Author Archives: RacquetQuest
Head Prestige Pro 2023 16×19 SMU
I told you something special is coming soon! Soon is here now! And it is special!
We have a limited number of Head Prestige Pro 2023 with a custom 16×19 string pattern instead of the standard 18×20 (we have those as well). These are full custom racquets, meaning they need some customization, and are usually referred to as “Pro Stock” racquets.
These racquets have a different finish than the retail version, primarily shiny instead of a matt finish anywhere.
We receive these in “raw” form, meaning they are not cut or have any post-manufacturing additives, i.e., swing weight and overall weight.
This means we can make a “full custom” version of the retail model up to 27.8 inches long (70.6 mm) except with a more open 16×19 string pattern!
However, to get things started, we will post the specifications of each racquet “as is.”
Manufacturer | Head |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Head Prestige Pro 2023 16x20 SMU |
Reference Tension | 52 |
String | MonoGut ZX Pro (PEEK) |
Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 49.0 Units |
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 59.5 pounds |
String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 43.0 pounds |
String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 35 Kg/Cm |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 57 - After stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 43.0 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 346.1 lbs/Inch |
Weight, Grams | 296 |
Weight, Ounces | 10.44 |
Balance, mm | 331 |
Balance, Inch | 13.03 |
Length, Cm | 68.6 |
Length, Inch | 27.03 |
Head Width | 9.476 |
Head Length | 13.052 |
Head Area, cm2 | 626.7 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97.1 |
Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 20.0 |
Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 20.0 |
Beam Height @ Tip | 20.0 |
Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 10.7 |
Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 10.8 |
Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.5 |
Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.2 |
Number of Main Strings | 16 |
Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .611 |
Main String Grid | 7.25 |
Cross String Grid | 10.0 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | 74.6% |
Average Cross String Space | .526 |
Average Main String Space | ,453 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
First Moment, Nm | .758 |
Polar Moment | 299.0 |
Torsional Stability | 14 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 285.0 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.05 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 324.3 |
Power, RDC | 37 |
Control, RDC | 64 |
Manueverability, RDC | 97 |
Power, Calculated | 1593.8 |
Head Points | 3.78 |
Head Weight, % | 48,3% |
Center of Percussion | 20.3 |
Dwell Time, ms | 6.048 |
Efective Stiffness - lbs | 26.3 |
K, Lb/In | 157.05 |
Recoil Weight | 129.23 |
Twist Weight | 199.70 |
End Weight | 117.0 |
Tip Weight | 179.2 |
9 O'Clock | 89.5 |
3 O'Clock | 90.0 |
Butt Cap | 116.6 |
COF, Main | .412 |
COF, Cross | .331 |
Now for some GOOD news!
It seems that I am recovering from this cold or whatever it is, so now we can return to a relatively normal schedule!
I want to start with some comments from Willie B. regarding string. Â After you read Willie’s comments, we can talk about the string and why it does what it does: to allow players of any level to play without discomfort.
Here is from Willie:
“FYI, my inability to play tennis more than 1-twice a week due to the pain for over 4 years impacted my game. The last time I was ranked was 5.0, but now at 47, probably more like 4.5 (No tournament for the previous 5 years)
The good news is that with the feel of those strings, I can hit back (I practiced with a top player last Sunday, and he even felt it as I am not scared to go big… I have played with him for over a decade)”.
Willie’s racquet technician is Henry Hamels of String MD. Â Thank you, Henry, for sharing!
If you have not already guessed, the string material is PEEK, polyetheretherketone, which was marketed as Zyex by Ashaway under the MonoGut ZX and ZX Pro models! Â This monofilament format offers an alternative to stiffer monofilament strings while providing, in most cases, better performance and durability!
- The raw material is expensive.
- Some
racquet techniciansstringers simply don’t know how to handle PEEK.- The high elongation of PEEK is a surprise to the first-time stringer.
- Marketing hype is not strong.
- Very few players and stringers know about this alternative.
- See Marketing Hype above!
- Stringers may have had a poor experience before and are wary.
- The material does not change shape; therefore, knots are not as tiny as some stringers prefer.
- PEEK will “tighten” its own knots.
- Beginning stringers may over-tighten the knot, causing failure…never to be used again!
- Currently, the material is available in two (2) colors, tan and black.
- MonoGut ZX is 16 gauge
- MonoGut ZX Pro is 17 gauge
Depending on the player’s tennis intentions, we may start them on PEEK at age nine (9) but no later than twelve (12).
Thank you, Willie, for your comments!
To see if this material will benefit your game now and for the long term, ask your racquet technician. Â
- Please text us if you need additional information: Â 407.491.4755
- Comment on this site, and we will respond to specific questions.
- If, based on our player history, your application may not be the best, we will tell you.
- Very beginning players and those players experimenting with various strokes creating mis-hits need to be recognized.
Visitors to the World Headquarters
Racquet Quest, LLC World Headquarters was a very busy place recently! Â It is always busy doing racquet work but this “busyness” was to share some time with visitors from around the world!
