Category Archives: News!

We Believe!

In addition to our commitment to full custom racquets, we also believe in racquets that have been pushed aside by newer models just because it is the thing to do each year!

Of course, there can be material and design changes to racquets that make them desirable and that is always a good thing but maybe not every year! ย Our experience has been that a typical consumer will use a racquet for about three (3) years. ย But we also know that there are those players that want the very latest of everything!

This post is to let you know that there is life before the latest racquets!

We know the Head Speed Graphene Touch is an extraordinary tennis racquet! ย The shared hole string pattern was around for a short time but it is a good pattern…so we have some of those!

The Head Prestige Tour Graphene 360+ is another incredible tennis racquet that should not be overlooked even though the Auxetic Prestige series is here. ย The Prestige Tour features a 99 square inch head size with an 18×19 string pattern. ย This is a real “players” racquet, to use the common descriptive, although anyone can play with this racquet. ย We have these!

The Yonex V-Core without the VDM is another example of a good racquet being replaced before its time, and the same goes for the V-Core Pro 97 and 100! ย Some players prefer the feedback of the non-VDM racquets. ย We have those.

The previous version of the Wilson Ultra 100 is preferred by some due to the grip pallet configuration and construction.

So what is the point, here?

Very simply it is to let everyone know that there is life after new models by opting for an older model, and, letting those that prefer previous models know that some are available. ย These racquets will not be “dumped”, they are too good for that!

Of course, there are not many of the “special” racquets so use the “Easy Order” tab to let us know you are thinking about one or more!

 

 

What is an Over-Grip for?

Well, it seems pretty clear that an overgrip is intended to keep the under-grip in good condition for a longer period.

Consider an under-grip of synthetic material that will cost about $15.00 installed and an overgrip is about $1.00 (we put one on for free with every racquet we string). Is it because we are so nice or because we don’t want to spend a lot of time handling your old overgrip! It could be both!

New Over-Grip!

If you listened to the latest Racquet Quest Podcast you heard about our upgrade from Yonex Super Grap to Head Prime Tour overgrips! Why?

There are several reasons but a major one is the packaging of the Head overgrip helps with our efficiency of handling and installing an overgrip. It sounds like a small detail but it is important to us. Plus, the material of the Head Prime Tour is very effective in what it is intended to do!

So, why don’t some players ever change their overgrip? We don’t know! Do you? If so please tell us.

Old Over-Grip!

If you need help installing your overgrip you are welcome to come by the World Headquarters and we will do it for you.

Over-grips are cost-effective enhancements to your racquet grip and your game! ย So, get a good clean grip on your racquet!

Head Prime Tour Over-Grip

Head Prestige Pro 2021

This years Head Prestige Pro is last years Prestige MP. ย This name change was made to synchronize all the 18×20 string patterns as the “Pro” model…I think!

So, what’s in a name? ย A thin beam, heavy (sort of), 18×20 pattern, players racquet, that’s what! ย The Prestige Pro also includes the new Auxetic material and construction for a refined feel.

For some reason Head Prestige racquets have been called “stiff” by some and this is certainly not the case and never has been. ย  This racquet is not stiff! As with any racquet the string selection can have a huge effect on “stiffness” so take a look at the effective stiffness!

I believe this is going to be a “control freaks” racquet! ย This racquet could also be a baseliners dream come true. ย The weight will drive through the ball and the swing weight will allow for some last nano-second stroke adjustments.

Take at look at the data below then go to the Prestige 2021 Comparative Data post to see all the models in one place.

A baseliners dream!
ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Prestige Pro 2021
Reference Tension52 lbs - 23.6 kg
String
Head Reflex MLT 17
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC53.0
ASPS, FlexFour62.5
Racquet Flex, RDC58 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour36.0
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness326.1 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams342
Weight, Ounces12.06

Balance, mm318
Balance, Inch12.52
Length, Cm68.6
Length, Inch27.008
Head Width9.48
Head Length13.06
Head Area, cm2627.4
Head Area, Sq. Inch97.2
Number of Main Strings18
Number of Cross Strings20
Ratio Cross/Mains.653
Main String Grid7.56
Cross String Grid10.24
Density (% of head filled with string).791
Average Cross String Space.513
Average Main String Space.417
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT35
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in195.76
First Moment, Nm.832
Polar Moment333
Torsional Stability15
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2318
Swing Weight, Ounces11.22
Swing Weight Calculated345.8
Power, RDC45
Control, RDC56
Manueverability, RDC75
Power, Calculated 1811.5
Head Points7.87
Head Weight, %46.4%
Center of Percussion20.7
Dwell Time, ms8.74
Efective Stiffness - lbs27.7
K, Lb/In169.87
Recoil Weight157.84
Twist Weight230.87
End Weight 143.2
Tip Weight 198.9
9 O'Clock102.8
3 O'Clock100.3
Butt Cap140.3

Head Prestige Tour 2021

This racquet has the potential to be the hottest new Prestige in a long time. The “Tour” series is not new to the Prestige line but this one has some differences that are meaningful, we think!

This new Tour is a 16×19 string pattern inserted into a 95 square inch hitting area! Compare that to the previous Tour with a 18×19 string pattern in a 99 square inch head(now the new Prestige MP)…so you can see where this one is headed!

All of the new Prestige 2021 racquets will come with the full cap system that has become the “iconic” Prestige accoutrement. ย 

Also included in the Prestige Tour is the Auxetic material and construction that is intended to provide a better feeling impact and maybe a little more “energy”. ย The shaft has a slightly different geometry and is a little shorter than some other models, however, the graphics indicate the shaft is “elongated”.

The “box” beam is a relatively constant 22mm from start to finish and is beautifully done in matt black transitioning into the Prestige maroon.

ManufacturerHead
Racquet ModelHead Prestige Tour 2021
Reference Tension53 lbs - 24.0 kg
String
Victrex 7718 (PEEK)
Machine UsedTrue Tension Professional
Static
ASPS, RDC50.0
ASPS, FlexFour63.5
Racquet Flex, RDC63 - After stringing
Racquet Flex, FlexFour42.5
Racquet - In Plane Stiffness384.6 lbs/Inch
Weight, Grams336
Weight, Ounces11.85

Balance, mm326
Balance, Inch12.83
Length, Cm68.5
Length, Inch26.968
Head Width9.406
Head Length12.78
Head Area, cm2608.9
Head Area, Sq. Inch94.4
Number of Main Strings16
Number of Cross Strings19
Ratio Cross/Mains.620
Main String Grid7.20
Cross String Grid9.125
Density (% of head filled with string).695
Average Cross String Space.464
Average Main String Space.445
Dynamic
Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT34
Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in190.16
First Moment, Nm.844
Polar Moment347
Torsional Stability16
Swing Weight, Kg/cm2331
Swing Weight, Ounces11.68
Swing Weight Calculated357.1
Power, RDC53
Control, RDC47
Manueverability, RDC66
Power, Calculated 1968.0
Head Points5.20
Head Weight, %47.6%
Center of Percussion21.1
Dwell Time, ms9.00
Efective Stiffness - lbs27.9
K, Lb/In160.26
Recoil Weight161.61
Twist Weight223.59
End Weight 136.8
Tip Weight 200.6
9 O'Clock99.5
3 O'Clock101.4
Butt Cap134.9