Introducing the Head Extreme MP 2022 racquet

The Head Extreme MP 2022 racquet is part of Head's Extreme line, which offers fairly powerful, topspin oriented and comfortable racquets.

Graphene 360+

The Head Extreme MP 2022 still features Graphene 360+, an interesting material for its lightness and strength, to have a good energy return when hitting the ball, while at the same time having stability and comfort.

Spin grommets

This technology is already present on the previous version of the Head Extreme MP.

The central grommets are shaped to facilitate string movement and therefore access to topspin, this also promotes power.

Auxetic technology

This is what's new for this version, it corresponds to the use of a material that has the surprising property of growing larger when stretched and thinner when compressed.

This material, used in other areas than tennis, is placed in the throat of the racquet to improve the feel of the game and provide more confidence to players.

The Power of the Head Extreme MP 2022 racquet

Like the previous versions, the Head Extreme MP remains a rather powerful racquet.

I had a good feel from the baseline with a little lack of control on powerful shots without topsin but overall it was fine and I didn't make too many mistakes.

I liked the power of the racquet on my serve, a shot where I tend to lack power.

Personnaly, I would not have been able to play with this racquet when I was younger because I'd have lacked too much control.

Now, as I'm getting older and I don't put as much energy in my shots as before, I feel I could almost play with this kind of racquet.

This racquet will be interesting for :

• players who are powerful and can control the power of the racquet with topspin,
• players who tend to lack power and ball length and are looking for a racquet to help them in this area,
• players with medium to large swings.

Here is a comparison in terms of power with some other racquets:

More power:

• Babolat Pure Drive
• Wilson Burn 100
• Solinco Blackout

Similar power:

• Babolat Pure Aero
• Dunlop SX 300
• Head Boom MP
• Yonex EZone 100
• Wilson Ultra 100

Less power :

• Head Prestige, Speed, Gravity, Extreme Tour, Boom Pro
• Yonex Ezone 98, VCore, VCore Pro
• Babolat Pure Strike
• Wilson Shift, Blade, Pro Staff, Clash

Access to spins with the Head Extreme MP 2022 racquet

With a 645 cm² / 100 in² head size that is quite oval in shape, combined with the 16x19 string pattern with grommets that give the strings freedom of movement, access to topspin is very good.

Maneuverability

The balance of the Head Extreme MP is set at 32cm, a medium value, the swingweight is also set at 322, these elements allow the racquet to have good maneuverability, with a slight head heavy feel.

So, the racquet is not extremely head light, it has just a bit of weight at the tip of the racquet, which can help for power and stability.

For my one handed backhand, I'd have prefered a balance a bit more towards the handle but it was correct, overall my feelings were fine on my one handed backhand.

It should be noted that the previous version (Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP) already had a balance at 32 cm, which was a difference from the Head Graphene 360 Extreme MP which was balanced at 32.5 cm.

So, with this version and the previous, Head came back to a more neutral balance compared to the Graphene 360 version.

Comfort of the Head Extreme MP 2022

I liked the comfort and forgiveness of the racquet.

I liked to play with the racquet, there is a good vibration absorption.

It's interesting to notice that the Head Extreme MP manages to combine an average stiffness of 66 Ra, which is good for comfort, with a fairly high power level.

Of course, the choice of the string and its tension will play an important role in the comfort.

I used a multifilament string for my test, with a tension of 23 kg, it helps for comfort but even with a monofilament, especially with a tension that is not too high, this racquet will provide a good level of comfort.

Comparison with the Head Extreme Tour

The Head Extreme Tour will give less power than the Head Extreme MP, it corresponds to rather powerful players who are looking for more control.

I found the Head Extreme Tour easier to swing than the Extreme MP despite its weight of 305 g but with a balance of 31.5 cm.

Topspin access is excellent with both racquets, slightly better with the Extreme MP.

Both racquets are very comfortable.

Comparison to similar racquets

• Babolat Pure Aero 2023: slightly less power, close access to toptpin, close maneuverability, a bit more comfort with the Head Extreme MP.
• Yonex VCore 100: a little less power, a little less access to topspin, a little less head weight feel, similar comfort.
• Head Speed MP: a little less powerful, a little less access to topspin, a little more maneuverable, similar comfort.
• Head Boom MP: similar power, close access to topspin, more maneuverable, lighter, similar comfort.

Who would I recommend the Head Extreme MP 2022 racquet to?

I would recommend this racquet to players:

• of an intermediate or advanced level who want a medium weight racquet,
• possible for sporty beginners, otherwise it could be safer to see the Head Extreme Team L (265 g) or MP L (285 g)
• players who want a racquet with a good level of power,
• with a moderne game, power, topspin,
• also with a versatile game ; slice, flat shots, in that case not extremely powerful,
• who want a racquet that provides easy access to topspin,
• looking for a racquet with a neutral balance, a slight head heavy feel,
• looking for a comfortable racquet,
• who like the previous version and want to update their racquet without losing the feel,
• who own the Head Extreme MP version with a balance of 32.5 cm, who like the feel but would like a more head light version.