Category Archives: True Tension
Head Boom Team 2022…BOOM!
It is here, and I bet you heard another big BOOM recently!
The Head Boom Team 2022 has arrived and is ready for you to try! The Boom Team is a valuable addition to the Head lineup.
For years players have been asking for a 102 square inch racquet that has the “player” characteristics they wanted.
Player characteristics can mean different things to different players, but here is what the Head Boom Team 2022 has:
A fairly thin beam
A thin head cross-section
A modified box beam shaft cross-section
This racquet continues with Graphene and fresh Auxetic material that has been popular in the Boom Pro and Boom MP!
All specifications are in the chart below but suffice to say; this is a significant step in the right direction!
Looking at the inside of the shaft, you will notice the transitional shape from a thin box beam into a slightly thicker trapezoidal beam.
The head shape also continues with the broader upper section like the Boom Pro and Boom MP. Most “aggressive” shots are hitting the string bed in this area, so giving it more energy makes sense!
The density of the string in that area should contribute to good string life.
The first thing you notice upon pickup (first moment) is the weight distribution. While this is still a “headlight” model (see the specs below), the weight is toward the tip of the racquet.
We have had great results with the Boom Pro and Boom MP in both “retail” and full custom racquets, so, If you are considering a racquet upgrade, this one should be on your list!
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Boom Team 2022 |
| Reference Tension | 55 lbs - 24.9 kg |
| String | Head Reflex MLT 17 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 48.0 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 64 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 61 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 45.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 389.6 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 300 |
| Weight, Ounces | 10.58 |
| Balance, mm | 337 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.27 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 9.97 |
| Head Length | 13.065 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 659.7 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 102.3 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .642 |
| Main String Grid | 7.80 |
| Cross String Grid | 10.80 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .845 |
| Average Cross String Space | .568 |
| Average Main String Space | .500 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 33 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 184.57 |
| First Moment, Nm | .786 |
| Polar Moment | 320 |
| Torsional Stability | 15 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 305 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 10.76 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 340.7 |
| Power, RDC | 46 |
| Control, RDC | 54 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 83 |
| Power, Calculated | 1921.4 |
| Head Points | 1.89 |
| Head Weight, % | 49.1% |
| Center of Percussion | 20.8 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 9.18 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 26.9 |
| K, Lb/In | 153.85 |
| Recoil Weight | 138.76 |
| Twist Weight | 222.21 |
| End Weight | 114.3 |
| Tip Weight | 187.8 |
| 9 O'Clock | 91.5 |
| 3 O'Clock | 93.6 |
| Butt Cap | 114.8 |
Head Prestige 2021 Series Comparative Data
Jumping back and forth between reviews and data is not fun nor is it efficient so we have been posting comparative data. Now all the important stuff is in one place.
All of the data is based on a “play ready” racquet. That means an overgrip and vibration damper, and unless otherwise noted…string!
As you are looking at the data try to determine which numbers mean the most to you and how you could use them. For example, the Pro has an overall weight of 342 with a swing weight 318. How does that compare to the MP?
Keep in mind that weight and swing weight can increased but not easily decreased. No, making the racquet more “head light” statically does not reduce the swing weight as recorded on testing devices that grab the racquet 10cm from the end! That is why static balance (CG) should not be used as a performance metric.
Click here to see the data!
Prince RipStick 300
I am not saying the is not a serious tennis racquet but the first descriptor that come to mind is “fun”! And who does not want to have a little fun while playing tennis, huh?
RipStick 300
This is one of the remaining racquets with the “O” Port technology which is very large string openings instead of small grommet holes. The design allows for much more string movement and the 16×18 string bed helps! The “O” Ports create an effective head size of 105 in a racquet that measures 100 square inches.
But, just look at those colors! I think they are awesome!
This is a constant taper beam starting at 22.5mm going up to 27mm so if you are “thin beam” person you may hesitate to hit with this racquet, but we think you may be missing out!
