The Head MXG 3 in the test ! How does this revolutionary racket perform on the court? Read the findings of mijnracket.nl player Mike here.
Tested racket:
Brand: Head Model: MXG 3 Head size: 100 sq/inch Weight: 295 gr Balance: 32.5 cm Stringing pattern: 16/18 Length: 27 inch RA: 72 Stringing: Head Primal (hybrid) at 24-23 kg. This string consists of a special multi-mono polyester length string, which means a polyester string with 8 cores. This provides controllable power. The cross string is a full PA multifilament for extra comfort and vibration damping.Tester:
Name: Mike Playing strength: 4/4 Type of player: somewhat 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 MXG 3 is packed with technology! The 'bridge' of the racket in particular is revolutionary. This injected magnesium bridge provides an enormous torsionally stiff frame on the one hand. On the other hand, this bridge provides an extension of the main strings for extra dynamics, power and spin. This provides an excellent combination of power and control. Hence the slogan of the new Head MXG series: 'Power under control'.
Baseline:
From the baseline the racket plays very easily. It was relatively easy to get good depth in my strokes. You also notice and hear, when you hit the ball well in the generous sweet spot, that the racket sings, so to speak. This will be due to the open bridge of this Head MXG 3. So you feel and hear it when you swing well through the ball. The ball rotation is fine with this racket, even in this hybrid setup with the new Head Primal stringing. This hybrid has a somewhat softer cross string for extra comfort and touch. A full polyester string bed would add even more rotation because the strings can slide over each other more easily in this relatively open 16/18 stringing pattern. But even with this string combination the ball rotation is more than fine!
Service:
The service power with this new Head MXG 3 is average. So you will have to put some effort into the ball to give it good speed. Compared to my current Prince Textreme Warrior 107 I noticed that this took a bit more effort. The ball bite on the other hand is more than fine. The ball is easy to grip in the strings for kick - and/or slice serves.
Just:
I found the Head MXG 3 to perform remarkably well at the net. The racket is easy to maneuver anyway due to its relatively low weight in combination with the neutral balance. The racket is also incredibly stable! I tested this racket in both singles and doubles, where the doubles involved some tough volleying. But hard balls are easy to parry with this super stable frame. I always felt like I could keep control of my volleys. The racket also has sufficient touch for subtle work, something that positively surprised me given the high RA value (stiffness) of this racket.
Power/control:
Power supposedly enough in the Head MXG 3! Only when serving I could have used some extra service power, but that is more because of my still somewhat sensitive shoulder. But the control in this racket is at least as good. The racket plays very stable, so you always keep control over your strokes. Especially at the net I found it bizarre how steady this racket played!
Comfort/arm friendliness:
Comfort is always an extra point of attention for me when I test rackets. I have to deal with a sensitive shoulder that sometimes plays up when I play a lot, like now during the competition. Especially when serving and smashing, my shoulder can be extra sensitive. With an RA value (stiffness) of 72, this racket is one of the stiffest frames that I have played. So I was a bit worried about this beforehand. But when playing, the Head MXG 3 does not feel that stiff at all. In my opinion, the racket also has a more generous sweet spot than other 100 sq/inch rackets and is therefore quite forgiving. This may be because the main strings are extended by the special bridge of the MXG rackets. In addition, the relatively open and dynamic 16/18 stringing pattern certainly helps. The comfort was therefore better than expected!
Overall impression:
The Head MXG 3 certainly lives up to the slogan 'Power under control' in my opinion! Yes, there is a lot of power in this racket, but it is also easy to control because the racket is so incredibly stable. In addition, the spin/slice is great and this racket scores better in terms of comfort than expected. The new Head Primal (hybrid) string, which is specially designed for this new racket line, is a nice addition to the mix of power and control. A beautiful and strong innovation all in all! I wouldn't be surprised if Head were to introduce this MXG (Magnesium x Graphene Touch) technology in more rackets!