Mike has tested the brand-new Head Extreme Pro 2026! This racket offers a great mix of spin, control, power, and solid comfort! In this review, we include a comparison with the competition, including the Babolat Pure Aero 98, Wilson Defyer 98 Pro V1, and Yonex VCORE 98.
Intro Head Extreme Pro 2026:
The biggest innovation in the Extreme Pro 2026 is in the material composition. Head now uses Hy-Bor in the shaft of the Extreme series as well: a material originating from the aerospace industry. It provides a noticeably more stable and solid feel upon ball impact, especially at high speeds. Otherwise, the racket maintains its familiar specs: 98 sq/inch head size, 305 grams, 31.5 balance, and 16x19 string pattern. The racket has a nice average RA of 64 for a good mix of directness, touch, and comfort.
Specifications:
Brand: Head
Model: Extreme Pro 2026
Head size: 98 sq/inch
Weight: 305 g
Balance: 31.5 cm
String pattern: 16×19
Length: 27 inch
RA: 64
Beam: 22mm / 23mm / 21mm
Swingweight: 319
This racket is now available in our webshop and is delivered with a free stringing of your choice.
Baseline:
This is where the Head Extreme Pro 2026 really shines! From the baseline, it is wonderful to deal out shots (with control) using this racket. You easily get sufficient length on your shots, though you do have to brush up on the ball (i.e., apply spin) to maintain margin in your strokes. What immediately stands out with this racket is the wonderfully stable and reliable (and therefore predictable) feel at ball impact. The racket feels super stable and provides plenty of feedback. The racket is less "raw" than a Babolat Pure Aero 98 Gen9 and perhaps slightly less explosive, but the Extreme Pro 2026 is more consistent, stable, and comfortable. Just as you like it. The new Wilson Defyer 98 Pro V1 is slightly more controllably explosive, and both rackets are solid in terms of comfort. This Extreme Pro 2026, however, has a bit more spin potential and feel. The Yonex VCORE 98 feels the fastest of the bunch to me, giving you a lot of racket head speed, but it is less stable than the Extreme Pro.
From the baseline, the Head Extreme Pro 2026 is, in any case, a fine, reliable, and fast weapon with above-average stability, feedback, and comfort.
Net:
I must honestly say that I tested this racket primarily in singles, where the game was played mostly from the baseline. However, when I came to the net, the Extreme Pro held its own excellently: stable against hard-hit incoming balls, yet with enough finesse for things like stop volleys. The touch is definitely in good order: I also hit a few wonderful dropshots with this racket.
Serve and return:
The racket is fast and easily maneuverable and very solid on returns, especially when the ball is coming in harder. Serving itself was not as powerful as with the Wilson Defyer 98 Pro, but it was more controlled and a lot more consistent. I think I only hit 1 double fault in 2 hours, which gives a lot of confidence. Kick and slice serves go easily and open up a range of possibilities in terms of serving.
Power/Control Head Extreme Pro 2026:
I actually find this racket very well-balanced in terms of power and control. If, for example, you are coming from a Radical MP or Radical Pro but are looking for just a bit more liveliness and spin—without losing control—then the Extreme Pro 2026 could be a very interesting option for you. It is a pity that Head no longer uses CPI (Control Power Index) numbers on the rackets. I think this racket would come out at 300, where 100/200 is maximum control (think Prestiges) and 1000 is maximum power (think of various oversize options). So, it actually leans slightly toward control over power, but the racket is beautifully balanced in terms of playing feel.
Comfort/arm-friendliness:
Superb for a racket in this range! Comparable to the Diadem Axis 98, more comfortable than the Pure Aero 98 Gen9, and perhaps just a bit more comfortable than the Defyer 98 Pro, although the latter also performs well on this front. The Extreme Pro 2026 filters out a lot of unwanted vibrations, probably due to Hy-Bor and Auxetic 2.0, whereas Yonex, for example, has integrated VDM (damping mesh) into the grip/handle of the VCORE 98. I have been having some trouble with my wrist lately, but I had absolutely no problems with the Extreme Pro 2026.
Head Extreme Pro 2026 bottom line:
The new Extreme Pro 2026 really offers a strong mix of spin, speed, and controlled power. Perhaps, compared to its giant competitors (most notably the Pure Aero 98 and Defyer 98 Pro), it is not the first racket you think of in this spin and control genre, but definitely do not forget it when you go testing! I was particularly struck by the stability and consistency, which are truly better than many of its competitors. A very solid option in the spin and control genre.