Albert Murata, from Hawaii, Â and his wife Heather were in town to play the 55’s at the USTA Campus, happily, they took the time to come by and chat about stinging stuff. Â You can reach Albert here.
Also here was Randy St Pierre from the UK. Â Randy stops by about twice a year and we always have vibrant discussions.
Coming from Lyon, France was Eric Ferrazzi, Carine, and Camille! Â This is our French Family and it is always wonderful to have them here with us!
Since all of us are in the tennis business we have a lot to talk about.
It seems our discussions normally start with strings! Â Imagine that! Â Why do we talk about string, because it breaks and we replace it. Â Why does it break? Â There are several reasons but for right now we are focused on the grommet set in the racquet. Â Some grommets around the top of the racquet have very shallow grooves and the string can be exposed to court and fail. Â Not after one altercation with the court but over time for sure!
Racquet Characteristics are always popular to discuss with stiffness being one of the top subjects. Â You can see some racquet stiffnesses here.
Nothing is off limits so we always have a good time.
Head Prestige 2023
The Head Prestige 2023 series is here!
Model | Head Size | String Pattern | Unstrung Weight | Unstrung Swing Weight | RDC Stiffness |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Head Prestige Pro 2023 | 98 | 18x20 | 318 | 284 | 61 |
Head Prestige Tour 2023 | 95 | 16x19 | 313 | 295 | 66 |
Head Prestige MP L 2023 | 99 | 16x19 | 303 | 285 | 64 |
There is much to be said about these new Prestige 2023 models and the first thing that needs to be clear is that these are not “stiff” racquets. Â Of course, a Prestige Mid 93 strung with poly at 55 pounds will be ultra stiff on impact! Â I think that is not the fault of the racquet!
You can approximate the strung weight by adding 17-20 grams to the weight and adding about 30 units to the swing weight.
Racquet stiffness can be mitigated by adjusting the Effective stiffness for the player.
Racquet Model | Head Size | RDC Stiffness |
---|---|---|
Yonex V-Core 98 | 98 | 66 |
Yonex Percept 100 | 100 | 68 |
Wilson Shift 99L | 99 | 71 |
Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14 | 97 | 68 |
Wilson Pro Staff 97L | 97 | 70 |
Wilson H22 | 97 | 65 |
Head Boom Pro | 98 | 69 |
Head Extreme MP | 100 | 70 |
Babolat Pure Drive | 100 | 71 |
Babolat Pure Aero | 100 | 67 |
Wilson Shift 99L Yes it is HERE!
This could be the Shift you are waiting for!
The Wilson Shift 99 L
The same new technology in a slightly lighter package!
We will post all the specifications soon but we wanted to let you know they are here!
I believe this will be a great platform for future growth! Â The swing weight is a little low. However, that can be changed as necessary to achieve the growth in performance. Â The stiffness of this racquet does lend to the power shown in the specifications, but the lateral bending will benefit those looking for comfort.
Manufacturer | Wilson |
---|---|
Racquet Model | Wilson Shift 99L |
Reference Tension | 55 |
String | MonoGut ZX Pro |
Machine Used | True Tension Pro |
String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 52.0 |
String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 60.0 |
String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 46.0 |
String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 36 kg/cm |
Racquet Flex, RDC | 68 After Stringing |
Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 46.0 |
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 403.2 Lbs/In |
Weight, Grams | 312 |
Weight, Ounces | 11.01 |
Balance, mm | 323 |
Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
Length, Cm | 68.6 |
Length, Inch | 27.03 |
Head Width | 9.82 |
Head Length | 12.74 |
Head Area, cm2 | 633.6 |
Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.2 |
Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 23.0 |
Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 24.0 |
Beam Height @ Tip | 24.0 |
Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 12.3 |
Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 13.3 |
Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 11.0 |
Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 13.0(including bumper) |
Number of Main Strings | 16 |
Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
Ratio Cross/Mains | .617 |
Main String Grid | 7.25 |
Cross String Grid | 10.87 |
Density (% of head filled with string) | 71.6% |
Average Cross String Space | .494 |
Average Main String Space | .445 |
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT MasterTensometer | 36 kg/cm |
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.35 |
First Moment, Nm | .774 |
Polar Moment | 311 |
Torsional Stability | 14 |
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 297 |
Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.48 |
Swing Weight Calculated | 325.5 (full-length) |
Power, RDC | 51.0 |
Control, RDC | 50.0 |
Manueverability, RDC | 74.0 |
Power, Calculated | 2003.2 |
Head Points | 6.30 |
Head Weight, % | 47.1% |
Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
Dwell Time, ms | 6.03 |
Dwell Time, Spin, ms | 8.82 |
Effective Stiffness | 29.5 |
K, Lb/In | 166.67 |
Recoil Weight | 144.06 |
Twist Weight | 224.76 |
End Weight | 128.1 |
Tip Weight | 182.9 |
9 O'Clock | 94.7 |
3 O'Clock | 94.3 |
Butt Cap | 123.5 |
COF, Main | .315 |
COF, Cross | .346 |