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Head Radical Review: Comparing the Head Radical Pro & MP Tennis Racquets

Will Boucek · June 25, 2024

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The Head Radical is one of the best tennis racquets for power on the market. Below, we’ll review the Head Radical, including pros, cons, and different models of the racquet. Then, we’ll compare it to other tennis racquets to help you decide if the Radical is right for you.

Review Summary & Ratings for the Head Radical

The Head Radical has been one of the most popular models of tennis racquets in the world for decades.

The Radical tennis racquet is known for its control and feel. Head has now updated the Radical to include a bit more power and flexibility. Head also makes different versions of the Radical for all skill levels.

See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Head Radical below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.

Our Ratings for the Head Radical

• Groundstrokes: 8
• Great control & feel
• Great spin potential for an advanced racquet
• Decent power for a 98 square inch head size
• Very comfortable, flexible frame
• Easy to swing
• Not great for beginners
• Less power than some other advanced racquets

Different Versions of the Head Radical Tennis Racquet

The Head Radical racquet comes in several different versions that vary in size, weight, string pattern, and other specifications. Below is a list of the different Head Radical tennis racquets available with information on how each racquet can help your tennis game.

• Head Radical Pro 2023
• Head Radical MP 2023
• Head Radical Team 2023

We’ll review each version in more detail below.

What did Head Update with the Radical 2023?

With the newest version of the Radical, Head did not make significant changes.

• Head added their new Auxetic technology to the throat of the racquet for improved feel.
• The main difference with the new versions is that they have better stability and power, but less maneuverability.
• I’d recommend the previous version if you want something easier to handle, but the newer version for higher-level players who need better stability and feel.

You can still purchase the old version of the Radical and its family of racquets for a discount.

Stop paying full price for tennis gear! Get deals on shoes, racquets & more up to 70% off .

Head Radical Pro Review: A Control-Oriented Racquet

This is the most advanced version of the Head Radical.

Head Radical Pro Racquet Specifications

• Weight: 11.7 oz. strung
• Head Size: 98 square inches
• Length: 27 inches
• Balance: 323.9 mm
• String Pattern: 16×19

This racquet has a good weight for an advanced racquet giving it excellent stability. At 98 square inches, it is definitely a control-based racquet. The beam is relatively thin making it easy to maneuver, and the open string pattern allows you to add spin to your shots.

Other Sellers: Amazon.com

The Head Radical is a Great All-Around Advanced Racquet

The newest version of the Head Radical Pro is one of the all-around best tennis racquets for advanced players on the market. It has enough power from the baseline, while still being built more for control.

The 16×19 string pattern makes it very spin-friendly as well. The weight and graphene 360+ technology help with defending against faster-paced shots with sufficient comfort.

Advanced singles and doubles players who want a good blend of comfort, feel, and stability will like the Radical Pro. It is great for players who can create their own power and control the point with precision and spin.

The only area this racquet might be lacking is in its power. If you have a slower swing, read our Head Speed review (choose the MP version) or Head Extreme review for a racquet with more power.

Head Radical MP Review: A Lighter, More Playable Version

The Radical MP tennis racquet is a lighter version for less advanced players seeking a bit more power.

Head Radical MP Racquet Specifications

Here are the specifications for the Head Radical MP.

• Weight: 11.2 oz. strung
• Balance: 330.2 mm

This racquet is slightly lighter than the Pro version. It has a thicker frame and a balance point closer to the end of the racquet (more head heavy) for added power and stability. The MP version is also easier to swing.

The Head Radical MP Offers a Blend of Control, Power, & Spin

The Radical MP is a great tennis racquet for intermediate or advanced players looking for something a bit easier to handle.

Although lighter than the Pro version, the Radical MP has a slightly thicker beam to help add power and stability to the racquet. At 98 square inches, it is still an advanced tennis racquet but with a bit better maneuverability.

Intermediate and advanced players who like to control their shots with spin and feel will like the Radical MP. It doesn’t sacrifice too much power either.

The open string pattern of the Radical MP allows for great spin potential for an advanced racquet as well. This racquet won’t have as much power as some other advanced tennis racquets, but it will offer a bit better control and feel.

