head prestige tour 2020 review

Head Prestige Tour (2020) tennis racket review

The Head Prestige is probably Head’s most well known and talked about advanced players tennis racket mainly thanks to the legendary players that have become synonymous with the red racket over the years. When we found out the frame was undergoing a belt and braces upgrade we just had to try it out for ourselves. Here’s how it went…

Head have been investing considerable resources in their whole racket range in recent years most notably with the launch of a complete new range, the Gravity , which went on sale last summer to great fanfare. Now they’ve decided that the hugely succesful Prestige needed the same treatment.

The background

When someone says Head Prestige it immediately conjures up images of Marat Safin, Gustavo Kuerten and Thomas Muster winning match after match on the red clay whilst their racket literally ‘whistled’ through the air. Yes that’s right, it whistled! Why? Because of a very tight stringing pattern and stiff frame that, at certain high racket head speeds, would create a whistling sound as the racket swished through the air. So have Head modernised the racket or have they gone back to the aspects of the Prestige that made it so famous? A bit of both actually…

The technology

Head introduced Graphene in 2013 and the material now forms the core component of most of their tennis rackets. Graphene 360 has now been introduced to the Head Prestige whereby the frame incorporates Graphene at all the major impact points including the shaft and the head. Graphene aids the “mass distribution” (hitting the ball) therefore allowing “greater manoeuvrability and more power”.

Spiralfiber technology is new for this iteration of the Prestige and means there are “twisted fibers placed on the shoulder area of the racket which accompany the frame in it’s deformation and provide greater flex and a clean impact feeling”.

The Head Prestige Tour version of the range that we decided to test weighs 305g and has a slightly elongated shaft than normal to help add a bit more flexibility to this traditionally stiff racket.

Watch what happened when our tester tried out the Head Prestige Tour 

The play test feedback

tennishead let loose one of our most experienced all-court testers for this session as we really wanted to put the Prestige through it’s paces with a player who’s game closely matched the specification provided by the manufacturer.

Liam hits a relatively flat ball and is very happy grinding it out from the baseline or looking to finish the point quickly in the forecourt, so he was very excited to try this new version of a classic racket.

Firstly, we asked Liam for a comparison to his current racket, a Yonex EZONE 98. “The specifications are very similar between this Prestige Tour and my own racket especially the weight. I felt the head was a little stiffer than what I normally use which made this racket feel more control orientated”.

When Liam started off hitting groundstrokes he immediately noticed the stiffness of the Prestige which he felt “enables him to put the ball where he wanted but sometimes if I hit the ball a bit late maybe the power wasn’t quite there”.

Moving to the net for volleys and touch shots he really enjoyed being able “to do whatever I wanted with the volleys in terms of drop shots, power volleys and really easy to get a load of backspin on it. Really enjoyed it”.

Liam then tried hitting smashes and serves with the Head Prestige Tour and felt that the 305g weight made it “really easy to serve and getting up to the ball was nice as I could put some pace on it, which is great”.

When we asked about the effect of the new spiralfiber technology on the racket Liam said, “In terms of flexibility, I’ve played with other rackets that have more flexibility but I think that’s to do with the fact that this is such a solid frame”.

The specifications

For a detailed explanation of each racket measurement criteria below have a read of our guide.

Head Prestige Tour (2020)

Head size = 99 sq in

Weight = 305g

String pattern = 18/19

In conclusion

This was an exciting racket to test because of the heritage that comes with the Head Prestige and it’s fair to say that Head haven’t tried to change a winning formula, they’ve merely polished a diamond.

If you are an advanced player who likes competitive matches in both singles and doubles and doesn’t rely on masses of topspin then you’ll be doing yourself an injustice if you don’t try the new Head Prestige Tour.

Our advice would be to very carefully choose the right model from the range and also to take your time to try out different types and tensions of string, as the strings will have more of an impact in a racket like this.

Now go ahead and demo a modern classic!

Buy the Head Prestige Tour

tennishead has teamed up with AllThingsTennis.co.uk , our trusted online retail partner, to offer you an incredible price and service if you’d like to purchase the brand new Head Prestige Tour.

Head’s RRP for this racket is £210 but as a tennishead reader you will receive 5% off the already heavily discounted price of £169 if you use promo code: TENNISHEAD5 when purchasing this racket from AllThingsTennis.co.uk. They are also offering everyone a free string upgrade worth up to £30. What’s not to like about that!

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About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.

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Tennis Tribe

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Head Prestige Review: Compare All Models of the Prestige Tennis Racquets

Will Boucek · March 10, 2024

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

Review Summary & Ratings for the Head Prestige

The Head Prestige has been around for a long time and is known for its precise control and feel for advanced-level tennis players.

Head makes Prestige tennis racquets for intermediate to advanced tennis players. Their most recent Prestige model is from 2023.

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

Our Ratings for the Head Prestige

• Groundstrokes: 8
• Great advanced-level racquet for control & feel
• Weight helps with power & stability against pace
• Excellent stability on volleys
• Comfortable frame on contact
• Great touch around the net
• Very stable returning against hard servers
• Not great for beginner to intermediate players
• Heavy frame can be difficult to handle

The Different Versions of the Head Prestige Tennis Racquet

The Head Prestige tennis racquet comes in several versions that vary in weight and size. Below is a list of the different Head Prestige racquets on the market today.

• Head Prestige Pro
• Head Prestige Tour
• Head Prestige MP L

We’ll review each version in more detail below.

What’s New with the 2023 Auxetic 2 Prestige?

Head has updated the Prestige line of racquets with the new Auxetic 2 technology, adding extra flexibility and comfort to the famed line. Fans of the Prestige will be happy that they still have a very classic feel that Head is known for. The specs for the Prestige Pro and Prestige Tour racquets are nearly identical to the previous version, but I did feel a little more power compared to the previous version.

• Prestige Pro: Very similar with a little extra power
• Prestige Tour: Also similar with a little extra power
• Prestige MP L: Noticeable increase in power, spin, and maneuverability

The main difference in the 2023 Prestige line is with the Prestige MP L (formerly just the Prestige MP). This racquet has been updated from an 18×19 string pattern to a 16×19 pattern, providing a little extra power and spin. It is also a little bit lighter, dropping in weight to 11.2 ounces. Maneuverability has been slightly improved with a slight sacrifice in stability, but overall the updates make this racquet a little more accessible to those that prefer a lighter racquet that maintains the classic feel.

