Category Archives: Players
Tecnifibre TF40 305/16M
Tecnifibre has introduced the new TF40 series in a very much appreciated 16 x 19 string pattern! The 18 x 20 pattern is a good one but we think it may intimidate some potential buyers.
This initial review is for the 305 series, with 305 being the gram weight of the unstrung racquet, in case you didn’t know!
As with all the Tecnifibre racquets we have been in contact with this new one looks to be very well done with some subtle details that are interesting.
One is the textured decal on the “Tecnifibre” side of the shaft. It is obvious to the touch and we think it adds to the overall aesthetic of the racquet. Another one is the slightly asymmetrical terminus of the shaft at the grip top. It is barely noticeable but I like it!
One of the additions to the series is the “Foam Inside” component. Some players really like the “feel” of foam-filled racquets and this one is filled to the brim! Since it is filled with foam Tecnifibre does not see the need for a “trap door” on the butt cap, so if any work needs to be done back there the butt cap needs to come off. I don’t think there will be much needed so the solid butt cap eliminates the potential for “buzzing” which has plagued some racquet models.
The TF40 305 is a thin beam, 22mm all the way from the grip top to the very tip of the racquet. with a box shaft and an elliptical head cross-section.
Tecnifibre TF40 305 16×19
Foam Inside
Tecnifibre TF40 305
| Manufacturer | Tecnifibre |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Tecnifibre TF40 305/16M |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Ashaway MonoGut ZX Pro |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 55.0 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 65.0 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 64 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 54.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 378.2 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 328 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.57 |
| Balance, mm | 330 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.99 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.59 |
| Head Length | 12.82 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 622.9 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.5 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .630 |
| Main String Grid | 7.125 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.75 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .669 |
| Average Cross String Space | .496 |
| Average Main String Space | .429 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .837 |
| Polar Moment | 334 |
| Torsional Stability | 14 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 320 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 357.2 |
| Power, RDC | 48 |
| Control, RDC | 53 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 73 |
| Power, Calculated | 1997.1 |
| Head Points | 4.09 |
| Head Weight, % | 48.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.6 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.58 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.6 |
| K, Lb/In | 195.76 |
| Recoil Weight | 146.89 |
| Twist Weight | 228.20 |
| End Weight | 128.8 |
| Tip Weight | 199.2 |
| 9 O'Clock | 99.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 99.2 |
| Butt Cap | 128.9 |
Head Prestige Pro 2021
This years Head Prestige Pro is last years Prestige MP. 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? A thin beam, heavy (sort of), 18×20 pattern, players racquet, that’s what! 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. 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! This racquet could also be a baseliners dream come true. 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.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Prestige Pro 2021 |
| Reference Tension | 52 lbs - 23.6 kg |
| String | Head Reflex MLT 17 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 53.0 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 62.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 58 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 36.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 326.1 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 342 |
| Weight, Ounces | 12.06 |
| Balance, mm | 318 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.52 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.48 |
| Head Length | 13.06 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 627.4 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 97.2 |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .653 |
| Main String Grid | 7.56 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.24 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .791 |
| Average Cross String Space | .513 |
| Average Main String Space | .417 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .832 |
| Polar Moment | 333 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 318 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.22 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 345.8 |
| Power, RDC | 45 |
| Control, RDC | 56 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 75 |
| Power, Calculated | 1811.5 |
| Head Points | 7.87 |
| Head Weight, % | 46.4% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.7 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.74 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.7 |
| K, Lb/In | 169.87 |
| Recoil Weight | 157.84 |
| Twist Weight | 230.87 |
| End Weight | 143.2 |
| Tip Weight | 198.9 |
| 9 O'Clock | 102.8 |
| 3 O'Clock | 100.3 |
| Butt Cap | 140.3 |
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!
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”. 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.
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Prestige Tour 2021 |
| Reference Tension | 53 lbs - 24.0 kg |
| String | Victrex 7718 (PEEK) |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 50.0 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 63.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 42.5 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 384.6 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 336 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.85 |
| Balance, mm | 326 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.83 |
| Length, Cm | 68.5 |
| Length, Inch | 26.968 |
| Head Width | 9.406 |
| Head Length | 12.78 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 608.9 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 94.4 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .620 |
| Main String Grid | 7.20 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.125 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .695 |
| Average Cross String Space | .464 |
| Average Main String Space | .445 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 34 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 190.16 |
| First Moment, Nm | .844 |
| Polar Moment | 347 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 331 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.68 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 357.1 |
| Power, RDC | 53 |
| Control, RDC | 47 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 66 |
| Power, Calculated | 1968.0 |
| Head Points | 5.20 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.6% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.1 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 9.00 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 27.9 |
| K, Lb/In | 160.26 |
| Recoil Weight | 161.61 |
| Twist Weight | 223.59 |
| End Weight | 136.8 |
| Tip Weight | 200.6 |
| 9 O'Clock | 99.5 |
| 3 O'Clock | 101.4 |
| Butt Cap | 134.9 |
Head Prestige MP 2021 Series
OK, here comes another racquet review!
You know our reviews are “numbers” based, not hitter based because we just like numbers! Hitters are Important but to get the most meaningful data from a racquet requires numbers. These numbers can then be applied to the feedback of the hitter.
The new Head Prestige MP 2021 is a 99 square inch head with the 18×19 string pattern so common in player style racquets. This combination may “scare off” some users but that would be a mistake in our opinion.
As you would expect this racquet is a thin box beam box design which creates an in plane stiffness of 384.6 pounds, which can be used to create a very friendly string bed stiffness. Take a look at the “effective stiffness” and you will see what we mean!
In addition to the nice in plane stiffness this racquet uses Head’s new Auxetic construction in the throat which is designed for comfort and control from each hit by allowing the throat to “expand 
and contract” a little.
The bright red color of last years Prestige series has been replaced with a “matt” graphite transitioning into the classic Prestige maroon aroun
d the head of the racquet making this a classic in its own right!
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Prestige MP 2021 |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Victrex 7718 (PEEK) |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 54 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 66.0 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 63 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 41.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 384.6 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 332 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.71 |
| Balance, mm | 327 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.87 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.551 |
| Head Length | 13.13 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 635.4 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 98.5 |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .689 |
| Main String Grid | 8.00 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.10 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .727 |
| Average Cross String Space | .529 |
| Average Main String Space | .396 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.7 |
| First Moment, Nm | .837 |
| Polar Moment | 343 |
| Torsional Stability | 17 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 326 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.50 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 355.0 |
| Power, RDC | 49 |
| Control, RDC | 52 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 69 |
| Power, Calculated | 2042.9 |
| Head Points | 5.04 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.7% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.016 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.66 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.1 |
| K, Lb/In | 173.08 |
| Recoil Weight | 157.3 |
| Twist Weight | 227.24 |
| End Weight | 133.1 |
| Tip Weight | 200.8 |
| 9 O'Clock | 101.3 |
| 3 O'Clock | 98.9 |
| Butt Cap | 131.3 |
Racquet Quest, LLC
