HEAD Radical Pro Tennis
- Head Size: 98sq in / 632 sq cm
- Length: 27 in/ 68.5 cm
- Unstrung Weight: 10.9oz / 310g
- Strung Swing Weight: 325
- String Pattern: 16x19
- Strung Weight: 326g / 11.5oz
- Model Number: 235103
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet is designed for advanced players seeking a blend of power, control, and maneuverability. Known for its dynamic performance and versatile playing characteristics, the Radical Pro is part of HEAD’s popular Radical series, which has been a staple among competitive tennis players.
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Design and Build
The Radical Pro boasts a sleek design with a striking combination of orange and blue accents. The racquet features HEAD’s Graphene 360+ technology, which enhances energy transfer and provides a more flexible and responsive feel. The addition of Spiralfibers in the lower portion of the frame improves the racquet’s overall stability and comfort.
Grip and Comfort
The integration of Spiralfibers into the frame enhances the racquet’s flex and provides a more comfortable hitting experience. The Radical Pro effectively absorbs vibrations, reducing the risk of arm fatigue and injuries over long matches. However, due to its relatively stiff frame, it may take some time for players to fully adjust and achieve optimal comfort.
Aesthetic
9
Out of 10
Design and Appearance
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet stands out with a bold and modern design that immediately catches the eye. The combination of vibrant orange and deep blue colors creates a striking contrast, making the racquet easily recognizable on the court. The sleek lines and smooth finish further enhance its visual appeal.
Color Scheme
The racquet’s color scheme is both stylish and energetic. The bright orange gives it a dynamic and aggressive look, while the blue accents add a touch of sophistication. This combination not only looks good but also aligns with the racquet’s performance characteristics—powerful and controlled.
Graphics and Branding
The graphics on the Radical Pro are well-executed, with a clean and contemporary design. The HEAD logo is prominently displayed on the throat and head of the racquet, contributing to its professional appearance. The subtle details and minimalistic branding ensure that the racquet looks polished without being overly flashy.
Build Quality
The build quality of the Radical Pro is top-notch, reflecting HEAD’s commitment to excellence. The materials used and the craftsmanship are evident in the racquet’s smooth finish and durable feel. The high-quality construction not only enhances its performance but also adds to its premium aesthetic appeal.
Overall Aesthetic Rating
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet earns a high rating for its aesthetic appeal. The combination of bold colors, sleek design, and quality craftsmanship makes it a visually impressive racquet. While aesthetics are subjective, the Radical Pro’s modern and professional look is likely to appeal to a wide range of players. Its design is a perfect match for its high-performance features, making it not only a top-performing racquet but also one that looks great on the court.
Groundstroke
9
Out of 10
On-Court Performance
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet offers outstanding on-court performance, excelling in power, control, spin, and maneuverability. Its comfortable feel and advanced technologies make it a versatile choice for advanced players looking to enhance their game across all areas of play. Whether hitting groundstrokes, volleys, serves, or returns, the Radical Pro delivers consistently high performance, making it a top choice for competitive tennis players.
Control
Control is a standout feature of the Radical Pro, despite its power-oriented design. The 98 square inch head size combined with the 16×19 string pattern provides excellent feedback and precision. Players can place their shots accurately, maintaining a high level of consistency even during intense rallies. The racquet’s stability ensures that off-center hits do not drastically affect the trajectory of the ball, contributing to better overall control.
Overall Groundstroke Rating
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet receives a high rating for its groundstroke performance. It offers a perfect blend of power, control, and spin, making it an excellent choice for aggressive baseline players. Its maneuverability and comfort add to its appeal, ensuring that players can execute their groundstrokes with precision and confidence. Whether hitting powerful forehands or controlled backhands, the Radical Pro delivers outstanding performance on the baseline.
Volley
8.5
Out of 10
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is one of the Radical Pro’s strong suits at the net. Its head-light balance (6 pts HL) allows for quick reactions and easy handling during rapid exchanges. This makes it easier to position the racquet correctly and adjust to fast-paced volleys, a critical factor for effective net play. Players will find that they can react swiftly to incoming shots and transition smoothly between different volley types.
Control and Precision
Control at the net is a crucial aspect of volleying, and the Radical Pro excels in this area. The 98 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern offer a precise and predictable response. Players can place their volleys accurately, whether aiming for the corners or executing drop volleys. The racquet’s stability ensures that even off-center hits maintain a consistent trajectory, enhancing overall control.
