Category Archives: Weight
Wilson SHIFT 99 PRO – Jason’s Racquet Review
HIGHLIGHTS:
Fun racquet to try! Very different in both looks and feel, from the usual Wilson offerings. More suited to the advanced player, and aggressive baseliners who play with fast swing speeds, and a lot of spin.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
The most noticeable impression, on first pick up, of the PRO version, was the slightly thicker beam, and overall heft of the racquet. At 327g swing weight, this racquet is definitely in the heavyweight category, but it had a good feel in the hand, and generally good maneuverability, both at the baseline and at the net. As for looks, the contemporary aesthetics are very different from the usual Wilson look, and the string bed looks noticeably tighter than I’m used to.
CONTROL:
The sweet spot on this racquet feels small, suiting it to a more advanced player. Faster swing speeds seemed to produce more control, but with the smaller sweet spot, and low dwell time, I experienced some balls flying when I didn’t expect them to. The tight string bed does produce a lower trajectory, but I didn’t find that this prevented those occasional wayward balls. At the net, the racquet had a damper feel than I’m used to, and again, I felt I was in control as long as I hit the sweet spot.
SPIN:
I was looking forward to testing this racquet because of the new increased horizontal bending in the head of the racquet, which should generate more spin. Hitting my regular strokes, I didn’t notice any extra spin being produced naturally. However, when I really tried to increase the swing speed, and increase the spin myself, the racquet responded well and would allow for great spin creation.
POWER:
The thick beam gave the racquet a very solid and stable feel, and with the weight of the racquet, it was very powerful coming off the sweet spot. Great on days you’re playing well, but if you miss the sweet spot the racquet had a dull, non-responsive feel. Solid on returns and good momentum, but the flatter hitter may struggle for control.
OVERALL:
This is a very different racquet that takes a while to get used to. It would be well suited to an advanced player, who swings fast, and already plays with a lot of spin. Don’t expect this racquet to transform flat strokes into heavy topspin. I tested at 55 lbs but would string a little tighter than this if using it again.
I did also test the non-pro version of the Shift. With the more open string bed and lighter weight, I experienced even more balls flying long than with the pro version. It was definitely more forgiving on the arm, and easier to maneuver, but the trade-off was less control. Would be well suited to a more intermediate player. I feel an advanced player would have to add some extra weight, and string tighter.
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!