If you just look at the racquet you may think it to be quite stiff. That is not the case! With an RDC stiffness of 62 after stringing we arrive at an effective stiffness of 30.2 with this string setup. Not bad!
Take a look at the specs then come get the demo and see what all these numbers mean to you!
| Manufacturer | Prince |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Prince RipStick 300 |
| Reference Tension | 60 lbs - 27.2kg |
| String | Prince Premier 16 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 59 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 64.5 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 62 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 46.6 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 504.2 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 328 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.57 |
| Balance, mm | 323 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.72 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 10.00 |
| Head Length | 12.87 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 645 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 100.1 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 18 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .694 |
| Main String Grid | 7.56 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.12 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .679 |
| Average Cross String Space | .531 |
| Average Main String Space | .469 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 36 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 201.35 |
| First Moment, Nm | .814 |
| Polar Moment | 337 |
| Torsional Stability | 17 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 320 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.29 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 342.2 |
| Power, RDC | 43 |
| Control, RDC | 58 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 73 |
| Power, Calculated | 2095.5 |
| Head Points | 6.14 |
| Head Weight, % | 47.2 |
| Center of Percussion | 21.2 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.28 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 30.2 |
| K, Lb/In | 189.10 |
| Recoil Weight | 159.2 |
| Twist Weight | 256.05 |
| End Weight | 134.9 |
| Tip Weight | 194.5 |
| 9 O'Clock | 100.8 |
| 3 O'Clock | 97.3 |
| Butt Cap | 130.2 |
Which Comes First!
We all have heard the question “which comes first the chicken or the egg”? However, my question is “Which comes first the game or the string”?
I believe they happen simultaneously. But first a quick story.
In 2005 I was attending a Head product introduction on the island of Mallorca, Spain, Yes, that one!
The product introduction was exciting but what I am going to tell you about now was even more meaningful.
The Director of one of the top US Tennis Training organizations, at that time, was there and we were discussing teaching techniques and what he said after being in this part of Europe was “we need to start teaching our players how to hit this way!” Well, “this way” was the way of low-powered strings that were popular in Europe but not so much in the US, yet.
So, it began! The players could not hit harder, like the Europeans, unless they used the same string material as the Europeans and that was very stiff and mostly PET polyester.
So, the idea was the “egg” and the string was the “chicken”, sort of! I guess the feeling was that “if Americans are going to compete we must use the same equipment”.
Now, I believe the professional game can go on about its way but otherwise, we need to consider changing the game by returning to a combination of comfort and playability.
Our history shows us that the “high performance” life span of many polyester strings is about 2-3 hours, or less, maybe about 10-12 games. We don’t believe this is quite long enough for most players. But, how do you quantify “performance”? It may be different things for different players.
There are many components to performance but what if it was associated with UTR data? Racquet Quest can track UTR numbers and make some determinations based on that data. If a UTR is stable or increasing it is a good bet that the performance of the player and equipment is OK. However, if the UTR is slipping it is a good indication that something is not working as it should…but what?
We have found that, in some cases, it is injury or discomfort, that is causing the slippage! Stop it! The following data is for a 12 month period and acquired from the UTR website. Even small positive changes are tough! But negative changes seem to have an enormous impact more quickly than positive changes!
For example:
| Player | Racquet | String | UTR1 | UTR2 | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Head Speed | PEEK | 12.84 | 12.86 | + .02 |
| B | Babolat Pure Aero | Polyester | 10.91 | 9.56 | -1.35 |
| C | Head Radical MPA | PEEK | 4.50 | 5.61 | +1.11 |
| D | Wilson Pro Staff 97 | PEEK | 5.0 | 7.03 | +2.03 |
| E | Babolat Pure Aero | PEEK | 3.8 | 5.64 | +1.84 |
| F | Wilson Blade 98 | Polyester | 10.0 | 9.41 | -.59 |
| G | Head Radical Pro | Natural Gut | 3.7 | 5.15 | +1.45 |
Racquet Quest, LLC
