Racquet Review: Head Speed MP 2024

Price: $259

Head Size: 100 sq. in.

Length: 27 in.

Weight: 11.1 oz.

Balance: 4 pts. HL

Swingweight: 329

RA Rating: 60

Beam Width: 23 mm

String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

Auextic 2.0 technology makes its way into the Speed line. Head continues to expand and implement the carbon fiber construction in new parts of the frame. Along with the yoke piece, it now occupies space at the end of the handle. It helps create a more uniform and pleasing response at contact regardless of impact location on the string bed. It also is intended to amplify the racquet’s distinctive feel. So the Speed will be even more Speed-like. Additionally, the color block design scheme evolves with changes to the blade and white shading. The specs also have a new concept—a simplified and easier to read presentation on the throat versus the previous style on the beam of the frame.

What Works

The Speed MP is a top-seller for Head, and it’s no mystery as to why. The racquet has a solid, comfortable feel at contact, producing lively shots with good power and easy spin. It’s the type of frame that gives a little boost to all your strokes without going overboard, and the pleasing response is something often missing from many of the competing modern-player frames. It's a racquet that suits developing players with room for growth, and accomplished vets looking for something a bit more user-friendly.

Given the appeal, it makes sense that updates will be subtle. Those using or familiar with the Speed MP 2022, will find this latest to be a mostly seamless transition. The primary dimensions—head size, weight, beam width—all remain identical. In terms of refinement, flexibility and swingweight appear to both be slightly elevated from the outgoing model. The only noteworthy technological modification has been an extension of Auxetic construction to give the frame a more dependable response. The feel of a racquet is intangible, so that kind of improvement is in the hands of the beholder.

That said, the new Speed MP is a natural from the baseline. Some previous iterations lacked clout at times, but that’s not the case here. The racquet’s combination of balance and swingweight gives it a heavier presence than its weight would indicate. Yet, it’s still spry enough to whip through the strike zone to produce ground strokes with consistent depth and accuracy. The power is at a level where it gives you help in a pinch with a fairly stock swing, but it’s not so robust that a lack of control is a problem.

It’s the type of frame that gives a little boost to all your strokes without going overboard, and the pleasing response is something often missing from many of the competing modern-player frames.

This is primarily due to the frame’s wide spin window. Ample topspin can be generated to keep shots inside the lines and bounding off the court. This gives the freedom to swing away without too much fear of shots going long. It lacks some heft to hit a real biting slice, but topspin lobs are a piece of cake. String it up with a poly—we used Hawk Power 17—and you can hit those heavy, obnoxious forehands that bully opponents into submission.

The formula translates to serving as well. There’s enough pop to cause trouble from a smooth, relaxed delivery with fairly reliable targeting. And when more pace is desired, stepping on a flat serve can bump up the mph and end the point with one swing. The spin potential gives kick serves lots of action to keep opponents at bay, or as a change of pace to put them on the defensive. Aggressive baseliners who thrive on serve-plus-one tactics with find this racquet perfectly suited to the task.

This is not to imply the Speed MP struggles with the more subtle parts of the game. Far from it. It’s perhaps not as refined as a thinner-beamed 98, but the playability offers room to be crafty. Again, it’s remarkably sturdy for its weight and low stiffness rating, standing up well to a blistered pass at net and punching the resulting volleys with interest. Yet, the touch is there to play a softer shot shorter in the court. So it’s got some all-court chops to balance its considerable baseline acumen.

What Needs Work

If you’re accustomed to lower-powered frames, there are instances when the Speed’s might can get disruptive. This is most apparent on flatter drives aimed at a smaller target. Trying to hit a passing shot or put away a short ball without enough topspin for safety isn’t as dependable as some. Which is certainly the case when compared to the Speed Pro, it’s heavier sibling with a tighter 18x20 string pattern.

Along the same lines, the MP is steady on returns, but at times imprecise. It’s quite effective when given time to take a big cut to make an impression, or simply blocking the ball deep to get the point started. However, if needing to direct a return through a tight window—such as keeping the ball away from the net player in doubles—execution doesn’t consistently match intent.

Lastly, the swingweight and concentration of mass toward the hoop can make the frame feel a bit sluggish at times. It’s not cumbersome, but not as agile as others at its head size and weight class.

Tester Comments

“Overall, I really enjoyed playing with this one. I think it’s a subtle but positive change from the prior version.”

“I’m not sure I love the skunk/Oreo cookie cosmetic. Otherwise, just a really fun and effective racquet from all areas of the court.”

“One of the best frames I’ve ever used, period.”

Bottom Line

Controllable power, good spin potential, comfortable feel. The Speed MP 2024 is a real crowd-pleaser.