Okay, here’s my experience with the Head Graphene XT Radical MP tennis racket, shared in a blog-post style:
So, I’ve been on the hunt for a new stick lately, something with a bit more control than my old, super-powered beast. I’d heard some good things about the Head Graphene XT Radical MP, so I decided to give it a whirl. I went down to my local tennis shop and picked one up. First impression? It felt pretty good in my hand – nicely balanced, not too heavy, not too light.
Demo Time
The shop had a demo program, which is awesome. I took the racket out for a couple of hitting sessions. The first thing I noticed was the smaller head size (98 sq. in.). I’m used to something a bit bigger, so I knew I’d have to be more precise with my shots. I started out just rallying, getting a feel for the racket. It felt solid, and I could definitely feel the ball better than with my old racket. I was getting decent spin, too.
- Groundstrokes: This is where I really started to like this racket. I could swing pretty freely and still keep the ball in the court. My shots felt more controlled, and I was placing the ball better.
- Serves: Serves felt good, too. I wasn’t blasting them, but I was getting good placement and consistency.
- Volleys: The racket felt maneuverable at the net. I could react quickly and punch volleys with good accuracy.
Tweaking and Tuning
After the first couple of sessions, I decided to play around with the string tension. The demo came strung pretty tight. I took it back to the shop and had them lower the tension a bit. That made a big difference! I got a little more power and a bit more feel for the ball. It just felt right.
Match Play
Finally, I took the plunge and used the Radical MP in a couple of friendly matches. That’s where it really shone. I felt confident going for my shots. I was moving well, hitting with good depth, and controlling the points more than usual. My opponents even commented on how I was playing sharper.
Overall Thoughts
I’m really digging this racket. It’s not a magic wand or anything, but it’s definitely helped me improve my control and consistency. It took a little getting used to, especially with the smaller head size, but once I dialed in the string tension, it felt great. If you’re looking for a racket that offers a good blend of control and feel, and you’re not afraid of a little work, I’d definitely recommend checking out the Head Graphene XT Radical MP.