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Head Prestige Pro Review

The Pro version is the most control-oriented Prestige racquet. It is one of the best 8 tennis racquets for control .

Head Prestige Pro Racquet Specifications

• Weight: 11.9 oz. strung
• Head Size: 98 square inches
• Length: 27 inches
• Balance: 320 mm
• String Pattern: 18×20

The Prestige Pro has a heavy frame and is best for advanced players only. This added weight helps with both power and stability when hitting against pace. Lower level players will have trouble handling this racquet.

The tight string pattern and classic 98 square inch frame give it excellent feel and control as well. This is makes the Prestige Pro great for players who can generate their own power. It’s also one of the best racquets on the market for volleys and feel shots around the net.

On-Court Performance Review of the Prestige Pro

The Prestige Pro is going to give you a precise feel on all shots so you can place the ball anywhere on the court.

• On groundstrokes, the Prestige Pro will help you generate enough power, but with better control than most modern racquets.
• On volleys, the stability of this racquet will stand out. You will feel in control on both defensive and attacking volleys. It will feel great on half-volleys as well. Because of its weight, it is more difficult to maneuver than some other racquets.
• On returns, the stability will help against powerful first serves. Against second serves, you will be able to step in and hit with controlled power.
• On serves, you won’t be able to create quite as much power. This racquet helps you least in this area, however, you should still find good control with your serve.

Overall, the Head Prestige Pro is a great advanced tennis racquet . I would not recommend it for beginners or lower-level intermediate players.

Other Sellers: Amazon.com

Read our Head Radical Review to find more beginner and intermediate-friendly racquets.

Head Prestige Tour Review

The Prestige Tour tennis racquet is a smaller version of the racquet with a more open string pattern. It’s great for high-level players who want more spin and a smaller frame.

Head Prestige Tour Racquet Specifications

• Weight: 11.7 oz. strung
• Head Size: 95 square inches
• Balance: 325 mm
• String Pattern: 16×19

The head size of the Prestige Tour makes it easier to handle than the Pro version. However, there is a smaller sweet spot on this racquet so I don’t recommend it for people who don’t play frequently.

The open string pattern helps add power and spin potential. Similar to the Pro version, the weight of the Prestige Tour helps with stability.

On-Court Performance Review of the Prestige Tour

The Prestige Tour is a great classic racquet for advanced players.

• On groundstrokes, this racquet is stable and has good spin. You’ll move the ball around the court easily, but this frame isn’t as forgiving as other models.
• On volleys, the Prestige Tour will be easy to handle and stable at the net. Doubles players who like to play from the net will love this racquet.
• On returns, you will be able to control power and spin serves with this racquet, but you may struggle to hit deep in the court.
• On serves, you will find a good combination of power, control, and spin depending on how you string the racquet. A looser tension will help add power.

Head Prestige MP L Review

The Prestige MP L is great for both intermediate and advanced players who want more control in their game.

Head Prestige MP L Racquet Specifications

• Weight: 11.2 oz. strung
• Head Size: 99 square inches

The Head Prestige MP L is for Intermediate & Advanced Skill Levels

The Prestige MP L is a great tennis racquet for high level intermediate and advanced players who want something a bit easier to handle.

The 99 square inch frame gives this racquet a larger sweet spot. The balance point is moved slightly towards the head to add stability as well. Players who swing fast and freely will get the most out of this racquet.

The Prestige MP L is great for intermediate and advanced players who need a more forgiving racquet with good handling and excellent feel plus control.

This racquet won’t be great for players who need help with power. For that, I’d recommend reading our Head Extreme Review .

On-Court Performance Review of the Prestige MP L

The Prestige MP L is a well balanced racquet with a slight focus on feel and control.

• On groundstrokes, this racquet is forgiving, stable, and has decent spin potential. You’ll move the ball around the court with ease, but won’t generate a ton of power.
• On volleys, the Prestige MP L is easy to handle with great feel. You’ll have good touch and placement on volleys.
• On returns, this racquet offers a generous sweet spot so you can take big swings. You’ll also be able to defend against hard serves.
• On serves, you won’t find a ton of power, but should feel confident to hit your targets with spin and accuracy.

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

The Best Alternatives to the Head Prestige

Below are 3 other tennis racquets similar to the Head Prestige that you may want to consider.

• Wilson Pro Staff – Another control-oriented, advanced tennis racquet, the Pro Staff has precise feel in a comfortable frame. It is also the racquet used by Roger Federer. It’s a bit more difficult to swing though.
• Wilson Blade – A widely-used racquet on the pro tour, the Wilson Blade will offer better power and spin than the Prestige. This is a better option for intermediate players or older adults.
• Babolat Pure Strike – The Pure Strike has more power than the Prestige and will have good feel from the baseline. It’s a great option for players who need a little more MPH.

My Experience Playing with the Head Prestige

I have played with several versions of the Prestige over the years because I love the classic feel they provide. I do think this is a good update, as the previous version was low-powered, even compared to most other control racquets. The new version does have a little more power without changing much else.

The Prestige is still one of the best racquets on the market for stability, control, and feel. It excels especially well at the net where control and feel are most important.

A slight increase in power also helped on the return, where this racquet is probably the weakest for me. The update helps handle big serves a little better, but is still not a shining point for this racquet.

This racquet is similar to the Wilson Pro Staff but with a bit more stability.

While I think the Prestige tennis racquet is a very formidable tennis racquet, I do still prefer my customized Yonex Vcore Pro (I have the 97HD version), which plays similarly but with a little more modern feel.

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.

FREE 20-page guide - Learn 3 doubles tactics to force errors and get more easy volleys! Download

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Posted by RacquetQuest

When we do the testing and “number taking” for our demo racquets, we try to think as the consumer may think and include comments that may help the consumer make the best decision.

We do not want to make these posts so dull that you go to sleep, but data is essential, so we are going to include it…so stay awake!

Data is particularly relevant to the Prestige Series from Head.

This review is for the Prestige Tour, and it points to the differences between Prestige racquets that may go unnoticed or misunderstood.

