Head Speed Pro 2024
- Price: $269
- Head Size: 100 sq. in.
- Length: 27 in.
- Weight: 11.6 oz.
- Balance: 6 pts. HL
- Swingweight: 333
- RA Rating: 60
- Beam Width: 23 mm
- String Pattern: 18x20
What’s New
Auextic 2.0 technology makes its way into the Speed line. Head continues to expand and implement the carbon fiber construction into 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 black 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 Pro brings a little bit of everything to the court. It produces a clean, comfortable and highly repeatable ball with an attractive blend of power, spin and control. Experienced players with developed strokes and complete games will appreciate the racquet’s weight of shot and versatile playability.
Even though it’s a highly flexible frame—perhaps even more so than the outgoing model—the ample swingweight prevents it from feeling overly soft or anemic, even on off-center contact. In fact, it just feels connected and solid. And if you are coming to it from the Speed Pro 2022, it will be a pain-free transition.
For an 18x20 model, the Pro is on the friendly side with an above the norm sized sweet spot. When compared to control-oriented 98s, the slightly larger head size offers a bit more margin for error, especially on defense. Given the tight pattern, it’s not built for topspin like the more open Speed MP. The natural lift isn’t quite there and you need to make adjustments for the lower ball flight. Plus, the hefty swingweight means it’s not overly whippy, encouraging more linear swings. But this makes the Pro a natural when hitting flatter balls and hard slices. So players who prefer to drive their shots should be content with the frame’s trajectory and spin potential.
The tighter pattern also affords a great deal of precision. On ground strokes you can match pace with placement for added aggression. Serves never feel like the ball is going to fly. There’s confidence not only to hit out, but to aim for precise targets and move the ball all around the service box.
This translates to returns of serve as well. As with groundstrokes, the racquet is solid, stable, and versatile. The mass proves more than capable of blocking hard serves back with depth and accuracy. It’s adept at mixing angle and depth, a welcome trait for effective doubles returns. And when given the opportunity to hit a soft second serve with authority, you can really put opponents on their heels.
At net, the Pro performs more like a thinner-beamed midsize than a modern 100. It has the feel to navigate challenging low volleys and the pocketing and punch to dispose of anything above the net. The spreading of Auxetic to additional parts of the frame gives the racquet a plush response that’s light years ahead of the franchise’s earlier Graphene models.