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HEAD Radical MP 2021
Tennis Gear, Tennis Rackets

HEAD Radical MP 2021 review


Somehow Tennishead had never previously reviewed the globally popular HEAD Radical MP so when we were sent the latest 2021 version we jumped at the chance to get out on the courts and put it through its paces. Why does this racket receive positive reviews from both club players and advanced players alike and would the Tennishead testers feel the same? Find out here…

 

Background

With their Austrian roots and background in skiing, HEAD have always had a stronger following amongst European tennis players than they have elsewhere, which may answer the question as to why two American’s (Taylor Fritz and Sloane Stephens) and a South American (Diego Schwartzman) endorse this new frame. Are HEAD attempting to broaden their global appeal or is this simply a great racket that suits all types of player? Well actually the original Radical  was built for an American, Andre Agassi.

 

Buy this racket…

To help you feel confident when purchasing this racket we’ve teamed up with a trusted retail partner, AllThingsTennis.co.uk, to make sure you get the best price combined with free premium tennis balls, next day delivery (UK only) and fantastic advice from tennis equipment experts.

To take advantage of all these benefits simply follow this link to purchase the HEAD Radical MP 2021 with an exclusive 5% Tennishead discount.

 

Technology

All HEAD rackets are made using an element of Graphene in the frames. The material is used in the shaft of the racket ‘for optimized mass distribution which gives better manoeuvrability and more power’ and also in the head of the racket which ‘reduces frame deformation which enables better energy transfer.

This updated 2021 version of the Radical MP also includes sound grommets which ‘provide enhanced power via greater string movement and optimize sound and vibrations. A new ‘variable beam cross-section that perfectly balances the power, control and spin of the racket’ and a ‘more dense 16/19 string pattern provides the perfect mix of control and power’.

So does the reality of playing with this racket match the manufacturer’s claims…

 

Watch as our testers try out the HEAD Radical MP 2021

 

The play test

Neither player had ever played with a Radical before and in fact neither of them had ever played with a HEAD racket full stop, so as play tests go this would be as ‘pure’ as you get. The perception that HEAD want to portray is that this is a racket that could suit anyone, which is quite a hefty claim, so we watched eagerly as our two testers took to the courts.

Our Tennishead play testers for the HEAD Radical MP 2021 review:

Sue: A player who sees herself as a ‘baseline grinder’, has been playing tennis for 30 years and currently uses a Mantis 300 racket.

Austin: Who ‘likes to win the point at the net’, has been playing for 15 years and who’s current racket is a Babolat Pure Drive 2020.

  • Groundstrokes

Austin was first to head onto court and he said, “It felt really really nice from the baseline, I didn’t have to work hard at all to create power, it just came so easily. I had to work a little bit harder to create the control and the spin to get the ball in the court, but once I worked that out I was hitting the ball really nicely off both my wings, so I was really really impressed with this racket.”

Then Sue took the racket and she responded, “I thought it was lovely, very smooth, not too heavy. It went through the air very smoothly. Didn’t notice the sweetspot was small or big, It just felt really clean and sharp when I was hitting the ball. Really nice.”

  • Volleys and smashes

Austin then moved up to the net, “I started off with a few volleys going long but once I worked out my rhythm I was finding it really easy to get my spots, getting nice depth on my volleys and closing it out really well.”

When Sue reached the net she said, “The volleys felt fine, I hadn’t hit a few smashes in a while so the smashes I think that was more me than the racket!. Clean and felt sharp.”

  • Serves

Back on the baseline to hit his serves, Austin said, “Lots of easy pace, didn’t have to work too hard to hit the ball hard, got lots of spin on my second serve and was finding it really easy to get the opponent off the court with my kick serve. It was a really good all round experience with this racket.”

When Sue his serves with this racket she said, “Lovely. I was quite pleased with how the serves went actually, because it feels a bit lighter than what i’m used to playing with. It felt like it moved through the air quite quickly, so I was getting quite a nice pace on the ball.”

  • We then asked our testers if the HEAD Radical MP 2021 suited their style of play?

Austin likes to finish the point at the net and he said, “Once I managed to control the power that it was giving me, I found it really easy to put my opponent on the back foot by hitting pace and then close down the net and put the ball away, it was just really easy pace, so once the control was there the finishing of the point came easy.”

Sue is a baseline grinder and she said, “Absolutely, yes. Without a doubt. It. Felt really comfortable in my hands. I didn’t notice it as it’s a different racket from what I’m used to playing with. So it felt brilliant.”

  • Design and style

Austin commented, “I think it looks really, really nice, really bright, stands out, looks really cool. It’s something I’d personally like to pick off the shelf.”

Whilst Sue agreed, “I love the colour. It would take a bit of time getting used to.. having something so bright in my hand, but at least you can see it hitting the ball.”

  • The final question was on the price. Did our testers feel that $240/£200 is a fair price for the HEAD Radical MP 2021?

Sue – “I think that’s a normal price for the racket. I would pay that for this. I really like it.”

Austin – “I think that’s fair. Rackets are quite expensive these days so yeah I think for one as nice as this I’d be happy to pay the premium price.”

 

The specifications

For a detailed explanation of each racket measurement criteria below have a read of our guide.

HEAD Radical MP 2021

R.R.P. = $240/£200 (Purchase for £161 at AllThingsTennis.co.uk by following this link)

Head size = 98 sq in

Weight = 300g

String pattern = 16/19

 

In conclusion then..

With two very different players in our testers both really enjoy playing with exactly the same racket you’d have to agree with HEAD that their new Radical MP 2021 does seem to suit a variety of styles of player. The feedback didn’t highlight anything out of the ordinary and the racket seemed to feel comfortable for both our testers whatever shot they were hitting and from all different positions on the court.

The style of this bright, modern looking racket was also given a big thumbs up whilst the price was not an issue as its in line with most quality tennis rackets these days.

Overall it seems that HEAD have done a decent job at upgrading the Radical and we can’t see a reason why any standard of amateur player shouldn’t at least be trying this one out.

 

Buy this racket…

To help you feel confident when purchasing this racket we’ve teamed up with a trusted retail partner, AllThingsTennis.co.uk, to make sure you get the best price combined with free premium tennis balls, next day delivery (UK only) and fantastic advice from tennis equipment experts.

To take advantage of all these benefits simply follow this link to purchase the HEAD Radical MP 2021 with an exclusive 5% Tennishead discount.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.