The Prestige Tour is a 99 (645 cm²)square inch racquet with an 18 x 19 string pattern. If you have read the post on the  Prestige MP , you may wonder, what’s the difference?

You may notice that the Prestige Tour has one (1) fewer cross string.  Not a big deal . You may see that the Prestige Tour has one (1) square inch larger head size. Also,  not a big deal.  What you may not notice is the Prestige Tour has an in-plane stiffness of 400, and the Prestige MP has an in-plane stiffness of 359.  That is a big deal!  Even with a bigger head and fewer strings, the Prestige Tour has a higher string bed stiffness than the Prestige MP. The higher the in-plane stiffness, the less the racquet will “bend” during impact.

The Prestige Tour is more stiff overall (62 v 58) than the Prestige MP, and the 21.5mm beam contributes to that stiffness.

So, take a look at the numbers for this racquet to see if you can find other exciting differences!

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Posted on January 21, 2020, in 360+ , Accuracy , Customization! , Demo , Distortion , head , Inspiration , Kinesiology , Patterns , PEEK , Racquet Demo , String , String Patterns , Technology , Tips . Bookmark the permalink . Leave a comment .

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Prestige means “widespread respect and admiration for someone or something, based on the perception of their quality.” High level tennis players associate the word with HEAD, the renowned racquet brand in Austria. The Prestige has been in the hands of the world’s best players since the late 1980s. The family of racquets require exquisite timing and outstanding stroke mechanics, but also rewards players with best in class precision and control.

As we enter 2020, HEAD updates the famous Prestige MP with Graphene 360+ technology and a completely new mold. For starters, they extend the size of the head to a “true” 98 square inches. The previous generation measured 95 square inches. The 18 x 20 string pattern remains, but the cross section is now a thinner 20 mm beam. I thoroughly enjoyed the Graphene Touch Prestige Tour, which was a more user-friendly approach to the franchise, and was excited to take the Graphene 360+ Prestige MP to the practice courts and give it a go.

Groundstrokes

HEAD gets caught between two opposing camps: the group that believes the Prestige MP is too difficult to play with, and the group that believes the Prestige MP was best the way it was made in 1987. With this new version, both camps have reason to be enthusiastic. From the back of the court, the change in flex and comfort is a huge positive. The MP restores the buttery feel from decades ago with a 61 RA rating. The ball seemed to dwell on the strings slightly longer, and with the larger head, there is easier access to spin. I do not know the science behind it, but it seems the sweet spot is taller, as opposed to only being in the very center of the string bed. The new Spiralfiber technology HEAD incorporates in the lower hoop tremendously improves the feel, flexibility, and power. Though the head size has increased, the racquet remains mobile in longer rallies due to the thinner 20 mm beam. I am also a fan of the more traditional head-light balance found in the MP. While the modern trend in performance racquets has been toward 3-4 points head light, the MP maintains a 7 points head light balance. With a racquet that weighs nearly 12 ounces when strung, this balance makes it amazingly easy to swing and steer from the baseline.

I absolutely loved the thinner beam when serving. For a racquet that is almost 12 ounces, it cuts through the air efficiently, and produces a surprising amount of power. The Prestige MP stabilized my contact point, provided me with plenty of spin, and also offered more comfort than in previous generations. When serving a lot with a heavy racquet, I am more than a little bit capable of shoulder fatigue. I am happy to report that it was easy hitting tons of serves with the Prestige MP with little to no fatigue to speak of.

Volleys & Overheads

This is where the thin beam meshes perfectly with the larger head size. I was able to dig out low volleys, and carve them with a touch of under spin. I was shocked at the amount of forgiveness the Prestige MP offered when I didn’t make perfect contact. I thought some of these volleys were headed straight into the net, but I was still able to put the ball in play. The head light balance makes the racquet feel nimble and easy to manipulate, which is ideal for competitive doubles players and serve-and-volley specialists.

Feel/Comfort

What should encourage long-time Prestige fans is the overall comfort, feel, and flex of the Prestige MP. When the ball hits the strings, the sensation is addictive and offers very little shock. Yes you will get plenty of shock absorption, but you will also get lots of feel for the ball. The MP is still very much a control racquet, and will not be as powerful as HEAD’s Instinct or Extreme racquets.

The new Graphene 360+ Prestige MP is the best of its kind in years. While traditionalists will cry about the racquet not being the old 95 square inch head, the reality is that even the professional game is shifting away from the midsize racquet. HEAD did an admirable job of keeping the legendary feel intact, while creating an easier-to-play, and more powerful racquet.

Note: Playtest racquet was strung with a HEAD Confidential string 17G @ 48 pounds.

About the Reviewer: Sam Jones currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Southwestern University, taught tennis for 10+ years and earned his USRSA Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active NTRP 5.0 League and Tournament player.

Copyright 2024 . Tennis Express ©

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Head Prestige MP 2021 Racquet Review

Since 1987, the Head Prestige line has been a favorite among skilled amateurs and professional players alike. The main technology update for the latest generation is Auxetic technology, a carbon-fiber construction in the throat of the racquet that actively adapts its structure based upon the contact point on the stringbed. The end result is greater feel and more accurate feedback. Another update is in the name. This Prestige MP 2021 was formerly called the Prestige Tour, and MP now refers to "Main Performance" rather than midplus. In regards to playability, the Prestige MP's swingweight increases from 326 to 334. Our playtesters found better plow through and pace redirection from the Prestige MP 2021 than they did from the Graphene 360+ model. Flat shots rip off the racquet with speed and maximum precision. Overall, the tech and spec updates received positive reviews from our playtesters, and this version of the new Prestige MP was difficult to put down. Our team would recommend the Prestige MP 2021 to advanced players who rely on beefier swingweights for stability and to complement their variety of flat, slice and topspin groundstrokes.

• Improved feel
• Pace redirection
• None we could agree on

Bottom Line

The Prince Vortex 310g's unique 14x21 string pattern and speedy maneuverability make it a true weapon for players looking to use spin as a key component in their game.