Overall Volley Rating
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet earns a high rating for its volley performance. Its combination of power, control, maneuverability, and touch makes it a formidable option for players who frequently approach the net. The racquet’s stability and comfort further enhance its appeal, ensuring that players can execute a variety of volleys with confidence. While it excels in many areas, some players might prefer a slightly lighter racquet for even quicker handling, which is the only minor drawback. Overall, the Radical Pro is a top choice for aggressive net play and versatile volleying.
Serve
9
Out of 10
Power
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet delivers impressive power on serves. Its slightly heavier frame (310 grams unstrung) and Graphene 360+ technology enhance energy transfer, allowing players to generate significant pace on their serves. This makes it an excellent choice for players who rely on powerful serves to dominate their service games and put opponents on the defensive right from the start.
Spin Potential
The open 16×19 string pattern of the Radical Pro is particularly beneficial for generating spin on serves. This racquet allows players to impart substantial topspin or slice, adding variety and unpredictability to their serves. The ability to hit with different spins makes it easier to keep opponents guessing and can be a significant advantage in both first and second serves.
Stability and Feel
Despite its weight, the Radical Pro is highly maneuverable, thanks to its head-light balance (6 pts HL). This balance allows for quick racquet head speed, which is essential for effective serving. Players will find it easier to accelerate through the ball, making it possible to achieve both power and spin without sacrificing control. The racquet’s maneuverability also helps in adjusting serve techniques and experimenting with different serve styles.
Comfort
Comfort is a crucial aspect, especially during long matches where serving can put significant strain on the arm and shoulder. The Radical Pro’s integration of Spiralfibers in the frame contributes to a more comfortable serving experience by reducing vibrations. This helps in minimizing the risk of serving-related injuries and fatigue, allowing players to serve confidently throughout the match.
Overall Serve Rating
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet receives a high rating for its serve performance. It offers a powerful and controlled serve, enhanced by excellent spin potential and maneuverability. The racquet’s stability and comfort features further contribute to its strong performance, making it a top choice for players looking to enhance their serving game. Whether aiming for power, precision, or spin, the Radical Pro delivers outstanding results on serves, ensuring players can confidently start points on their terms.
Returns
9
Out of 10
Control and Precision
Control is a standout feature of the Radical Pro when it comes to returns. The 98 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern offer a precise and predictable response, enabling players to place their returns accurately. This control is essential for hitting deep returns or targeting specific areas of the court to put pressure on the server. The racquet’s stability ensures that even when facing powerful serves, players can maintain a high level of control over their shots.
Stability
Control is a standout feature of the Radical Pro when it comes to returns. The 98 square inch head size and 16×19 string pattern offer a precise and predictable response, enabling players to place their returns accurately. This control is essential for hitting deep returns or targeting specific areas of the court to put pressure on the server. The racquet’s stability ensures that even when facing powerful serves, players can maintain a high level of control over their shots.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is crucial for effective returns, and the Radical Pro performs admirably in this regard. The racquet’s head-light balance (6 pts HL) allows for quick reactions and easy handling, which is essential when facing a variety of serve speeds and spins. This maneuverability enables players to position the racquet swiftly, making it easier to handle wide serves or adjust to unexpected serve placements.
Spin
The open 16×19 string pattern enhances the Radical Pro’s ability to generate spin on returns. This feature allows players to hit with topspin or slice, adding variety to their returns and making it more difficult for opponents to anticipate the trajectory of the ball. The spin potential also helps in hitting dipping returns that land quickly and stay low, disrupting the server’s rhythm.
Overall Return Rating
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet earns a high rating for its return performance. It provides a balanced combination of power, control, and maneuverability, making it an effective tool for returning serves. The racquet’s spin potential and stability further enhance its performance, allowing players to handle a variety of serves with confidence. While its weight and stiffness may require some adjustment, especially for those accustomed to lighter racquets, the Radical Pro’s overall performance on returns is impressive and well-suited for intermediate to advanced players looking to improve their return game.
Overall
8.8
Out of 10
Summary
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet is a top-tier choice for advanced players seeking a versatile and high-performing racquet. Known for its excellent blend of power, control, and spin, it caters to a wide range of playing styles, making it suitable for aggressive baseline players, serve-and-volley players, and those who frequently transition between the two.
The HEAD Radical Pro Tennis Racquet stands out as an excellent all-around performer. Its strengths in power, control, spin, and maneuverability make it a versatile choice for advanced players looking to enhance various aspects of their game. The racquet’s comfortable feel and high-quality construction further contribute to its appeal. While it may require an adjustment period for those not used to its weight and stiffness, the Radical Pro’s overall performance and aesthetic design make it a highly recommended option for serious tennis players.
