pro? In terms of spin, power and comfort?

[@applesforakbar]

I appreciate the outfit matching Michelle! I wish the radical had a more closed pattern offering, even like an 18x19 or 16x20

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

Indeed. This one should be called Tour. And the Pro should be 18x19 and 62ra

[@dustyroot4708]

The string pattern is pretty dense for a 16 x 19. In fact, the majority of the pattern (starting from the center) is identical to the Gravity Pro, which is 18 x 20. It’s very controlled for a 16 x 19.

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

@@dustyroot4708 maybe an 18x20 more open than the Prestige Pro

[@Creees]

I bought the racket and went overseas with my normal tension and it wasnt good. I came back and the stringer from the Aus Open went down 2 pounds and now its awesome. Maybe the racket is too powerful but its modern tennis these days. Hitting serve and volleys are sensational. Drop volleys are a treat

[@ChessCoachAndras]

Had the exact same experience! Had to change strings and tension too, in order to make it playable. Now it works like a charm!

[@johnfairbrother6346]

Any word on when the Hawk Power will be available?

[@tenniswarehouse]

We are hoping to have it in stock within the next couple of weeks, but don't have an exact date. Stay tuned! -TW Staff

[@tareksweeting22]

Hey, great vid. Quick question - I’ve got a 2021 Pro (but only 1) as I was trying it out. For tournaments, etc, if I get a 2023 and use it as a pair with my 2021, will I notice any difference? Thanks

[@huichihin4514]

Good review guys! How does this compared to the yonex vcore 98 and iga 298? And the potential pro staff V14 which I still don't know when will be released? Thank guys!

[@tenniswarehouse]

This Radical Pro has more mass built-in and feels a bit more solid than the VCORE 98 and IGA 298. Both this Radical Pro and VCORE 98 are pretty comfortable, whereas the IGA 298 feels more firm and crisp. As far as control goes, this Radical Pro offers a bit more, whereas the VCORE 98 and IGA 298 feel a bit more lively or powerful. We don't have any info to give on Pro Staff updates, but stay tuned for more reviews coming in the next couple months. Troy, TW

[@vaughnbiggs3565]

how would this compare to the ezone 100 2022

[@tenniswarehouse]

More control, and also heftier feeling with this one. Troy, TW

[@72610819]

Hi, TW! I have a question. Do any other prestige racquets have a common grommet which can turn radical mp into CAP GROMMET ver. ( i’m a big fan of Murray!!!)? thank you from JAPAN🇯🇵

[@tenniswarehouse]

I don't believe any Prestige grommets fit this Radical. Your closest bet is Head Radical CAP grommet in black, but not sure if it is compatible with this update. Troy, TW

[@applesforakbar]

Another question re this racquet, what was your feeling and preference between this one and the blade V8 18x20? I'm currently demoing the blade and yonex 97d and wondering if I need to be adding this one to the list. (Coming from a V7 18x20 player)

[@tenniswarehouse]

I think those are all very solid feeling frames. I think that maybe if you are looking for a slightly more lively response of the string bed, a bit easier bite and spin and a little more pop off the racquet, then the Radical Pro is definitely worth a try. But if you can't seem to get away from the 18x20 pattern then those other two are great choices, the VCORE Pro 97D is great for control and feel, but maybe borderline hefty for some, depending on your preferences. Troy, TW

[@applesforakbar]

@@tenniswarehouse gotcha thanks Troy! Yeah I demoed the 310 and it felt great just super low swing weight. Could always beef that up with some lead if the 320 is too hefty. V8 feels like a solid update to the V7 I'm surprised on the forum it got such muddled feedback

[@Peaceful13]

How does this compare to head graphene radical pro 2019

[@tenniswarehouse]

We have found the updated Radical with Auxetic to just feel a bit more solid and all around plays better and feels more comfortable. Not a huge change in playability and what the racquet will offer, but small enough to notice it! Michelle, TW

[@Peter-do8gy]

Hi I am currently playing with a Head Radical Pro Graphene XT , circa 1916, orange and grey in color, just wondered if anyone has played with it and the new version , the 2023 , and how do they compare ? thanks

[@tenniswarehouse]

It has been a while since I played with the Graphene XT Radical Pro, but I was on the review for that one back in 2015 and found my written part. I would say spec wise, the XT was a bit stiffer, and had a bit more swingweight and plow through in stock form. The beam width or frame width was a bit thicker on the sides of the hoop, for the XT, so with the 2023 I find a bit more comfort, plush feel, and a little more feel for the ball with that thinner section throughout the hoop. Troy, TW

[@DennyKong]

How would you compare to the prestige pro from 2021

[@tenniswarehouse]

This Radical Pro feels slightly more forgiving, and packs a bit easier power. Slightly more control and feel coming from the Prestige Pro (Auxetic). Troy, TW

[@tdubbs684]

That's cool too see that they dropped the swing weight a little- makes me hopeful that they maybe made the same change to the upcoming Gravity Pro as well 🤞

[@hybrid11theory75]

This racquet is way stiffer than TW claims it to be. I've measured out a bunch of these and all came around 68 RA unstrung....

[@tenniswarehouse]

That's actually within about a point difference in the stiffness, as the stiffness will reduce by about 2 to 3 point once the racquet is strung. So your 68 RA could be 65 once strung, and that would make it about a point off from our average of specs that we post on the website. With that said, I wouldn't say that it is way off, but maybe just slightly within a point variance. Troy, TW

[@hybrid11theory75]

@@tenniswarehouse Interesting. To my knowledge the stiffness only drops about 1-2 points at max when strung. I've recently measured a Gravity Pro, unstrung 63, with strings it was 62. My Rad Pro was 68 unstrung and 67 with strings... 67 def. is rather a stiff frame than 64 ;)

[@tenniswarehouse]

Okay, well 67 strung is a bit high compared to what we got for an average of our samples strung when measured on our RDC machine. I believe there is a +/- 2 or 3 points on stiffness for the manufacturer tolerance, so maybe if the target was like 66 unstrung, then our samples may have been on or slightly under and maybe yours are a bit high. Its hard to say for certain, as I don't see the target stiffness RA listed on the frame or on the Head website. Troy, TW

[@hybrid11theory75]

@@tenniswarehouse I didn't know the stiffness tolerances can vary that much until i've measured it. It's crazy to think about but at 67 stiffness def. has a different feel than a 64 for sensitive players. Companies should be more aware of these tolerances and sort them out, if you have bad luck you get a much stiffer feeling racquet than it actually should be... not talking about swingweight and static weight yet, it's a lottery!! ;)

[@OldSkoolLegend]

"updated" because its not the player.... its the RACKET... and it needs to be UPDATED.

[@addh3341]

I think it has way too much power

[@tenniswarehouse]

Maybe the Speed Pro might be better for you! Michelle, TW