Groundstrokes - Score: 84

From the baseline, the Head Prestige MP 2021 was superb once our playtesters got used to the increased swingweight, with the 18x19 string pattern keeping the ball in the court effortlessly. Kristen took note of the Auxetic technology's performance, saying, "The racquet felt firm, but not jarring, and it no longer had the hollow, tinny nature I experienced with the previous model. I definitely needed a hitting session to get dialed into this racquet. Once I got used to the feel, though, it really started to shine. I really enjoyed the controllable power I could tap into, giving me the freedom to swing out and go for my targets. I had good pace on my shots, and it was easy to go back and forth between flatter shots and playing with more topspin. Additionally, as with the last two iterations I tested, slices felt great and stayed low over net."

The Prestige MP 2021 was up there with the best racquets of the year in this category for Andrew , and it helped him rediscover the beauty of an aggressive flat forehand. He said, "The Prestige MP playtest was one of my favorites from the baseline this year. Its 330+ swingweight and 18x19 string pattern offered a beautiful amount of power and control, as cliche as that sounds. I loved being able to take full swings with confidence, and flat aggressive forehands were by far my favorite and most effective shot during the playtest. The Auxetic technology provided a solid response from all areas of the racquet's face, so I knew exactly where I was making contact. I never felt any discomfort, which is usually a result of a racquet that provides this amount of response. Honestly, the Prestige MP 2021 complemented my baseline game so well that I am intrigued enough to continue hitting with it."

Finding the previous version to complement his counter-punching style, Mark noted, "I can happily report that my biggest transition to the 2021 Prestige MP was related to remembering its new name (Prestige MP 2021). Performance-wise, the switch was seamless. The 18x19 pattern does provide a low launch angle, but it was still easy to generate a tight topspin rotation on the ball. Dense patterns have always benefited my backhand slice, and that was definitely the case with Head's latest update to this frame."

Tiffani thought the increase in swingweight offered excellent drive, but she found it taxing over long hitting sessions and match play. She said, "I like the tighter string pattern and mid-60s flex, and the strung weight is doable for me. However, I would have preferred a slightly more head-light balance to get easier topspin. Dipping cross-court shots weren't in my repertoire with this racquet. I also liked to drive through the ball at mid-court because it was more difficult for me to brush up on the ball. It may not always be the highest percentage play, but I actually was hitting some winners off that shot. I thought the Prestige MP 2021 felt comfortable and stable. My only real issue from the baseline was being able to swing it effectively for more than an hour at a time. I just got tired using it."

Volleys - Score: 81

If there was a single word our team would use to describe the Head Prestige MP 2021 at net, it would be "solid." Mark described how this descriptor can be overstated, but he thought it was well deserved for the Prestige MP. He said, "The term 'solid' is one that is sometimes overly used when describing the feel of a tennis racquet, but it can be legitimately aimed at this 11.5-ounce masterpiece of control. Besides a solid feel around the net, the new Prestige MP was very predictable, and that combo rewarded me with a high percentage of quality volleys. The volley was my favorite shot to hit with this racquet."

Kristen agreed with Mark's comments on the racquet's stability on volleys, adding, "I thought the Prestige MP 2021 felt stable and performed in a very point-and-shoot manner, and I had no issues with timing when it came to reaction volleys under pressure."

Andrew and Tiffani enjoyed how well the Prestige MP performed when hitting overheads. Andrew explained, "The balance being less head light than my typical specifications took a little time to adjust to. Once I did, I had no issues generating depth or touch. Overheads were very fun. The extra swingweight provided more put-away power, while the iconic precision of the Prestige line easily kept the ball inside the lines."

"The mobility wasn't a big issue for me at net unless it was a body shot," Tiffani added. "I had trouble moving it quickly and found myself handcuffed in those situations. However, the racquet felt so stable and solid. It had enough mass to send the ball back with power, and I had no control issues. Being a shorter player, I'm more often than not facing a lob if I close the net hard, and I really liked how this Prestige MP 2021 came around for overheads. Once I got it moving, it plowed through the ball and gave that sensation of the ball pancaking on the strings. That was addicting!"

Serves - Score: 79

The Head Prestige MP 2021 serves well for strong hitters, but it does require strength from the user since the 3-points head-light balance and 334 swingweight can feel sluggish at times. Our playtesters had mixed opinions on the racquet's service performance. Surprisingly, Kristen found serves with this racquet to be comfortable and familiar right away. She said, "I was expecting to find this racquet taxing on serves since it felt a bit heavy on groundstrokes initially, but I was happy to discover that it swung comfortably overhead, and transitioning to this racquet for serves came pretty seamlessly. There was a slight crispness on serves that allowed me to feel well connected to the ball, resulting in high serve percentages. I could go for my spots with ease and get some nice pace behind my serves as well."

Tiffani and Andrew both thought the Prestige MP provided great power with the extra momentum from its swingweight and balance. Tiffani described, "I love how it feels to serve with heavier racquets. The trick is doing it repeatedly. I had to make sure to keep my racquet head speed up or else I was not getting them down into the court, or I just didn't have enough oomph to unlock the power. When I had better technique and swung with good speed, this Prestige MP came through with great power. Spin was difficult for me to generate consistently, but when I connected, I was hitting heavier serves than usual. My favorite serve to hit was out wide on the ad side."

Andrew added, "Serves did not feel as whippy as they do with my usual specifications, but I noticed my first serve had a higher amount of pace than normal. With the 18x19 pattern, I feel some spin was lost compared to racquets with a 16x19 string pattern, but the added control and pop made it worth it. Although the ball may not have been kicking as high as with more open patterns, my opponents' returns were coming back slower and more centered in the court due to the extra mass behind my serve. For second serves, I found myself utilizing the dense pattern and mass to hit slices, especially out wide on the deuce side."

When it comes to balance, Mark generally prefers racquets that are at least 4 points head light. He said, "For reasons I cannot really explain, other than that I prefer more of a head-light balance to my racquets, I struggled with my serve more than I would have expected. I do get a similar effect from stock Wilson Blade 98s and the Tecnifibre TFight 305 since they too feature balances that are closer to even. Some additional handle weight typically cures the issue."

