When you buy a product through our links below, we may earn money from our affiliate partners to help support the site. However, this does not affect our evaluation or recommendation of each product. See our list of partners & how we get paid here. You can also learn our process for reviewing tennis gear here.
The Head Speed is one of the best tennis racquets for advanced players on the market. Below, we’ll review the Head Speed, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Speed is right for you.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Head Speed
The Head Speed Pro and MP tennis racquets have become popular for advanced tennis players all around the world.
Used by Novak Djokovic and other professional players, Head made this racquet for all court players seeking a blend of power, control, and feel. The Head Speed racquets are known for their balance. While they don’t excel in one particular area, they are some of the best all-around tennis racquets on the market.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Head Speed below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Head Speed
- Power: 8
- Control: 8
- Spin: 8
- Serve: 8
- Return: 9
- Groundstrokes: 9
- Volleys: 8
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Very balanced racquet for advanced players
- Good combination of controlled power
- Great touch and feel around the net
- Stable frame for fast-paced shots
- No significant weaknesses
- Models for all skill levels
Cons
- Doesn’t excel in any one area
Different Versions of the Head Speed Racquet
The Head Speed racquet comes in several different versions that vary in size, weight, string pattern, and other specifications. Below is a list of the different Head Speed tennis racquets available.
We’ll review each version in more detail below.
What did Head Update with the Speed 2024?
With the latest versions of the Speed featuring Auxetic 2, Head did not make significant changes.
- The Speed Pro and MP versions are a touch softer.
- The Speed Team has been extended by 0.2 inches and is softer.
- The Speed Team L has been replaced by the MP L, a slightly heavier and more comfortable racquet.
You can still purchase the old version of the Speed and its family of racquets for a discount.
3 Steps to Find the Perfect Tennis Racquet for Your Game
Free checklist with 27 racquet recommendations
Head Speed Pro Review: A Well-Balanced Racquet
We’ll start with the standard version, the Head Speed Pro. Below are the specifications and on-court performance you should expect from this racquet.
Head Speed Pro Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.6 oz. strung
- Head Size: 100 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 325.1 mm
- String Pattern: 18×20
This racquet has a unique blend of a powerful frame with a string bed built for control. It is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control. The frame is 100 square inches and relatively thick, adding power. However, the 18×20 string pattern and Graphene 360+ technology help give the Speed Pro a blend of control and feel.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
The Head Speed Pro Has No Weaknesses
Most tennis racquets will excel in one area, while sacrificing in others. For example, if you build a powerful racquet, it will have less control.
The Head Speed Pro is not lacking in any of these areas. It has a great blend of power, control, spin, feel, maneuverability, and comfort.
Head Speed MP Review
The Speed MP tennis racquet is built for a wider range of players.
Head Speed MP Racquet Specifications
- Weight: 11.1 oz. strung
- Head Size: 100 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Balance: 330.2 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
The Head Speed MP Adds Spin and Power to Your Game
The Speed MP has a more open (16×19) string pattern which will help grab the ball a bit more on contact. This gives the MP tennis racquet more spin potential than the Pro version. It is slightly lighter than the Pro version as well.
With the balance at 330.2mm, it is a bit heavier in the head which will help with power and stability.
Intermediate and advanced players who like to hit with spin and power without sacrificing too much control will get the most out of the Head Speed MP.
While this version does have more power and spin with less control and feel than the Pro version, it is still a very balanced racquet.
When comparing it with other advanced tennis racquets on the market, it still ranks close to the middle on the power vs control spectrum.
The Graphene 360+ technology helps add a bit of flexibility and feel to this racquet as well. Players will find it is comfortable on groundstrokes and volleys.
The Head Speed Performs Well in Several Areas
It is great for all areas of the court.
- On groundstrokes, you can hit with precision, depth, and spin.
- On volleys, the touch and feel are also excellent.
- On returns, the stability and string pattern will help you control the ball well.
- On serves, you’ll find a good blend of power and spin.
Other Sellers: Amazon.com
Reviewing Other Versions of the Head Speed
The other versions of the Head Speed are lighter tennis racquets, making them great for lower-level players.
| Speed Team 2024 | Speed MP L 2024 |
|---|---|
| A lighter version of the Speed made for easy targeting. | The lightest version at only 10.4 oz. strung. |
| Better for beginners or intermediate players who are still developing their skills. | This is a beginner tennis racquet for people who need something very light. |
| A very playable racquet for all styles of play. | A very forgiving racquet for those who are new to tennis. |
| Buy the Speed Team 2024 on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the Speed MP L 2024 on Tennis Warehouse |
Stop paying full price for tennis gear! Get deals on shoes, racquets & more up to 70% off.
The Best Alternatives to the Head Speed
Below are 3 other tennis racquets similar to the Head Speed that you may want to consider.
- Wilson Blade – A slightly more comfortable racquet, the Blade is very popular among intermediate and advanced players who seek precision on their strokes.
- Babolat Pure Strike – A more compact racquet, the Pure Strike offers better control and stability in a stiffer frame. It isn’t quite as comfortable or forgiving from the baseline.
- Head Extreme – A more powerful and spin-friendly racquet than the Speed, the Extreme is great for players who like to control the opponent from the baseline. It doesn’t offer the same stability or feel around the net though.
My Experience Playing with the Head Speed
The Head Speed Pro is my favorite racquet Head currently makes. It also happens to be Will’s racquet of choice on the match court for the past several years. It is a fantastic all-around racquet.
The 100-inch frame is more forgiving and a little more powerful than my current racquet of choice, which was especially welcomed on the return of serve. It also has an 18×20 string pattern which I love, maintaining precision and control from all areas of the court.
My groundstrokes had plenty of depth and spin with this racquet. Transitioning from the baseline to the net also felt great with its good maneuverability. It did feel solid at the net as well, but I still prefer my Yonex Vcore Pro 97HD (old version of the Percept 97D) that gave me a little bit better touch.
On serve I did find my flat serves started to get away from me a little bit becoming harder to control, but my slice and kick serves were excellent.
Overall, this racquet doesn’t do any one thing the best, but it does everything well. It is an excellent racquet for all-court players. After reviewing dozens of racquets, no tennis racquet on the market has the balance of the Head Speed series.
Leave a Reply