The new Head Prestige racket family has arrived! The Head Graphene XT Prestige S makes the Prestige accessible to a wider range of players thanks to its all-round weight combined with a dynamic 16/19 string pattern.

Brand: Head
Model: Graphene XT Prestige S
Head size: 98 sq/inch
Weight: 305 g
Balance: 32.0 cm
String pattern: 16/19
Length: 27 inch
RA: 62

Traditionally, Head’s Prestige racket line is the most control-oriented line the brand offers. The Graphene XT versions of the Prestige stay true to their roots and continue to deliver excellent ball control and feel. The Graphene XT Prestige racket line is for players who generate ball speed themselves with a big, full swing. The Prestige S is no different; however, of all four new models, the Head Graphene XT Prestige S is the most accessible. Read on to find out why.

The Head Graphene XT Prestige S may not be the lightest racket in the new Prestige series, but it is the easiest to play with thanks to the combination of a 98 sq/inch head and a relatively open 16/19 string pattern for greater dynamism. The Prestige Rev Pro is 5 grams lighter, but has a 93 sq/inch Mid head with a very small sweet spot. The 32.0 cm balance point also gives the racket a little more swingweight, or mass to swing through the ball. The racket’s elegant, slim, straight, and classic frame design delivers the familiar feel and control of the Prestige series.

On court, it is clear that the Head Graphene XT Prestige S is a very control-oriented racket. You have to swing hard yourself to generate ball speed, but if you do, it provides plenty of power in return. This is clearly a frame for players who prefer control over power. However, if you take the ball early (a first striker, as Babolat and Wilson so aptly call it), the Head Graphene XT Prestige S excels in control and offers excellent ball feel in an easily maneuverable package. Its spin potential is excellent thanks to the dynamic 16/19 string pattern. In terms of serve power, this frame does not offer the free power of a Babolat Pure Drive or Pure Aero, for example, but it does offer more feel when you generate the power yourself and serve aggressively. For players who want a little extra power from this control racket, a hybrid string setup is recommended for the Head Graphene XT Prestige S. For maximum control, however, string it with a full bed of polyester strings (mains and crosses). Comparable rackets: Prince Textreme Tour 100P, Wilson Blade 98, and the Babolat Pure Strike 18/20.