The Radical Pro is Great on Groundstrokes & Serves

The Pro version of the Radical performs well on both groundstrokes and volleys.

• On groundstrokes, you’ll find the Radical is easy to swing, but with enough weight to get depth on your shots. You’ll have good control on offensive or defensive shots as well.
• On volleys, the combination of maneuverability and stability makes it solid for fast-paced doubles, but lacking some maneuverability.
• On returns, the weight and stability will help you defend fast first serves. You’ll be able to attack second serves with control and spin as well.
• On serves, this racquet does not have a ton of power. However, you can hit with good spin and control, and the newest version has some added power.

This is not a good tennis racquet for beginners , however, some intermediate players who can generate their own power will like the Head Radical Pro.

Reviewing Other Versions of the Head Radical

There is one other version of the Head Radical that might be right for you.

• Head Radical Team – An updated version of the old Radical S. It has a 102 square inch head size for rising intermediate players. At 10.4 oz., this is a great option for players looking for a speedy racquet with good feel.

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The Best Alternatives to the Head Radical

Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Head Radical.

• Head Speed – The Speed tennis racquet has a slightly larger, more forgiving frame. Head offers versions for most skill levels.
• Head Prestige – The Prestige is a slightly more control-oriented racquet than the Radical. Advanced players will find better touch and feel with less power.
• Wilson Blade – The Blade is a bit more comfortable than the Radical and will provide a bit better control. There are versions for most skill levels as well.
• Solinco Blackout – A racquet with similar all-around playability providing extra comfort and control.

My Experience Playing with the Head Radical

The Radical felt like a very balanced racquet for me. I played both singles and doubles with the Radical Pro, which is the most advanced version of the racquet.

Similar to my Head Speed Pro , I felt like the Radical had no real weaknesses. I generated a good spin and power on my serves. From the baseline, it performed similarly on my groundstrokes with a high level of comfort. I was able to hit with easy depth and topspin.

The racquet is easy to swing and maneuver for its weight as well. At the net, the handling was great. While it doesn’t have quite the feel or stability of a racquet like the Head Prestige , it is still solid on volleys.

When returning, I found a similar story. It was right in the middle of other Head tennis racquets . I generated good power and spin against second serves, and had enough stability to defend against hard-hit first serves.

Overall, the Head Radical is a great racquet for tennis players with a modern baseline game who want a good balance of power, spin, control, feel, and comfort.

About Will Boucek

Will Boucek is the Founder & CEO of Tennis Tribe. With over two decades of experience playing & coaching tennis, Will now works as a doubles strategy analyst for ATP & WTA tour players and coaches. Will helps tennis players at every level play better doubles through smarter strategy. He also has expertise in tennis racquets & gear, testing the latest products from Wilson, Babolat, Head, Prince, and other tennis brands.

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Classic Racquets: HEAD LM Instinct MP

What are truly classic racquets? I believe it applies to racquets that are still great 15-20 years after their release. Like the HEAD LM Instinct MP.

As most loyal readers of Tennisnerd know, I have a weak spot for Liquidmetal (LM) technology. When HEAD released the HEAD LM Instinct MP, it was a bestseller despite that those metal ridges on the racquet might look a bit weird to some. But the technology made the racquet play really stable and HEAD had already mastered the “feel” department so this was a test to see if they could make their racquets crisper and more powerful.

For most players, it worked well. Both the LM Radical and the LM Instinct are classics today and used under various paint jobs on the pro tours (the LM Prestige was a bit too flexible for my liking). I always preferred the Radical for its more controlled response, but now that I am looking for more power and spin, the LM Instinct is a great choice with its more tweener-friendly specs.

HEAD LM Instinct MP – Unstrung Specs

Head size: 100 sq inches / 645 sq cm Length: 27 inches / 68,6 cm Beamwidth: 23/25/21 mm Weight: 300 grams unstrung / 10.6 oz String pattern: 18×19 Balance: 6 pts HL unstrung / 32,5 cm Swingweight: 330 (strung!) Stiffness rating: 66 RA unstrung

There is also an extended-length version of the LM Instinct MP called the XL Tour. That one is  27,5 inches long, heavier and has a 16×19 string pattern. Richard Gasquet uses that version, but I generally prefer standard length racquets.