Returns - Score: 82

There were some ups and downs on returns as well, but our playtesters all agreed that the Prestige MP could reliably redirect powerful serves. Flat returns, blocks and slices ripped off the frame with ease and screamed back to the opponent's baseline; however, returning high kicking serves or spin returns proved challenging. Andrew had high praise, saying, "As with groundstrokes, the Prestige MP is in my top three favorite racquets of the year for returning serves. I could put a lot of power into the ball and rely on the racquet's 18x19 pattern to provide the control needed to keep the ball inside the lines. This greatly improved my confidence and kept me from tightening up during a match. The ability of this racquet to redirect pace was absolutely insane. Big first serve redirections felt like I just hit an aggressive second serve slam, and stability felt way too good to have no customization added to the racquet head. I guess if I have to throw a complaint out there, and it's super minor, the maneuverability was just a bit slow when I was returning massive serves that required quick reactions."

Kristen also had plenty of positive feedback for the Prestige MP's returns. She said, "I loved returning with this racquet. I like to be able to swing out freely on returns, and the Prestige MP allowed me to do so with top precision. It felt stable and also offered a nice, controlled response when opting to block back (slice) heavier serves."

Like Kristen, Tiffani found pace redirection simple and effective, but she she had a difficult time putting spin on high kicking serves. She explained, "Once again, technique was key for me. I kept my swing short to make sure I got it around in time. I still felt confident enough to step in on second serves and hit attacking flat returns. The directional control was good enough for me to choose my spots as well. The stability was good for me, and I don't recall the racquet twisting in my hands at all. I did struggle going up against heavy spin serves that would get high out of my strike zone. It was difficult for me to flick the return with some spin, so I would often see those returns go long. However, the Prestige MP 2021 stood up to big flat serves just fine. It could absorb the pace and spit it right back."

Mark agreed about the difficulty in generating spin. He said, "This was the other part of the test where I was challenged more than I prefer to admit, and I will assign blame to my lack of adaptability to the 3-points head-light balance of the new Prestige MP. My usual half-volley return was pretty functional, but taking the topspin route was a chore."

Overall - Score: 84

Tiffani - "This Prestige MP 2021 is stable, comfortable and precise on my flatter shots. I also like the less rectangular grip shape."

Andrew - "The added swingweight and 18x19 pattern provides excellent playability out of the box. This is by far my favorite Prestige in a while. Composition updates (Graphene Inside and Auxetic) increase the response while still providing comfort, which makes this line of Head racquets the best feeling for me since Graphene was introduced. Also, I am highly satisfied with the clean and sleek cosmetic."

Kristen - "Controllable power, good weight coming through my serves yet manageable overhead, great feel on slice."

Mark - "This test helped reinforce my notion that swingweight plays a primary role in how a racquet feels and performs. We had two examples to test, and I far preferred the version featuring a mid-330s swingweight; the other example was in the 340s, which I struggled with. That said, the iteration I preferred felt solid no matter where the ball landed on the stringbed. I also like how easy it is to gauge shot depth and control points. Lastly, the burgundy cosmetic for all of the new Prestige frames is subtle and tasteful."

Tiffani - "It's not a knock on the Prestige MP 2021 per se, but I prefer the swingweight of the previous version. This racquet is taxing for me to use for an extended length of time."

Andrew - "The racquet can feel just a bit sluggish on highly paced swings, such as serves or fast volleys."

Kristen - "Not much to dislike."

Mark - "Main Performance? I have zero issue with the feel and performance of all the new Prestige racquets, but I am just a little vexed with the swapping of Prestige designations, plus the change in what MP actually means relative to this frame."

Comparing the racquet to others they've tried, our testers said:

Tiffani - "I have a more classic game style, and I feel like this Prestige MP 2021 fits it well. This 2021 version swings with more heft than the previous Graphene 360+ model, which was then called the Prestige Tour. The Prince Phantom 100P is more flexible and has a more open string pattern, but it has a classic box-beam shape that, in my mind, gives it a similar feel through the air. I also might look at the Babolat Pure Strike 18x20 3rd Gen or Wilson Blade 98 18x20 v8."

Andrew - "The stock 330+ swingweight and 18x19 pattern have an addicting playability that made the Prestige MP 2021 difficult to put away. In comparison to the Graphene 360+ Head Prestige Tour, expect a slight adjustment period to get used to the increased swingweight along with the heightened feel and response from the new composition of Graphene Inside and Auxetic technology. To compare with other racquets, these specifications are somewhat uncommon, but it strongly reminds me of Medvedev's Tecnifibre TFight 305 RS."

Kristen - "The Head Prestige MP swung a bit heavier through the air than past models, but the offset was that it felt solid and stable on contact versus the hollowish feel that I noticed with the last model. This was my favorite Prestige playtest to date, and the Prestige MP 2021 is a racquet I'm going to keep hitting with!"

Mark - "After playing 20 hours or so with the Prestige MP 2021 , I would compare it to the Yonex VCORE 95 and, to a lesser extent, the Dunlop CX 200 Tour and the Prince Synergy 98, but those racquets exhibit more of a head-light balance."

Playtester Profiles

Andrew: 4.0 level all court player with a semi-western grip on the forehand and hits a two-handed backhand. Currently playing with the Yonex VCORE 98.

Kristen: 5.0 level player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. Kristen currently plays with a Prince Textreme Tour 100P.

Mark: Lefty all-court player with a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Yonex EZONE 98+.

Tiffani: 4.0 level baseliner with a semi-western grip on the forehand and hits a two-handed backhand. Currently playing with the Prince Textreme Tour 100P (2015).

Review date: December 2021. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. All content copyright 2021 Tennis Warehouse.

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HEAD Prestige TOUR Tennis Racquet

Description.

The updated PRESTIGE TOUR TENNIS RACQUET, with the innovative new Auxetic construction, allows the technical tour player to compete with modern precision.

Product Information

Stringing instructions.

Technologies

Auxetic Auxetic constructions show a unique deformation compared to non-Auxetic constructions. Due to their internal properties, Auxetic constructions widen when a “pull” force is applied and contract when squeezed. The bigger the applied force, the bigger the Auxetic reaction.

Elongated Shaft Elongated shaft for classic flex and feel appreciated on Tour since 1987

Box Beam The box beam cross-section stabilizes the frame for maximum control.

Full Cap Full cap for signature impact feel and unmistakable sound.

