The Head is one of the most popular brands in the tennis world, and it’s no wonder. They’re always improving, and this time, they came out with the outstanding Head Graphene XT Extreme MPA.
The XT Extreme MPA has perfect weight and balance that provides all the maneuverability and power you’d need as an advanced player. It features the adaptive string pattern technology, better known as the ASP technology. This allows you to choose between string patterns, but we’ll discuss that in detail later. What I want to point out now is its use of Graphene – one of the lightest and most durable materials.
If you’ve ever crossed paths with the Head’s Graphene Extreme MP, you’ll notice the similarities in specifications. However, some things are different and improved. It offers more spin potential, and it’s just overall a better choice for advanced tennis players.
In popular opinion, the XT Extreme MPA is lightweight enough to cut through the air quickly but still provides the sturdy feeling. Plus, it comes in the most eye-catching yellow you ever saw, so there’s no way you’d go unnoticed.
I had a chance to test it myself, and though I must say I loved it, I had to ask other advanced players for their opinion. The racquet is a spin machine that allows everyone to progress and improve the quality of their game. Continue reading to learn about its specs, the good and the bad.
- excellent all court racquet with good power and spin for stronger intermediate or advanced players
- "100 square inch headsize, 11.1 ounces strung, 4"" headlight balance, 16x19 string pattern, hydrosorb pro grip"
- lightweight graphene innegra technology for a stable, maneuverable feel on court.
- slightly rounded head shape as used on past generations of extremes for improved spin potential.
- this racquet is pre-strung with head synthetic gut 16 at a recommended tension of 53 lbs.
Features and specifications:
The Head Graphene Extreme MPA has a rounded head shape, much like a few past Extreme racquets. This shape allows more spin potential, which is mostly the reason why people opt for this racquet. In general, the head is 100 sq. in. in size with about 27.2 in. length.
It comes pre-strung with synthetic gut 16×16, though you can change that to 16×19 if you like. Choose between the two depending on your control and spin preference. The frame is made of 24/26/23mm tapered beam.
Also, when you first receive the racquet, it’s at a recommended tension of 53 lbs. When it’s strung, the racquet weighs 11.2 oz. This whole combination makes the racquet lightweight enough to be comfortable, but deliver enough power for more aggressive players.
The stiffness is 67, with balance at 13 in. Head Light (4pts). It’s made mostly out of Graphene that’s one of the world’s strongest and lightest materials. The graphene has a massive part in distributing the weight all over, from tip to grip. It allows you more swing weight, without jeopardizing maneuverability. No doubt, this is good for players who are on a more aggressive side and like more penetrating shots. We managed to measure the swing weight at 317 kg*sq. cm.
When it comes to the overall feel, I must say that I found the racquet quite comfortable. Talking to many other advanced tennis players, I got the same feedback. Precisely, it’s mostly because of the previously mentioned weight distribution. However, it’s important to note that the racquet also features the Head Hydrosorb Pro grip. This feature allows you to play for hours at the time without feeling sore or uncomfortable. It absorbs sweat, and it’s not slippery at all.
Most tennis players who play or have played with this racquet before are happy to recommend it to advanced players who want to improve even more. They mostly like the interchangeable grommets and the fact you can choose between 16×16 and 16×19 string pattern.
What I found interesting was how people feel somewhat different about the maneuverability of the racquet. Some say it’s quite maneuverable, while others say it’s slightly stiff. In reality, this may just be a matter of preference and style. After interviewing a few people, I understood that if you’re a more aggressive player, you’ll like it. However, if you’re into more delicate shots, you might not like it as much and will have to get used to the overall feel of the racquet.
If you find it a bit stiff, what you can do is change the strings. More precisely, some people switched from synthetic gut to natural gut and had a much more comfortable experience. Other than that, all people who ever crossed paths with this racquet agree that it’s powerful, fast swinging, and loaded with spin potential. For this reason, it’s one of the best tennis racquets for advanced players on the market today.
The good:
- Interchangeable grommets
- Higher spin potential
- Comes pre-strung
- Features the Head Hydrosorb Pro grip
- Round head shape
The Bad:
- Some find it stiff
- Synthetic gut springs can be too much for your arm
Final verdict:
The Head Graphene XT Extreme MP A is without a doubt one of the best tennis racquets for advanced players, and for a reason. Most players at advanced level talk about its spin potential and power that it generates. If, however, you find it’s tiring your arm, change the strings from synthetic to natural gut, or try a racquet that’s more arm friendly
Not only its specifications deliver all an advanced player needs to progress even more, but the overall quality of the racquet is also at an impressive level. You have the absorbing grip that makes the racquet even more comfortable and suitable for long-hour games.
My favorite thing about this racquet as I was testing it out, was the rounder head shape. You can find this in many Head Extreme models but rarely combined with these specifications. The shape gives it more spin potential, and when combined with the string pattern, weight and balance, you have a pretty impressive racquet. That’s precisely what makes it one of the best tennis racquets for advanced players.
If you’re looking to add more power to your shots, and overall improve the quality of your game, I recommend you try the Head Graphene XT Extreme MPA. It’s much like the other Extreme XT racquets from the Head, but with now improved weight and balance combination.
- excellent all court racquet with good power and spin for stronger intermediate or advanced players
- "100 square inch headsize, 11.1 ounces strung, 4"" headlight balance, 16x19 string pattern, hydrosorb pro grip"
- lightweight graphene innegra technology for a stable, maneuverable feel on court.
- slightly rounded head shape as used on past generations of extremes for improved spin potential.
- this racquet is pre-strung with head synthetic gut 16 at a recommended tension of 53 lbs.
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