How does it play?

As you can see from the specs, this is a slightly beefier tweener racquet. The swing weight makes it more stable than most tweeners and the string pattern of 18×19 instead of 16×19 gives it a bit better directional control and a lower launch angle. Both of these characteristics make it work better for my game than a HEAD Extreme for example. I actually wonder why HEAD stopped producing the 18×19 string pattern for the retail market. I think it offers a nice balance of control and spin.

The HEAD LM Instinct MP plays powerful but less so than a Pure Aero or Extreme style racquet. It has a slightly “tinny” response, which is typical for the LM technology. I find it quite comfortable, but some players have complained about elbow pain when using this racquet. That is why I would recommend you string it with a softer poly or multifilament at a mid-to-low tension.

Summary and Video

I love the response from the HEAD LM Instinct MP. The string pattern gives me the possibility to flatten out strokes, but access to spin when I need it. The stiffness rating is just right as it offers some pop to finish rallies, but not too much so that you lose control. The racquets do pretty much everything well and I especially like it on my one-handed backhand, where the larger sweet spot helps to get access to spin and power on the often weaker wing.

Simply a top-notch racquet that deserves to be called a classic.

What are other classic racquets you would like to see reviewed on Tennisnerd?

Jonas Eriksson

Jonas has been known as "tennis nerd" mainly for his obsessing about racquets and gear. Plays this beautiful sport almost every day.

Kim Clijsters WTA Tour Comeback

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Love the classic racquet reviews. So many of these frames still used in action today as you mentioned in the text. The H22 from Wilson is based on Novaks old Radical-mold and still lives on today, in the most used pro-stock frame

Do you prefer Liquidmetal instinct mp or Liquidmetal Radical TOUR?

keep the classic racquet reviews coming! Would love to see more old Yonex frames reviewed like some older R Series!

This is exactly why I keep three of these and Prince Diablo tours despite having new Vcore 98’s. They’re hard to give up although maybe not best for my game to play around with each.

Definitely classic racket review are really classic!! I wish you will keep reviewing more of those rackets. Is pt 161 pro stock code for instinct LM?

Yes! More of these, please. It’s great to hear feedback and comparisons of the old frames some (or most) of us have played in the past and possibly still own. When reviewing new racquets it’s almost a necessity to refer back to older models and having first-hand reviews of those as well is really helpful. Great content!

Were the LM series Made in Austria? Love the Classic Racquet reviews!

I love the reviews and nods to classic frames, but you’re going to bankrupt me! I just acquired one of these for a reasonable price. How many times have I said that? Too many! It’s tough being a tennis nerd.

Haha, know the feeling! It is not easy being a tennis nerd. But it is FUN! :D

Played with this last night. Wow! I was impressed. I’m going to experiment with strings and grips and see if I can dial it in to my specs. Thanks for the rec.

Is this a true 100 square inch head or is it measured from the outside like other older head frames? Thanks!

Measured from the outside, so more like 98

Hi, great to read about this raquet. It was my only one for so many years…I bought a Clash 100 recently that I can’t really bond with. What is your call for the today’s raquet closest to the Instict Liquid Metal mp? Best regars

hi there, great to read about this one. it was my racquet for many many years. would love to know which today’s racquet would be the closest to the LM Instinct MP, in.your view? thanks! best regards from Brazil!

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Head Liquidmetal Radical MP - 2003

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The History of the HEAD Radical Series

Celebrating 30 years of ‘The People’s Racquet’

First designed for a "rebellious" Andre Agassi in the early 1990s, the RADICAL continues to live up to its name. Thirty years after it was first launched, the racquet is still disrupting the tennis world.

From Agassi to Andy Murray to Taylor Fritz and from Sloane Stephens to Diego Schwartzman, some of the sport’s most creative and groundbreaking athletes have endorsed the RADICAL racquet series. With HEAD relaunching the series in 2023, with an upgrade that includes state-of-the-art Auxetic technology for sensational impact feel, we look back at the history of a racquet that is now as iconic as the man who inspired it.

