Introducing the Head Radical MP 2021 (300 g)

The Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP racquet is part of Head's Radical serie, which offers intermediate racquets in terms of power and access to topspin.

Head Speed tennis racquets are also intermediate but a little more forgiving, especially compared to Head Radical tennis racquets whose head size is smaller than 100 in² / 645 cm², which is the case of the Radical MP.

The Head, Extreme and Instinct give more power, the Extreme are also more topspin oriented, the Gravity are less powerful with good access to topspin, the Prestige being Head's least powerful racquets.

Differences with the previous model

Weight increase

With this new version of the Head Radical MP, the weight of the racquet goes from 295 to 300 g unstrung.

It may not seem like much, but it's a difference you can feel.

The weight gain will provide additional power potential and increase the stability of the racquet.

In my opinion, this weight increase is a good idea, I personnaly prefer the feeling with that version, I feel I have a racquet that feels a bit more solid in my hand.

Control pattern

The string pattern features main strings that are tighter in the center of the stringbed and wider on tht sides, to increase forgiveness on off-center shots.

Graphene 360+

Graphene 360+ technology corresponds to the combination of these 2 technologies:

• Graphene 360: use of graphene material to provide strength, flexibility, lightness and stability,
• Spiral Fibers: fibers located at the bottom of the frame to give flexibility, a feeling of reduced vibrations and thus improve comfort.

The power of the Head Radical MP 2021

The Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP, with its 98 in² / 632 cm² head size, is in the category of tennis racquets with reduced power compared to most racquets with a 100 in² / 645 cm² head size.

In this category of "control" oriented racquets, the Head Radical MP offers an intermediate power, which makes it very versatile and accessible to many players.

This racquet is a bit control oriented but at the same time it's not toot difficult to play with this racquet.

I find the level of power close to that of the previous version.

I personally had a decent combination of power and control from the baseline and on the serve.

The Radical MP has a slightly reduced power, but it is still accessible to many players and you don't need to have an extremely powerful game to play with this racquet.

I recommend having medium or large swings to use this racquet.

At 5g more than the previous version of the Radical MP, this version has a bit more power potential for players who can handle an unstrung 300g weight without problems, but the feel is still very close otherwise.

To help you locate the racquet in terms of power, here is a comparison with other racquets:

More powerful racquets:

• Wilson Ultra, Burn
• Yonex EZone 100, VCore 100
• Head Extreme (dont Extreme Tour),
• Head Speed (sauf Pro), Instinct, Boom MP
• Babolat Pure Drive, Pure Aero
• Tecnifibre TF-X1

Similar racquets:

• Tecnifibre TFight 300
• Babolat Pure Strike 16x19

Less powerful racquets:

• Wilson Blade 98, Pro Staff 97
• Wilson Clash
• Yonex Ezone 98, VCore 98, VCore Pro
• Head Radical Pro, Speed Pro
• Head Prestige, Gravity
• Babolat Pure Strike 18x20, VS
• Tecnifibre TF40

Access to top spin with the Head Radical MP 2021

The Head Radical MP gives an access to topspin that is quite correct, without being extreme.

For comparison with close racquets, the Head Extreme Tour gives better topspin access, as well as the Wilson Blade 98S.

Maneuverability of the Head Radical MP 2021

The balance of the Head Graphene 360+ Radical MP racquet is located at 32 cm for an unstrung racquet, which is equivalent to a neutral balance.

With a swingweight of 326 and a head size of 98 in² / 632 cm², you get quite decent and versatile manoeuverability and stability.

I personally found the manoeuverability and stability quite good, in all areas of the game.

I sometimes struggle on the serve with head heavy tennis racquets to produce racquet head speed because I have a racquet drop that is not very deep, and I was not bothered at all concerning that point with this racquet.

Nevertheless, it's better if you're technique is overall good for the groundstrokes and for the serve.

The head size of 98 in² / 632 cm² can particularly facilitate one-handed backhand maneuverability.

Comfort of the Head Radical MP 2021

For some unknown reason, I had a better feeling of comfort with the Head Prestige MP L, with the Head Extreme Tour and even more with the Head Boom Pro.

I think it's because the tension of the strings was a bit too high for me.

While playing with the Radical MP Graphene 360+, I had a slight feeling of vibrations, but overall the playing comfort is nice.

In terms of tolerance when off-centering, it is also correct but it is preferable, as always with 98 in² / 632 cm² head sizes, to have a good centering of the ball.

To whom I would recommend the Head Radical MP 2021

This racquet is close to the previous version.

The main difference is maybe the increase of the weight, that gives a more solid feeling and more stability.

Besides that, this racquet is still a bit control oriented and the same very versatile.

I would recommend this racquet to tennis players who meet these criteria:

• intermediate or advanced players, not for beginners,
• with a slightly powerful game, who are looking for a little control without having a very hard racquet to play,
• players with correct technique, medium/large swings,
• players with a versatile game style; a bit of power and topspin or flat semi-powerful,
• who are looking for a correct access to topspin, not extreme,
• who want a racquet with neutral and versatile balance, normal maneuverability,
• who liked previous versions of the Radical MP but found it a bit too light,
• players who want a racquet with a slightly reduced head size of 98 in² / 632 cm², for control and maneuverability, without having a racquet that is too hard to play.