The new racket of Davis Cup hero Andy Murray is the Head Graphene XT Radical Pro. It offers more power than its predecessor while remaining a great all-rounder!
Brand: Head Model: Graphene XT Radical Pro Head size: 98 sq/inch Weight: 310 g Balance: 31.5 cm String pattern: 16/19 Length: 27 inches RA: 67 The Head Graphene XT Radical Pro is the successor to the Graphene Radical Pro. Graphene XT is designed to provide greater stability and maneuverability. This second generation of Graphene is even stronger and lighter, allowing Head to shift more weight from the racket's throat towards the head and handle. The extra weight in the racket head should provide greater stability on off-center hits. This should be noticeable, for example, on returns. The extra weight shifted to the other end of the racket—the handle—makes it more maneuverable.
At 310 grams unstrung, the Head Graphene XT Radical Pro is the heaviest racket in the new Radical range. However, it doesn’t feel as heavy as its weight might suggest. This is thanks to its 31.5 cm head-light balance, combined with the way Graphene XT redistributes the weight. This makes the racket very easy to maneuver, both from the baseline and at the net. It offers even more power than its predecessor, but sacrifices a little control as a result. The Graphene Radical Pro offered a better balance between the two.
The increased power also gives the racket a somewhat stiffer feel—a major change from all Radical models before Graphene and Graphene XT were introduced. The added power does, however, make the new series more accessible to a wider audience. The sweet spot of the Head Graphene XT Radical Pro feels somewhat smaller, and off-center hits lose their pace more quickly. As a result, the racket is slightly less forgiving than, for example, the Yonex EZONE DR 98, a racket with similar specifications. It performs best with a polyester string that isn’t strung too tightly, or with a hybrid setup (polyester in the mains and multifilament or natural gut in the crosses). The Head Graphene XT Radical Pro performs well all over the court—from the baseline to the net and on serve—making it a true all-court racket, though it is somewhat more power-oriented than its predecessor.
