Category Archives: Weight
Head Radical MP 2023
You have seen the pretty pictures; now see the specs of this new Radical series!
We are starting our property review with the Head Radical MP 2023. The MP version will probably be the most popular due to the very lovely weight and “player” style head size of 98 inches!
Head Radical MP 2023
As you look at the following specifications you may notice the addition of some “numbers”, specifically “beam width”.
We have been taking this number for many years but now believe it is time to expose it to you, the readers.
Briefly, the beam height-to-width ratio contributes to in-plane stiffness which is important for consistent string bed stiffness (SBS).
| Manufacturer | Head |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Head Radical MP 2023 |
| Reference Tension | 55 |
| String | MonoGut ZX Pro |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| String Bed Stiffness - RDC | 53.0 Units |
| String Bed Stiffness -FlexFour | 64.9 pounds |
| String Bed Stiffness - SBS | 51.8 pounds |
| String Bed Stiffness - ERT | 35 Kg/Cm |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 65 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 44.5 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 379.7 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 326 |
| Weight, Ounces | 11.50 |
| Balance, mm | 333 |
| Balance, Inch | 13.11 |
| Length, Cm | 68.57 |
| Length, Inch | 27.00 |
| Head Width | 9.63 |
| Head Length | 12.79 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 623.0 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 96.7 |
| Beam Height @ Grip, mm | 21.0 |
| Beam Height @ Mid, mm | 22.5 |
| Beam Height @ Tip | 20.5 |
| Beam Width @ Grip, mm | 12.5 |
| Beam Width @ Throat, mm | 11.5 |
| Beam Width @ Mid, mm | 12.8 |
| Beam Width @ Tip, mm | 12.8 |
| Number of Main Strings | 16 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 19 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .634 |
| Main String Grid | 7.18 |
| Cross String Grid | 9.44 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | 69.6% |
| Average Cross String Space | .494 |
| Average Main String Space | .449 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 35 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 195.76 |
| First Moment, Nm | .841 |
| Polar Moment | 347 |
| Torsional Stability | 16 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 331 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 11.68 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 361.5 |
| Power, RDC | 52 |
| Control, RDC | 49 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 66 |
| Power, Calculated | 2101.4 |
| Head Points | 3.15 |
| Head Weight, % | 48.5% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.1 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 8.74 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 29.2 |
| K, Lb/In | 169.87 |
| Recoil Weight | 156.44 |
| Twist Weight | 226.48 |
| End Weight | 126.0 |
| Tip Weight | 197.7 |
| 9 O'Clock | 105.1 |
| 3 O'Clock | 104.7 |
| Butt Cap | 115.6 |
| COF, Main | .416 |
| COF, Cross | .388 |
Let’s Compare
We publish many racquet reviews that include comprehensive data to be used to speed up the selection process for players looking to review racquets and possibly demo them.
We thought it might be fun to do a little comparison of racquets in a simple format and we are starting with this one!
When considering racquets there is one “weight” that outweighs them all and that is swing weight! Swing weight is also described as inertia which is, in our discussions, the term used to describe the momentum of a tennis racquet. Once it gets going it does not want to stop which equals power (sort of F=MA)
We will be adding groups of three (3) racquets whenever possible and when new racquets are introduced.
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 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!
And now for something completely different!
It is not often we get to do something completely different but this is that time!
Everyone loves to see what the very latest racquets are going to look like and how they will play but what about taking a look back, not forward!
This racquet review is going way back! I am not sure when this racquet was made but suffice it to say it was a while ago. I will guess that it is over sixty (60) years old.
Well, OK! What is it?
It is a Wright & Ditson Olympic!
Wright & Ditson Olympic
This is a beautiful 68 square inch wooden racquet. The wooden grip pallet is wrapped with a very wide piece of perforated leather, not the slender leather used today.
The racquet has no butt cap. Or didn’t have a butt cap but now it does.
Pay particular attention to the weight of this racquet, and the stiffness!
Many of the current racquets will be in the 315-gram range with an RDC flex of 55+.
When we received it the condition was not great but it was straight and worth renovating. We all know how beautiful some wooden racquets can be so let’s get to the specifications.
| Manufacturer | Wright & Ditson |
|---|---|
| Racquet Model | Wright & Ditson Olympic |
| Reference Tension | 45lbs/20.4kg |
| String | Head Synthethic 17 |
| Machine Used | True Tension Professional |
| ASPS, RDC | 36 |
| ASPS, FlexFour | 50 |
| Racquet Flex, RDC | 12 - After stringing |
| Racquet Flex, FlexFour | 27.0 |
| Racquet - In Plane Stiffness | 500.0 lbs/Inch |
| Weight, Grams | 401.0 |
| Weight, Ounces | 14.14 |
| Balance, mm | 307 |
| Balance, Inch | 12.09 |
| Length, Cm | 68.6 |
| Length, Inch | 27.008 |
| Head Width | 8.13 |
| Head Length | 10.8 |
| Head Area, cm2 | 444.6 |
| Head Area, Sq. Inch | 68.9 |
| Number of Main Strings | 18 |
| Number of Cross Strings | 20 |
| Ratio Cross/Mains | .677 |
| Main String Grid | 7.00 |
| Cross String Grid | 8.30 |
| Density (% of head filled with string) | .843 |
| Average Cross String Space | .415 |
| Average Main String Space | .389 |
| Dynamic Tension, Kp, ERT | 30 |
| Dynamic Tension, Lbs/in | 167.8 |
| First Moment, Nm | .932 |
| Polar Moment | 368 |
| Torsional Stability | 9 |
| Swing Weight, Kg/cm2 | 359 |
| Swing Weight, Ounces | 12.66 |
| Swing Weight Calculated | 377.9 |
| Power, RDC | 0 |
| Control, RDC | 100 |
| Manueverability, RDC | 47 |
| Power, Calculated | 296.9 |
| Head Points | 11.02 |
| Head Weight, % | 44.9% |
| Center of Percussion | 21.0 |
| Dwell Time, ms | 10.6 |
| Efective Stiffness - lbs | 9.0 |
| K, Lb/In | 115.4 |
| Recoil Weight | 189.8 |
| Twist Weight | 203.8 |
| End Weight | 174.9 |
| Tip Weight | 225.0 |
| 9 O'Clock | 115.9 |
| 3 O'Clock | 115.0 |
| Butt Cap | 168.9 |
Racquet Quest, LLC