Head Prestige Tour 2021 Racquet Review

With a lifespan beginning in the late 1980s, there's no doubt that the Prestige line of racquets is a staple in the tennis world. Thanks to its heavy focus on control and precision, the Prestige has been an all-time favorite for skilled amateurs and professional players alike. With this generation of the Prestige Tour 2021 (previously Prestige Pro), Head has successfully maintained familiar playability while advancing the overall feel. Head attributes this feat to the Auxetic technology located in the yoke. It's a uniquely flexible construction designed to optimize ball feedback on all areas of the stringbed. Our global team of playtesters felt that Head somehow took an excellent racquet and made it feel even better with this update. Heavy hitters will appreciate the slight swingweight increase in stock form for improved stability, while the 95-square-inch headsize provides top-notch precision for easy angles. Overall, this is a true player's racquet for skilled players, and our testers recommend giving this beast of a racquet a demo.

• None they could agree on

Groundstrokes - Score: 85

The Head Prestige Tour 2021's stability and feedback improvements shine from the baseline. Our playtesters vary on their ideal specification setups, but everyone was impressed by the racquet's excellent control and solid feel. Starting with our US team, Chris said, "The Prestige Tour 2021 felt rock solid from the baseline. I loved the plow-through power; I was able to get enough pace on the ball to put points away, even though this is a very control-oriented racquet. My backhand slice felt fully dialed in. All I had to do was think about what I wanted to do with my shot, and the racquet would make it happen. I also found this racquet to work well on my topspin shots. I was surprised at how easy it was to whip the racquet around the ball for a topspin angle, especially considering the swingweight. For whatever reason, the racquet hid its weight well, cut through the air with ease, and I could accelerate it through the ball. Just like all of the other Prestige releases, this racquet had great feel at contact. The response was smooth, plush and comfortable, yet it had me feeling very connected to the ball. In other words, it was very Prestige-like."

Even though Michelle came into this playtest with sky-high expectations, the Prestige Tour still impressed her. She described, "I considered the Prestige Pro to be one of my favorite racquets, so I didn't think Head would be able to top it, yet somehow they did with this Prestige Tour 2021. The name change was probably the toughest part of this playtest. The racquet held up to pace and was so stable against big hitters, but also perfect when transitioning from offense to defense and back to offense again. I was shocked by how large the 95-square-inch racquet felt and how consistent the stringbed played. I could consistently hit deep and push my opponents back, and I could access spin if and when needed. Slices were impressive as well; whether I was really knifing the ball or going for more finesse, this racquet executed those shots well. One other thing I noted was that I felt I could move balls around the court really well, so my targeting felt more intentional rather than just reactive. I will also add that I think it is imperative to utilize our MRT matching service when purchasing more than one Prestige Tour 2021. I know a couple of our hitters varied slightly, and I gravitated toward one in particular, so I wanted to be sure they matched the more I spent time on this playtest."

Our playtesters at Tennis Only in Australia also felt they could take on full swings and maintain superb levels of control. James found the Prestige Tour to complement one shot in particular. He said, "If I could choose a different racquet for each stroke, this Prestige Tour would be my pick for the backhand. The Prestige feels right at home for me since I've played with previous iterations of this model. It shines on my backhand with unrivaled targeting and accuracy. If you hit through your groundstrokes with a full, fast swing, you will love this racquet at the baseline." Jaye continued, "When I was feeling on and playing with confidence, I was able to step on the gas and hit my groundstrokes well; however, I would have liked a little bit more forgiveness."

At Tennis Warehouse Europe, Cathrin and Anna-Lena also noted the Prestige Tour's excellent precision. However, they both had to make adjustments coming from their racquets of choice, which are lighter and have a larger headsize. Cathrin explained, "Once I got used to the Prestige Tour, I noticed the precision it added to my groundstrokes, especially when I was able to match my opponent's pace. That said, I had problems generating pace and spin with the Prestige on my own. Therefore, I personally would string the racquet with a softer string and lower tension." Anna-Lena added, "I felt really confident hitting the ball. I was able to generate a lot of pace with ease. I felt like I was hitting my targets really well. For me, the racquet is not so spin-friendly. I had to get below the ball and really whip my wrist to make sure to get the needed spin."

Volleys - Score: 85

True to its lineage, the Head Prestige Tour 2021 is well suited for volleys. The smaller headsize and beefier swingweight combined to offer precision and stability at net. Finding it difficult to put the racquet down, Michelle described, "The Prestige Tour was amazing to volley with. It was so stable yet still easy to get in place. I never felt stuck, even against big hitters or when closing tight in doubles. This was one of those point-and-shoot racquets we like to talk about; it does what you ask it to do. I could block volleys deep or drop volleys short. I have to admit I loved this playtest. I had this racquet in my hands for the majority of the past couple months, which means I logged some good hours playing doubles, and I have no complaints with this racquet from the net."

Cathrin also had no issues and found the volley her favorite aspect of the playtest. She said, "I love playing volleys with this racquet because it is very stable, yet still maneuverable, so it was easy to block the balls. I also had great precision."

Chris and Jaye discovered that the racquet's mass enabled them to hit punching volleys with penetrating drive. Chris said, "I was very impressed with the Prestige Tour 2021 at net. I loved the feel I had for hitting touch volleys. Not only did the racquet allow me to feel the ball, but the solid response also allowed me to relax my grip and find my targets with accuracy. I could put the mass of the racquet to work when punching volleys deep. I volleyed very well with this racquet, always feeling confident no matter if I was playing singles or doubles." Jaye added, "The Prestige is very point and shoot. I loved the precision I was able to get on my volleys, and I had enough mass and control to pinpoint where my shots needed to go."

Serves - Score: 82

With control-oriented specifications, better feedback and a heftier swingweight, the Prestige Tour 2021 impressed our playtesters when serving. Flat serves tended to be the most effective for our team. Anna-Lena explained, "My serves were great when hitting the ball in the sweetspot. My favorite serves with this racquet were big, flat first serves. I was able to generate solid pace easily." Cathrin had a similar experience, adding, "I was missing the spin that I get from racquets with a more open string pattern, but the control and the precision were good on flat serves."