2023: Auxetic RADICAL

Upgraded with state-of-the-art Auxetic technology,  the new RADICAL racquet for 2023  offers sensational impact feel and increased confidence in your game. There's no shot you can't play with 'The People's Racquet', which supplies outstanding versatility and playability.

A new, bold and asymmetrical design illustrates the modernity and innovation of the RADICAL, which has a number of exclusive technologies, including sound grommets, which enhance your power through greater string movement while optimizing sound and vibrations. While the variable beam cross-section perfectly balances power, control and spin, the dense 16/19 string pattern supplies an optimal mix of control and power. 

1995: RADICAL TOUR 630 and RADICAL TOUR 690

The RADICAL was updated with Twintube technology and with a striking black and white design which earned it a new nickname, 'The Zebra'. Agassi liked how HEAD were forever innovating. "HEAD were a great partner. They were always willing to explore ways of making me better," said Agassi, who would win the gold medal at the 1996 Olympics Games with his RADICAL racquet. "I was always looking for ways to make the racquet stronger, and to absorb pace better. And there were some materials that changed along the way, and tinkering of weight and balance."

"If it looked the part and performed the part, I was pretty happy with it. HEAD built a racquet that was like an extension of your hand and from the first day I never looked back." 

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Review: HEAD Liquidmetal Radical Midplus- CAP Grommets

• Thread starter Greek Goliath
• Start date Mar 14, 2010

Greek Goliath

• Mar 14, 2010

Hi all. I know that the Liquidmetal Radical is an old frame. However, as it is still available, and cheap as well, I thought I would do a review of the setup that I had. I removed the stock pallet, replaced it with a TK82S (more boxy, Wilson-shaped) pallet, put a touch of lead at 3&9, used the Microgel Prestige Midplus grommets to CAP the frame, added silicone in the handle, and counterbalanced the rest with lead under the grip. Next, I added a TW leather grip, and strung up the frame with Topspin Cyber Flash 17L at 52 and 50 lbs in the mains and crosses, respectively. Here are the specs: HEAD Liquidmetal Radical Midplus- CAP Grommets Head Size: 98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm. Length: 27 inches / 69 cm Strung Weight: 12.49oz / 354g Balance: 12.9375 inches/ 32.86125 cm/ 4.5 pts Head Light Swingweight: 351 Stiffness: 64 Beam Width: 21 mm Straight Beam Composition: LiquidMetal Titanium / Graphite and Piezzo Electric Fibers Power Level: Low Swing Speed: Fast Pallet: TK82S (HEAD Speed Line- Wilson/Rounded shape) Grip Size: L4 (4 1/2) Grip Type: Tennis Warehouse Leather String Pattern: 18 Mains / 20 Crosses Mains skip: 9T,8H,10H Two Piece No shared holes String: Topspin Cyber Flash 17L (1.20) String Tension: 52/50 pounds I found the stock Liquidmetal to be a bit tinny. However, this version was rock solid. Stability is the key word here. It hits a fairly heavy ball, and is extremely arm friendly. I've never really had a problem with my joints (knock on wood!), but there wasn't even a hint of soreness after four consecutive hours of hitting. Serves were well placed. I lost some power compared to my PT57Es, and the Radical is not as plush, but it is a better volleying racquet, it retains that same control, and I feel as if it has a tad more spin potential. Cheers, Greek Goliath  

Very interesting idea Greek - I really like the specs you ended up with. I have a couple questions about your process if you don't mind: -Any issues installing the Prestige MP Cap's? -Where did you get ahold of the the TK82S Pallet? -What method do you use to put silicone into the handle? I hope these aren't too elementary of requests - I am just very interested in this process and how you can take a sale/discounted racquet and turn it into something with good weight and nicely customized to fit ones game. Thanks!  

