Head Extreme Tour presentation

The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour racquet is part of Head's Extreme line, which offers comfortable and powerful racquets that promote top spin.

The Extreme serie is close to the Instinct serie in terms of power, the MXGs are powerful and also top spin oriented, the Speed ??and Radical are intermediate and the Prestige are the least powerful.

The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour is a new racquet in the Head Extreme range at the time I write this article.

Until then, the Head Extreme serie did not have a racquet with a 632 cm² head size and their weight did not exceed 300 grams.

This version results in a smaller head and a thinner profile, which make the Head Graphene 360+ Extreme Tour a top spin oriented racquet that gives more control than other racquets in this serie.

Technologies

• Graphene 360+: provide resistance, flexibility, lightness, stability while keeping a reasonable weight,
• Spin Shaft: reinforced handle to improve stability,
• 360 Spin grommets: enlarged, funnel-shaped grommets  to promote movement of the strings and thus access to top spin and power.

Head Extreme Tour power level

Despite its average head size of 632 cm², the Head Extreme Tour delivers a nice dose of power.

In the category of tennis racquets with a 632 cm² head size, slightly "control" oriented, it is in my opinion one of the most powerful racquets.

On the forehand, I had very good power, on the backhand as well, I even sometimes lacked a little control on this stroke on strong hitting with little top spin.

Even on serve, which is a stroke where I generally lack power, I felt absolutely correct in terms of power.

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

More power:

• Head Extreme MP, Instinct, Gravity S, Radical S
• Babolat Pure Drive, Pure Aero
• Yonex VCore 100, Ezone 100
• Wilson Burn, Ultra

Similar power:

• Head Speed MP, Boom MP
• Babolat Pure Drive VS

Less power:

• Wilson Blade 98, Pro Staff, Clash
• Head Radical MP, Gravity Pro/Tour/MP, Prestige, Speed Pro
• Babolat Pure Strike, Pure Aero VS
• Tecnifibre TFight 300, 305, TF 40
• Yonex Vcore Pro, Ezone 98, Vcore 95

Head Extreme Tour and spins

The Head Extreme Tour, like the Head Extreme MP, is equipped with grommets whose shape is intended to facilitate power and access to top spin.

I had very good feelings on the backhand slice, in terms of feel and control.

As for top spin, I had excellent feelings from the baseline and serving, despite the head size a bit small.

The racquet provides very good access to top spin, although players who play with extreme top spin will certainly be even more comfortable with a 645 cm² head size frame.

For a racquet in this category, it is in my opinion one of the racquets that provides the best access to top spin.

Head Extreme Tour maneuverability and stability

The balance located at 31 cm and the swingweight of 318 allow the Head Extreme Tour to have exceptional handling.

In my test, I didn't feel like I was playing with an unstrung 305g racquet; I felt the racquet was lighter than other racquets of the same weight I have tested.

The stability is correct, however I would have preferred to have a little more weight in the head of the racquet to have more.

This is something that can be easily changed by adding some lead tape to the head of the racquet.

Head Extreme Tour comfort

I found the Head Extreme Tour to be very comfortable.

I also liked the tolerance of the racquet, which is really good for a racquet with this head size.

Summary of my Head Extreme Tour review

The Head Extreme Tour is a control oriented racquet that delivers a great dose of power at the same time.

Access to top spin is excellent considering the size of the head, the racquet is very maneuverable and comfortable.

Personally, I liked it a lot, I'd just have needed a bit more weight to feel the racquet more stable and have a bit more plow through.

Players I would advise the Head Extreme Tour

Considering the characteristics of the Head Extreme Tour, I would recommend it to tennis players:

• from an intermediate to advanced level (I do not recommend for beginners),
• who are looking for control and at the same time do not want a very hard racquet to play,
• who are looking for a racquet with a good balance between power and control,
• having an offensive and top spin game style, without using extreme top spin
• who are looking for a racquet with a 632 cm² / 98 in² head size that offers good power and good access to top spin,
• who are looking for a relatively flexible and comfortable racquet,
• looking for a racquet that provides very good maneuverability.