Introducing the Head Extreme Tour 2022 racquet

The Head Extreme line is composed of powerful and topspin oriented tennis racquets.

This is the 2022 version of the Head Extreme Tour, the second version of this model that appeared later in the line, the least powerful racquet in the Head Extreme line.

Graphene 360+

The Head Extreme Tour still features Graphene 360+ technology, which is great for light weight, good energy return when hitting the ball, without sacrificing stability and comfort.

Spin grommets

This technology present on the previous model concerns the central grommets of the racquet, which have an elongated shape for cross strings and rounded but enlarged for main strings, facilitating the movements of the strings, therefore the access to topspin, it helps also for the power.

Auxetic technology

This is what's new with this version of the Extreme Tour.

Auxetic materials, that are used in other domains than tennis, have a surprising property: they get bigger when stretched lengthwise and when compressed they get thinner.

These materials are used for Head tennis racquets to improve feel and therefore player confidence.

This technology is also useful in absorbing shock and vibration to provide excellent comfort.

Stiffness

It's not a technology but it is interesting to note that the Head Extreme Tour manages to combine a fairly low stiffness (63 Ra), interesting for comfort, with a very good level of power.

The Power of the Head Extreme Tour 2022 racquet

The head size of the racquet is 98 in² / 632 cm², it reduces the power compared 100 in² / 645 cm² tennis racquets and larger, so the Head Extreme Tour is a slightly reduced power racquet but at the same time it is still very accessible.

In the 98 in² headsize category, this is one of the most powerful racquets.

The power level is identical to the previous version of the Head Extreme Tour.

I found the right amount of power for my game from the baseline as well as on the serve.

It's a sign that the racquet gives a decent amount of power because I tend to lack power on my serve.

Of course, for the power, pay attention to the tension of your strings ; the lower the tension, the more power you will get.

I had a better control with this one than with the Head Extreme Tour.

This racquet will be interesting for players looking for a slightly control oriented racquet with slightly reduced power that also offers a good level of power.

In terms of swing technique, I would recommend this racquet to players with medium to large swings.

Advanced players with rather short swings will also be able to generate some pace and power becuse the racquet is very maneuverable.

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

More power:

• Babolat Pure Drive
• Head Extreme MP
• Head Boom, Speed, Instinct MP
• Wilson Burn, Ultra
• Yonex Ezone 100

Similar power:

• Babolat Pure Aero 98
• Babolat Pure Drive VS
• Head Prestige MP L
• Wilson Shift 99 (300 g)
• Wilson Blade 98S

Less power :

• Head Prestige sauf MP L
• Head Gravity
• Babolat Pure Strike
• Wilson Blade 98 16x19, 18x20
• Wilson Pro Staff
• Yonex VCore 98, EZone 98
• Yonex VCore Pro

Access to spins with the Head Extreme Tour 2022 racquet

I liked the racquet on my slice backhand and the topspin access is excellent, despite the slightly smaller 98 in² headsize.

This is one of the 98 in² racquets that provides the best access to topspin, along with the Wilson Blade 98S and the Babolat Pure Aero 98.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is excellent as well, thanks to the 31.5 cm / 9 pts HL balance and 317 swingweight.

Overall I liked the manoeuverability of the racquet, for my one handed backhand but also for my forehand because it helped me for swing speed.

I found the racquet to be particularly head light, a bit too light for me, I had the feeling that the racquet was a bit "empty" on the head.

This had the advantage of giving me a very good swing speed, which is interesting when you have to make short swings or for topspin shots, but I would have preferred to feel more solidity and stability with a bit more weight in the head of the frame.

The fact that the racquet is head light is not good or bad, it will depend on every player.

Anyway, this balance gave me the impression that the racquet was lighter than 305g.

This feeling can be modified, for those who wish to do so, by customizing the racquet and adding a bit of weight at the height of the contact point.

In terms of maneuverability, I found the feel to be identical to the previous model.

Comfort of the Head Extreme MP 2022

As with the previous version, I found the comfort to be very good and it was nice to play with this racquet.

It's interesting to notice that the Head Extreme Tour has a fairly low stiffness of 63 Ra, which is good for comfort, but still has a decent amount of power.

I found the forgiveness to be quite decent, even if of course it's a bit less tolerant than a 100 in² head size.

Comparison with the Head Extreme MP

The Head Extreme MP will give more power than the Head Extreme Tour.

The Head Extreme Tour is for more powerful players who are looking for more control.

I found the Head Extreme Tour easier to swing than the Extreme MP even though it weighs 5 grams more but it is more head light with a balance of 31.5 cm instead of 32 cm for the Extreme MP.

Access to topspin is excellent with both racquets, slightly better with the Extreme MP that has a bigger head size.

Both racquets are very comfortable.

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

I would recommend the Head Extreme Tour 2022 to players:

• with an intermediate or advanced level, not for beginners,
• for beginners, see the Head Extreme Team L (265g) or MP L (285g),
• with a modern game style ; power and topspin,
• or a game style with more touch, slice, even flat game without crazy power,
• who play with a two-handed or a one-handed backhand, the maneuverability will be interesting for the one-handed backhand,
• who want a medium power/slightly control oriented racquet that is not too hard to play with,
• who want a racquet with a 98 headsize with good power and access to topspin,
• a racquet with excellent maneuverability, a head light tennis racquet that overall does not feel heavy,
• a racquet with a good level power without being too stiff,
• with a very good level of comfort,
• who like the Head Extreme MP but lack a bit of control and manoeuverability
• the Head Extreme Tour is also a great choice for those who already enjoy the old version of the Head Extreme Tour and want to renew it while keeping the same feel.