Professional

ebster said: Very interesting idea Greek - I really like the specs you ended up with. I have a couple questions about your process if you don't mind: -Any issues installing the Prestige MP Cap's? -Where did you get ahold of the the TK82S Pallet? -What method do you use to put silicone into the handle? I hope these aren't too elementary of requests - I am just very interested in this process and how you can take a sale/discounted racquet and turn it into something with good weight and nicely customized to fit ones game. Thanks! Click to expand...

ebster said: Hi ebster and marosmith, Very interesting idea Greek - I really like the specs you ended up with. I have a couple questions about your process if you don't mind: -Any issues installing the Prestige MP Cap's? None at all. I heated the grommets first to make them easier to maneuver. -Where did you get ahold of the the TK82S Pallet? My local pro shop. Tennis Warehouse Europe sells them as well, but shipping could be expensive. -What method do you use to put silicone into the handle? First, I measured the amount I needed using an empty toilet paper roll. I cured silicone, measured its mass, and added/removed the silicone as needed to figure out how much silicone to inject. Next, I switched the pallets. I pulled off the buttcap, and stuffed a couple of cotton balls up the throat to prevent the silicone from entering the head. Next, I injected the proper amount of silicone and allowed it to cure. Finally, I stapled the buttcap back on. I hope these aren't too elementary of requests - I am just very interested in this process and how you can take a sale/discounted racquet and turn it into something with good weight and nicely customized to fit ones game. Thanks! Click to expand...

much appreciated - thanks for your response! My last question is just about the added weight - about how much silicone / lead did you have to add in order to get the frame up to 354g? It seems that silicone may be the way to go when adding weight to the handle in order to keep it "spread out" in the handle - in my experience in can be tricky to add weight under a grip or in the trap door without creating too distinct of a concentration of weight. Do you prefer the silicone over lead for handle counterbalance? I would be curious to see how the specs would look with just the prestige capped grommets and a leather grip with some small amounts of lead at 3 and 9 or 10 and 2. Contemplating testing something like this myself - maybe with a microgel radical. Do you prefer this frame over your 57e? Or is it just an nice alternative? thanks again!  

• Mar 17, 2010

Hey Greek, You still liking the upgraded radical?  

I also have a leaded Radical MP. At least 16 grams seven inches up the handle, 4 grams at the buttcap, 10 grams at 3 and 9 o'clock in the head. Final specs: 12.6 oz overall strung 8 pts head light 351 swingweight This racquet totally transformed. Very solid and stable across the head. Created a large sweetspot that enhanced volley control. Dense string pattern keeps overall control high, though I had to up the tension a bit because of the increased power. Groundstrokes are firm with excellent ability to steer the ball. Feels beefy, but still maneuverable - serve was tough initially to adjust, however, if I let the racquet do the work and not muscle the serve, it is fine. Produces a heavy ball. Easy on the arm. This cheap frame, with a little lead work, transformed into a true players racquet. (I have demoed the KPS88 and it had even more pinpoint precise control and heavier spin than my leaded Radical MP with a little less power. However it is THREE times the cost!)  

Hall of Fame

I totally agree, this is a good stick stock n unlike a lot of other "players" sticks out there, this actually gets better with some modding. Being that it's rather light in the first place, it lends itself to being able to mod ups easily. Another 2 sticks that I feel are easy to mod up and play well are the Speed MP 18x20 & the Gamma T-7 (if only it came in a 95 & 18x20...) mawashi  

I have a Microgel Radical and will also like to do some mods. I want to put a CAP grommet on but just can't bring myself to cut out the natural gut I have it strung with.  

• Mar 21, 2010

hello, nice job, do you have any picture?, thanks a lot,  

• Mar 27, 2010

Bringing this back up, as folks are always looking for a racquet that is: Easy on the wallet Easy on the arm Easy to customize Easy to like I've got 2, I put silicone in the handle today and lead at 12 oclock. I will spec them out and report back.  

• Apr 3, 2010

Do you know which were the starting specs of your lm radicals (I know what TW says), did you weighted them before customizing?  

Sorry about not responding to this thread; I was on vacation for a couple of weeks. My Radicals were almost exactly on spec (for once). The weight was a little light, by two or three grams I think, and it was .25pts more HL. Hope this helps. Cheers, Greek Goliath  

• May 11, 2012

Greek Goliath said: Sorry about not responding to this thread; I was on vacation for a couple of weeks. My Radicals were almost exactly on spec (for once). The weight was a little light, by two or three grams I think, and it was .25pts more HL. Hope this helps. Cheers, Greek Goliath Click to expand...

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