With the introduction of the Graphene XT material in the Prestige and Radical racket families in late 2015/early 2016, Head’s full 2016 collection picture is now known. All models now feature the Graphene XT material.
This Graphene XT material should provide more stability and maneuverability. This second generation Graphene is even stronger and lighter, which allows Head to move even more weight from the heart of the racket to the top and to the grip. The extra weight to the top of the racket should provide more stability in the blade on off-center hits, something that should be noticeable on the return, for example. The extra weight that has been moved to the other end (the grip) of the racket in turn provides extra maneuverability.
Head offers 5 racket silos for the 2016 collection, with which they want to serve all players. Below you can see them in an overview and you can see which racket line suits your playing style best.
Prestige – Precision For the player looking for maximum control and feel, Head offers the trusted Prestige collection. This racket line is for players with a large, full swing who generate enough power themselves and are therefore looking for maximum ball control and a classic, solid feel. The Graphene XT Prestige line consists of the following models:
- Prestige Pro: 98 sq/inch, 315 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Prestige MP: 98 sq/inch, 320 gr, 31.0 balance, 18/20 string pattern
- Prestige Rev Pro: 93 sq/inch, 300 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Prestige S: 98 sq/inch, 305 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
Radical – Versatility and playability The Radical line, like the Prestige line, has been in the Head collection for years. Players who are looking for a lot of feel and control, in a slightly lighter and more comfortable jacket than the Prestige, will really appreciate the Radical line. This line is for creative players with a reasonably full swing, who can already generate the necessary speed themselves. The most famous model, the Radical MP, now has a string pattern of 16/19, where its predecessor always had an 18/20 string pattern. Below is the complete Graphene XT Radical line:
- Radical Pro: 98 sq/inch, 310 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
- Radical MP: 98 sq/inch, 295 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Radical MPA: 98 sq/inch, 295 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Radical Rev Pro: 98 sq/inch, 270 gr, 35.0 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Radical S: 102 sq/inch, 280 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
- Radical Lite: 102 sq/inch, 260 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
Speed – Ultimate speed The Head Speed line is for players who want to dominate the game with power and speed from the baseline. As with the Prestige line, you need some muscle to be able to play most Speed frames. They are very solid, stable frames, slightly rounder in the blade for more spin and speed. The line has 2 models with ASP technology, where you can change the normal stringing pattern into a more open 'spin' stringing pattern by plugging in other tubings at 3 and 9 o'clock in the frame. The Graphene XT Speed line highlighted:
- Speed Pro: 100 sq/inch, 315 gr, 31.0 balance, 18/20 stringing pattern
- Speed Rev Pro: 98 sq/inch, 265 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Speed MP: 100 sq/inch, 300 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Speed MP A: 100 sq/inch, 300 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Speed S: 100 sq/inch, 285 gr, 33.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Speed Lite: 102 sq/inch, 260 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
Instinct – Power Someone who is looking for a lot of power in his shots, but with a certain retention of control and feel, should try the Head Instinct line. This line can be compared to the Pure Drive series of Babolat and is reasonably comfortable for the arm. This line offers 1 frame with ASP technology where the string pattern can be 'customized': 16/19 or 16/16 for more spin. The Head Graphene XT Instinct line at a glance:
- Instinct MP: 100 sq/inch, 300 gr, 31.5 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
- Instinct Rev Pro: 100 sq/inch, 255 gr, 34.5 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Instinct S: 102 sq/inch, 270 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
- Instinct Lite: 107 sq/inch, 280 gr, 33.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
Extreme – Spin For the spin fanatics among us, Head offers the Extreme series. This line was updated in July 2015 with the Graphene XT material and in addition, the MP version has the ASP technology for the choice of a 16/19 or 16/16 string pattern. With a slightly rounder housing in terms of frame construction compared to the Speed line, this line offers easier spin and hitting power. The blade shape is quite round to be able to 'grip' the ball more easily in the blade, even with a more extreme forehand or backhand grip. The Head Graphene XT Extreme series:
- Extreme Pro: 100 sq/inch, 315 gr, 31.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
- Extreme MP A: 100 sq/inch, 300 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Extreme Rev Pro: 100 sq/inch, 270 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 or 16/16 stringing pattern
- Extreme Lite: 100 sq/inch, 265 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 stringing pattern
IG Instinct S: comfort Back from the dead is the IG Instinct S in a special limited edition pink/purple color scheme for women. This racket is only temporarily back in the Head collection:
