Tested racket:
Brand: Head Model: Graphene Touch Instinct MP Head size: 100 sq/inch Weight: 300 gr Balance: 32.0 cm Stringing pattern: 16/19 Length: 27 inch RA: 69 Stringing: Head Sonic Pro 17 (1.25 mm) black on 24-24 kg
Tester:
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: somewhat more classic player, flat groundstrokes, generates little spin himself. Had shoulder problems until recently Player's racket history: Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP and the Prince Textreme Warrior 107. Recently also the Babolat Pure Strike 16/19 2017 in use.
Technology:
The Head Graphene Touch Instinct series is the second racket family from Head that has switched to the new Graphene Touch material. Our first introduction to this material was when testing the Head Graphene Touch Speed S and the Graphene Touch Speed MP. We were pleasantly surprised by the ball feel and comfort of both frames. Now it is the turn of the showpiece of the new Instinct series, the Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP.
Baseline:
From the baseline it is quickly noticeable that the Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP has excellent power. It was relatively easy to get a good length in my strokes. The racket also offers excellent stability, only the sweet spot of this racket is somewhat smaller than for example the Babolat Pure Drive or the Wilson Ultra 100. However, the Graphene Touch Instinct MP wins in terms of stability and ball feel over these two other frames. The spin potential is more than fine: it is easy to generate spin with this racket. The grip of the ball also provided wonderful, tight slice backhands. In terms of comfort and vibration damping I found the racket to perform slightly less well than the Speed MP which also has the Graphene Touch material. The Instinct series from Head stands for 'Effortless Power' and there is, so to speak, more than enough power in this Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP. However, the ideal hitting zone, or sweet spot, was not as large as with its predecessor: the Graphene XT Instinct MP. The latter offered more comfort and maneuverability. This new version therefore offers more power and feeling when steering and placing the ball.Service:
I really enjoyed serving with this racket. In my opinion, there is also more service power in this racket than in the 'old' Instinct and I found it easier to generate speed with this racket compared to the Graphene Touch Speed MP. However, after playing I had a bit more trouble with my (still somewhat) sensitive shoulder. I didn't have that with the Speed MP. The Speed MP is clearly more comfortable and dampens vibrations better. The power was fine, slice and kick serves were also easy to perform.
Just:
At the net the Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP felt nice and fast. Hard balls were easy to parry/block, where volleys felt a bit behind. A nice and stable racket at the net.
Power/control:
I have absolutely nothing to complain about the power in this frame, good ball control can also be found in this racket. I did notice that the balls had to be hit a bit more precisely in the sweet spot than I am used to from the Instinct rackets. Because of this, it happened once that the racket twisted, where I did not expect this at all. However, the feeling/connection with the ball is in my opinion better than with the predecessor of this racket. The racket is more stable and offers better control and placement of the ball. So in a racket that offered a somewhat smaller sweet spot than I expected. For example, the Babolat Pure Drive and the Wilson Ultra 100 are somewhat more 'forgiving' in that respect.
Comfort/arm friendliness:
This was also reflected in the comfort of the Head Graphene Touch Instinct MP. The Babolat Pure Drive and Wilson Ultra 100 (which work with the same specifications as in weight, blade size, balance and string pattern) are 'easier on the arm' and offer more damping. On the other hand, the new Instinct MP offers more stability and control.
