Overall Rating
HEAD GRAPHENE TOUCH SPEED MP | |
|---|---|
PROs | CONs |
ABSOLUTE POWER | STIFFNESS |
EASY TO SWING | LESS CONTROL ON VOLLEY |
INCREASED SHOT ENERGY WITH LESS EFFORT | WOULD NOT RECOMMEND FOR PLAYERS PRONE TO ARM INJURIES |
PERFECT FOR AGGRESIVE/OFFENSIVE TENNIS | |
PERFECT FOR PLAY FROM BASELINE | |
Head is the second most used tennis racket brand among ATP TOP 100 players. However, I do not see many recreational players with Head rackets around me. I see a lot of Wilson, Babolat, and even Yonex racquets around, but I notice Head very seldom. I do not know the reason, but that increases my aspiration to test any Head racket. Therefore, when I found HEAD GRAPHENE TOUCH SPEED MP in the tennis shop nearby, I did not hesitate for a second.
The guy in the shop gave me the warning before I left. This Head racket is one of the stiffer rackets we have here, he said. That definitely increased my attention. What is my experience with Head Graphene Touch Speed MP? Just read below.
What exactly did I test?
Let’s start with the technical specifications of racket I played with.
Racket: Head Graphene Touch Speed MP
Weight: 300 grams/10.6 ounces (without strings) 318 grams/11.2 ounces (with strings)
Length: 27 inches/685 millimeters
Head Size: 100 square inches/645 square centimeters
String pattern: 16 mains/19 crosses
String tension: 53 lbs/24 kg
Unstrung balance: 320 mm/1 in HL
Embedded technologies:
Graphene Touch – using Graphene and added shock-absorption material to the frame construction provide faster vibration reduction after ball impact.
Notable players using Head with Graphene Touch technology:
Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Tomas Berdych
Design
Head Graphene Touch Speed MP looks very decently at first sight. It did not attract raised eyebrows or questions from my fellow players. The dominant white and black color combination looks really simple. Three added red details give racket a fresh and modern look. Someone would call this racket boring, I rather say “old school design”. It reminds me that tennis is a game of gentlemen, in white shirts and shorts, neatly dressed, behaving with respect to sparring partners. This racket belongs to that world. It does not bring “wow” effect but gives you respect and esteem.
Playing with Head Graphene Touch Speed MP Tennis Racket
It was my first experience with any Head racket. And more, I had that “stiffness” warning in my mind. I really start playing with respect but longer I was playing with Head Graphene Touch Speed MP, the better I felt.
Read the full list of our Tennis Racquet Reviews or Best Tennis Racket for Every Player Guide
Comfort – Feel
Head Graphene Touch Speed MP is really stiff. When you read other comments on the net about this racket, a lot of people praised Speed MP as less stiff than its predecessor Graphene XT. Well, Graphene XT must be hard to handle racket.
Graphene Touch Speed MP gave me a little warning (kickback) every time I did not hit the ball with a sweet spot. I felt vibrations if I did not hit correctly. I never played with such stiff racket before.
However, as time passed and I played more and more with Speed MP, I was able to reduce off hits almost to zero. After a few sessions, I really felt comfortable and almost forgot the “stiff” narrative I had in my mind. Instead, I started to make use of all the advantages this racket offers.
Control – Accuracy
I did not know in advance what to expect in terms of control. Then, I was really surprised by the accuracy of my strikes and ability to spin the ball. I was able to play stop balls a lot.
I tried to play a little bit more aggressive than I am used to. I pushed opponent a lot with runs to the net and volleys and with changes of directions. Head Graphene Touch Speed MP responded very well to direction changes. Volleys were a little bit harder, as I was not able to find a right length of my hits. Overall, I still think it would be a matter of time and practice to get most of this racket at the net.
Serve was another moment when I would need more practice. The racket offers the opportunity to choose between power serve and controlled serve with spin. I was trying both but was fighting with both. Just for the record, I am not blaming the racket, but myself.
Power – Strength
What I appreciate most about the Head Graphene Touch Speed MP is the power it has. With just 300 grams (unstrung) it is really a beast. I was able to hit power flat strokes like never before. Swings were easy and I did not work hard for power hits. My play from baseline was at the top level with this racket. And the really good thing is that I did not feel any pain in my elbow or shoulder during or after the game. The graphene touch technology probably works as it should have.
Summary
I would recommend this racket to a more experienced player who likes to play aggressively. Baseline power strokes are effortless, swings are going easy and you get increased control of your hits with Head Graphene Touch Speed MP. If you like stiffer rackets, this Head racket is definitely for you.
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