Stephan has thoroughly tested the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP over the past few weeks and really enjoyed it! This racket offers a relatively high swingweight, a wonderfully full and stable feel, and a generous sweet spot.
Introducing the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP
As a racket tester, I test rackets differently from players who have used the same racket for years. I can form a clear idea of what feels good and what doesn't after just a few shots. Years ago, I played with the Head Liquid Metal Radical MP and the Microgel version. After that, I started experimenting and have played almost every racket brand. Now that Head is releasing the new Gravity series, I am curious to see if I can get that good feeling back. The Head Gravity MP is intriguing and cool to see in its demo version.
That being said, I am happy to take my time with this demo because it is the only way to learn all the ins and outs. I found it very special to play with this racket, although at the time I did not know exactly what the specifications were. I could only assume that it was made from an improved version of Graphene 360.
All I knew was that it was a Head MP (mid-plus) racket in a cool combination of matte and glossy black. The only color on the racket is text: "MASSIVE SWEETSPOT DOMINATES THE GAME". Head is not joking with that statement!
I am testing the racket with the included string. Nothing less than the - HEAD Hawk Touch - as well as the dampener (with SZ for Sascha Zverev) and the overgrip. Even strung, the racket is much lighter than my current racket, the Yonex EZONE DR 98 310.
The Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP is now available in our webshop, including free string of your choice.Baseline
One thing that immediately struck me was that the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP has slightly more weight in the head compared to my current racket. I am not used to such a balance point, but because I wanted to play the racket in its factory form, I did not add any extra weight. The lighter weight makes the Gravity MP very easy to swing, and the 16 × 20 string pattern helps generate spin while still allowing you to hit flat balls if you want to. Especially with my backhand, I can easily hit through the ball and generate a lot of controlled power. The higher balance point ensures that even hard incoming balls feel like ping pong balls that I can easily work away.
With my baseline shots, I also feel that the frame hits very stably and that the sweet spot, or rather the sweet area, is enormous. However, I do notice that a vibration dampener is not a superfluous luxury. Furthermore, it is noticeable that the frame does not sound hollow and appears to be filled, which allows the racket to go solidly through the ball despite its light weight. That immediately makes this frame unique in terms of feel. The balance point takes some getting used to, but once you get the hang of hitting loosely and quickly through the ball, the balls fly in straight lines from your racket. That is something else to be careful about. To get enough depth with this lighter frame, you do have to move up a bit, otherwise the balls will fall short.
Returns
The serve returns in particular are a joy with this stable and fast-swinging frame. Thanks to the higher balance point, you can easily parry hard serves and even attack them. Where I often resort to a slice return, I now full-swing through the ball with my backhand and forehand. It is a really nice feeling not to have to fear your opponent's serve. I think that adding some weight to the top will provide a solution to maintain enough depth in your shots. After this review, I am going to add some lead tape to the top and see if I am right. But even in its factory form, it already plays more than okay! The frame feels less stiff than frames like a Pure Aero or Pure Drive. But also not as soft as an EZONE DR 98 or the Wilson Clash 100 (which does have comparable characteristics).
Sweet spot Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP
Regarding the "enormous sweet spot", that is absolutely true. The face is 100 sq/inch, but it is the shape of the face that creates the sweet spot and helps you when you cannot always hit the balls in the center of the face (like I do). Sometimes when making fast aggressive shots such as a smash or a hard volley, I misjudge the balls, but the sweet spot of the Head Gravity MP still saves me. That is a huge plus of this frame! That makes a huge difference in points during a match.
The final color scheme (left) vs the demo color scheme of the Gravity MP
Service
Serving with the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP is wonderful and super stable. What does surprise me with a light frame. The 16 x 20 string pattern in combination with the slightly teardrop-shaped face helps to hit a heavy kick serve. With the flat serve, you do have to be careful that the balls do not go too deep.
Volleys
The fuller feel of the Gravity MP comes easily to me. Due to the presumed filling of the frame, volleys with a lot of feel and control are easily achieved. Here too, the large sweet spot and the higher balance point help to push volleys hard. Without having to exert much strength, the balls pop off my face. This means I only have to give them direction.
Conclusion
I have only just realized how much I enjoy playing with a 16 x 20 string pattern. Best of both worlds would I say. The Head Gravity MP is a V8 engine in a nice soft but also not too soft jacket with just enough control characteristics to keep the raw power of the V8 in hand and release it at the right moment. The secret of dominance lies in the enormous sweet spot and the 16 x 20 stringing pattern of the MP for the perfect mix of power and control. And just like the rest of the series, the MP is delivered with the new distinctive flip design of two different colors, as is now known.
In general, I highly recommend this racket for both beginners and advanced players. Beginners can use the frame as it is, because it is light and easy to swing and it has a large sweet spot to help with shots. The same applies to advanced players, only my suggestion to them is to string the Head Gravity MP lower and maybe add a little weight to the top. Hats off to Head! I am convinced that they have launched a best-seller with the new Gravity series that brings back the old feel of the Head frames from back in the day. That makes me happy again. So in my tennis bag, there will at least be one Head Gravity MP in the coming time! I am also very curious about how the Gravity Pro and the Gravity Tour versions play. But the MP is already a modern classic in my opinion!
The Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP is now available in our webshop, including free string of your choice.