On the other hand, Michelle had more success hitting spin serves. She said, "I loved serving with the Prestige Tour. It allowed me to feel confident and in command. I could hit big, flat first serves, and targeting was easy. Getting the ball to slide off the court with slice serves was solid. Even generating kick was simple, which really surprised me with the racquet's 95-square-inch head. I have to be honest, with this racquet in my hands, I did not want to hit many second serves, and I felt like my bigger serves were more effective. Plus, with the added confidence, I felt I was making more serves as well. I definitely was starting the point in an offensive position with the Prestige Tour 2021 in hand."

Chris put the racquet's hefty specs to good use on serve. He said, "With a beefy racquet, the serve is quite often my favorite shot, and that trend rang true with the Prestige Tour 2021. When I got the mass of this racquet through the ball I was rewarded with a nice, heavy serve and solid pace. Unlike some heavy racquets, this one never felt tough to maneuver, and I was able to brush the ball to get plenty of spin. My favorite serves to hit were heavy slices either moving away from the returner or moving into the body. The response from the racquet felt very consistent, which gave me the confidence to go for the corners and hit big."

James and Jaye found their emphasis to be on precision rather than power when it came to serving with the Prestige Tour 2021. Jaye said, "My serving was great when hitting the ball in the sweetspot. I didn't get a massive amount of pop compared to a more open-pattern racquet; however, I was happy to sacrifice this in the name of precision." James added, "It's missing the pop and spin you get from some of the more modern options out there, but it still offers a great amount of control that lets me hit my serves with full confidence."

Returns - Score: 83

The Head Prestige Tour 2021's winning combination of stability, maneuverability and precision simply wowed our playtesters on returns. Like many players, James likes to customize his racquets to achieve his desired stability, but that won't be necessary with this Prestige Tour. He said, "The Prestige is very stable and precise on return of serve in its stock form."

Michelle continued the praise, saying, "As you read this, I wish you could see my smile when returning with the Prestige Tour 2021 — it was near perfect! It's so stable, with just the right amount of plow-through, and it's still maneuverable enough that I felt I could swing out. Blocking back serves was simple, because if I got the racquet in position, it seemed like the racquet did the work for me and helped get the ball back deep. If I had a serve I could attack, the ball came off the stringbed in a precise fashion and allowed me to hit my targets with force. As mentioned, I played a significant amount of doubles with this racquet throughout the playtest and even was successful with angling returns short or dipping balls aggressively at the server's feet. Returns through the alley and down the line past the net player in doubles were quite effective as well since they were coming at high speeds. This is such a great returning racquet!"

Chris appreciated how solid the Prestige Tour felt on returns. He said, "The racquet felt very comfortable and stable in my hands. I liked how I could relax, focus on what I wanted to do with my returns and trust the Prestige Tour 2021 would deliver. The solid response felt especially good on my slice returns; I could knife or float the ball with equal accuracy. Strung up with some Head Lynx Tour, the stringbed offered ample bite to help me generate spin. I was able to go for big returns without losing control."

Lastly, our European playtesters noted how easily the Prestige Tour blocked back pace on heavy serves. Anna-Lena described, "Hitting in the sweetspot, I was able to go for big returns cross court, which made it difficult for my opponent to defend and easy for me to attack the next hit. I really enjoyed it." Cathrin concluded the review, saying, "It was super easy to block big serves. This racquet was very stable and precise, but it was difficult for me to attack the second serve."

Overall - Score: 80

Chris - "Pretty much everything! The Prestige Tour 2021 feels solid and comfortable, it has great feel and swings fast for its weight. I also love the classic Prestige colors at the tip combined with the graphite look above the handle."

Michelle - "Stable, controlled power, solid feel, consistent stringbed. I love this racquet from all areas of the court."

Cathrin - "I enjoy the precision (especially in my volleys) and the control I get on flat shots."

Anna-Lena - "Very easy pace and precision."

James - "I absolutely love the precision and launch angle of the Prestige Tour 2021, especially on flat shots. The control is definitely a stand out, as well as the cosmetics."

Jaye - "Very easy control and precision. The feel is comfortable, soft and easy to play with. I would very happily train and practice with this racquet."

Chris - "No complaints other than the name change and the large 'P' decal on the side of the racquet."

Michelle - "None to report. I'm thinking of adding a leather grip so it has a similar feel in hand to my RF97."

Cathrin - "For me, it is too hard to generate power with this racquet, and the sweetspot is too small, so it doesn't help my game."

Anna-Lena - "The Prestige Tour 2021 is too heavy for me, and the sweetspot is too small."

James - "The reason I moved away from this racquet is because the shape and size of the head don't quite work with my full western forehand. I now play with a similar frame that has a slightly larger head and different shape, but that is the only real downside for my game."

Jaye - "I like to play with something that is going to help my game. I believe the Prestige is a great racquet for those who want to improve on themselves technically, but I would need some additional help for playing matches."

Comparing the racquet to others they've tried, our testers said:

Chris - "The previous version of this Head Prestige Tour 2021 (Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro) was a dynamite racquet and tough to beat, but somehow Head has done it. Not only do I think this is a solid update, but I can't think of a better playing beefy player's racquet right now. Even though I've moved to lighter spec racquets over the years, this Prestige Tour 2021 is very hard to put down. I'd demo this racquet against the Head Gravity Pro, Yonex VCORE PRO 97H, Volkl C10 Pro and Dunlop CX 200 Tour 16x19."

Michelle - "Honestly, the Prestige Tour 2021 just feels even more solid and stable than the model it replaces, the Graphene 360+ Prestige Pro. It's hard to pinpoint a huge difference, but maybe Head sprinkled in some extra magic. It is always easy to compare racquets like these to my Wilson Pro Staff RF97, and the biggest thing I noted was that the lower static weight kept it easy to maneuver no matter the swingweight. Despite the Prestige Tour's smaller headsize, it felt the same as the RF97. Both are solid, stable racquets with great plow through."

Cathrin - "I haven't played a comparable racquet before. Currently, I play with the Wilson Blade 98S v7, which differs from the Head Prestige Tour 2021 significantly on power and spin."

Anna-Lena - "I have not played with something comparable to the Head Prestige Tour 2021 . My racquet of choice is the Babolat Pure Drive. As I mentioned before, the Prestige Tour's weight and smaller sweetspot, compared to the Pure Drive, make it hard for me to play my game."

