HEAD GRAPHENE XT RADICAL PRO REVIEW
Upsides
- Powerful
- Maneuverable
Downsides
- Sweetspot on the small side
Summary
The Graphene XT Radical Pro is an update to the extremely successful Graphene Radical Pro. Head uses the latest Graphene XT technology to make the Graphene XT Radical Pro even stronger and lighter in the throat area while putting more of the weight at the ends of the frame. These changes had a profound effect on the playability of the Graphene XT Radical Pro. On the positive side, our testers found easy power, a responsive feel, good maneuverability and solid plow through. However, we did find a stiffer feel that was uncomfortable at times when contact was made off-centre. In addition, our playtesters found more control in the previous version. While it may not offer the near perfect blend of power and control the Graphene Radical Pro possessed, the Graphene XT Radical Pro will definitely put some easy power and modern playability into the hands of experienced players.
Groundstrokes – Score 80
All of our playtesters noted the crisp, firm feel of the Graphene XT Radical Pro from the baseline, which some liked and others didn't. Everyone did agree on the fact that the racket felt maneuverable and offered a good blend of power and control. However, there was mixed feelings when it came to the stability of the racket as well as how “ connected ” we felt to our groundstrokes. Some of our team was having success from the baseline during the test while others struggled at times to find their rhythm.
Volleys – Score 78
Like from the baseline there were mixed feelings about the Graphene XT Radical Pro from our playtesters when they approached the net. Everyone appreciated the precision and crisp, responsive feel that left us feeling connected to the ball as it left the strings. There was a good blend of maneuverability and heft, making it easy to get in position during quick exchanges and keep stable against big hitting opponents. However, a couple of the testers noted the sweetspot feeling small and unforgiving at times. Power would drop off, and the ball would land short in the court if the contact was not just right.
Serve – Score 81
All of our playtesters enjoyed serving with the Graphene XT Radical Pro, especially because of the easy power that it provided. Everyone was able to reach back and get plenty of pace on their big, flat first serves. Some of our testers liked the control the racket offered as well while others didn't find their to be enough precision to instill total confidence. In addition, a couple testers noted that they struggled at times to access enough spin when going for their second serves. They would accelerate the racket but the ball would miss the intended target because they couldn't get enough spin to get it to drop into the service box. All in all, this was one of our team's preferred shots to hit during the test.
Returns – Score 81
The Graphene XT Radical Pro's maneuverability was our playtesters' favorite feature when returning serve, and they all found it easy to get the racket around their bodies and catch up to big serves from their opponents. Power was good for getting returns back deep in the court, and control for the most part allowed our testers go for their targets with confidence. Everyone had something different to critique, though - one person wished for more comfort, another wanted more stability and a third tester craved more precision. But all in all our testers were fairly comfortable returning serve with this racket.
Overall - Score: 82
Playtester Profiles
Andy: Open level all court player with a semi-western forehand grip and a two handed backhand. Andy is currently using the Yonex EZONE Ai 98.
Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. She currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph.
Karly: 4.0 baseline player currently playing with the Prince Textreme Tour 95. She hits with a semi-western forehand grip and uses a two handed backhand.
Troy: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a full Western Forehand and a two-handed backhand. Troy currently plays with a Wilson BLX Six.One 95.
Likes
Andy: “ Felt good on the serve and good responsiveness off the stringbed. ”
Troy: “ A good blend of power and control. Good command on my serves. ”
Michelle: “ I enjoyed teeing off with this racket on groundstrokes and serves. ”
Karly: “ This was the perfect racket to volley with. It felt so stable and comfortable, while being extremely maneuverable. ”
Dislikes
Andy: “ I found the stringbed to be erratic and the sweetspot to be small and unforgiving. I never really got dialed in at any point during the test. I also found it to be a bit jarring on off-centre hits. ”
Troy: “ Stiff and a bit unforgiving when making contact outside the sweetspot. ”
Michelle: “ I didn't feel that connected to the ball and was hoping for more control blended with the power. I also found it to be a bit unstable and offer less feel than the previous version. ”
Karly: “ I would've liked more control over my serves. It was the only area I thought the power was overwhelming. ”
Comparing it to other racquets they've used, our testers said:
Andy: “ Unfortunately, I have to admit that I like the previous version better. There was a better blend of power and control in the regular Graphene version, and I also found it more comfortable. This update had erratic power, less control and a stiffer feel. I don't know what it was about it, but I just felt like this update to the Radical Pro just kind of missed its mark. ”
Troy: “ The firm feel of this racket was similar to the previous Graphene Radical Pro. Although weight and balance is fairly similar to previous generations of the Radical Pro/Tours, I miss the soft and buttery feel that was once in the Microgel and Youtek lines. This is similar to the Head Graphene XT Speed Pro, but it doesn't quite have as much control. I also found some resemblance to the Prince Textreme Tour 95 and Prince Classic Response 97 due to their crisp feel; although I prefer both of these Prince rackets being that they are more forgiving than this Head Graphene XT Radical Pro. ”
Michelle: “ Compared to the previous Graphene Radical Pro, I found this racket to play pretty similarly, although I definitely still favour the previous version because of its great blend of power and control. This update has a lower RA but felt stiffer and a bit unstable to me. There was a lack of feel, and I just didn't feel completely connected to the ball. ”
Karly: “ It reminded me of the Volkl Super G 10 (325g). Both rackets are extremely comfortable and stable, while also feeling very whippy and maneuverable for how much they weigh. The biggest difference between the two for me was that the Graphene XT Radical Pro made it easier to generate power and the Super G 10 (325g) offered more control. ”