James - "This version of the Head Prestige has a much nicer feel to me than the previous Graphene Touch version I used to play with. It doesn't feel as crisp, which is a huge positive if you prefer a more plush and comfortable feel. All in all, this is a sublime update from Head with a very simple and classy paint job."

Jaye - "I think the Prestige Tour 2021 is similar to the Prestige Pro that it is replacing. Other racquets that come to mind are the Prince Textreme Tour 95, the Wilson Ultra Tour 95 and the Head Pro Tour 2.0."

(Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores)

Playtester Profiles

Chris: 4.5 all-court player currently using the Tecnifibre TF40 305. Chris uses a full-western forehand grip, has a fast swing style and hits a one-handed backhand.

Michelle: Open level baseline player with a semi-western forehand and a two handed backhand. She currently plays with the Wilson Pro Staff RF 97 Autograph.

Cathrin: is an all-court player. She is currently using the Wilson Blade 98S v7.

Anna-Leena: is an aggressive baseline player. She is currently using the Babolat Pure Drive.

James: An aggressive baseline player currently using the Yonex VCORE PRO 97 310. James uses a full-western forehand grip and hits a two-handed backhand.

Jaye: Open level aggressive baseliner with a semi-western forehand and a one handed backhand. He currently plays with a Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13.

Review date: December 2021. If you found this review interesting or have further questions or comments please contact us. All content copyright 2021 Tennis Warehouse.

HEAD Prestige Classic 2.0 Review

The Prestige Classic is back! Prestige fans rejoice. Here is our HEAD Prestige Classic 2.0 Review and man, it’s nice to see it again.

The Prestige Classic 600 is an icon among racquet aficionados. A racquet used by tennis legends like Goran Ivanisevic and Marat Safin , as well as tennis nerds worldwide. Sure, the 89.5 sq inch racquet head will be demanding in the modern, more spin and power-focused game of tennis, but it’s still such a joy to hit with this stick.

You can buy this racquet at Tennis Warehouse.

So far, I have only tested this racquet with a multifilament string, but that is really how it SHOULD be played. The excellent HEAD Velocity MLT 1.30 black and 1.25 natural. If you want a control-oriented multifilament string (arm-friendly!), HEAD Velocity is one of the best on the market. Maybe I will test it with a poly or a hybrid string setup later on, for a bit more spin potential. But talking about spin, you can actually swing this racquet head so fast thanks to the small head size, that spin is not hard to come by.

Specifications

Regarding the head size measurement, HEAD used to measure the frame from the outside, while other manufacturers did the inside. That is why 93 sq inches, is really more like 89.5 here. This changed when they moved over to Graphene racquets, but even the Radical Pro IG  edition, which is said to be 98, is more like a 95.

How does it play?

The racquet is butter on impact. On attack, you can whip up some aggressive shots and count on pinpoint precision from the small frame. There is little power here, but you can’t complain about control and feel.

It performs surprisingly well, still, so many years later, when you’re aggressive. But as soon as you need to get on the defense, that is when the head size and difficulty level of the racquet can be too punishing.

But playing with this racquet brings a smile to my face. It’s just fun! I won’t bring it into a tournament match, but for a warm-up or a fun hitting session with a buddy – why not?

How does it compare to the Prestige Classic 600?

The re-issue of the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 was great, but it did not quite have the plushness of the HEAD Pro Tour 630 . It played a bit stiffer, more like an old Radical MP. In the case of the Prestige Classic 2.0, I struggle to detect a difference from the original. It offers the same classic feel, not too soft, not too stiff. Kind of just perfect. Like the Wilson Pro Staff 85 . There is a reason those racquets still garner so much love.

If you love classic racquets, old school feel, or just want an icon to put on your wall. This is it. It’s a beauty in terms of design and playability. I talked to HEAD about the idea of bringing these legends back some years ago and I’m happy to see it happen. I’m sure I’m not alone!

Check out this racquet at Tennis Warehouse  alongside the new Prestige 2023 racquets .

Jonas Eriksson

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

Exploring Longer Racquets

Head prestige 2023 review, you may also like, wilson blade 100 review, why use heavier racquets, new prince phantom racquets, atp houston string tensions, tecnifibre tf-x1 v2, wilson blade 98 16/19 v9 review, the babolat pure drive celebrates 30 years, babolat pure strike 100 16/20 review, head boom pro 2024 review, head boom 2024.

The reason why I switched from prestige classic ( now playing prestige mid 360) was no built in vibration damping that caused in my case many minor injuries. Is the new prestige classic 2.0 a remake of an old one or includes some new technologies that helps avoiding injuries?

Thanks for this review. The Head Presstige Classic 600 is such a beauty. I learned tennis with it. Good to see it is back as a Prestige Classic 2.0. Regarding the Head Pro Tour 630, I actually like better the Pro Tour 2.0 than the original. I find the original way too soft while the re-release in 2020 is spot on ??

I understand what you mean by preferring the 2020 over the old one. The Pro Tour 630 is very flexible and tougher to use.

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Head Prestige MP 2021 Racket Review

With this updated version of the Prestige MP for 2021, Head has upped the forgiveness and power of their most iconic control focused model. The naming conventions of the Prestige lineup have changed a bit since the previous generation, with the MP now representing the previously named ‘Prestige Tour’. In this case, MP stands for Main Performance rather than Mid Plus (don’t worry we’re just as confused as you)! Whatever they call it, this version of the Prestige promises to be more dialled in and user friendly than previous versions. The improved feel, power and stability over the previous generation make the Head Prestige MP 2021 better suited to an aggressive baseline game style, without losing any of that classic feel or control.

Custom Fittings

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Groundstrokes

9 out of 10

Head has added more weight to the Prestige MP and upped the swing weight as a result. The idea here is to give the racket more plow through, helping players to get more power from their ground strokes.

This has the benefit of adding stability to the racket whilst reducing unwanted vibrations that previously lighter versions could sometimes suffer from.

To remedy this, Head has also added a new technology called Auxetic to the throat of the racket. This carbon fibre based material actively responds to the contact you make with the ball and where it is in the string bed.

Whilst the flexibility and plush feel of the Prestige line up has been a characteristic feature of the model, adding a bit more weight and dampening to the racket has taken it to the next level.

You can generate more power with this version of the Prestige, due to the uprated force that gets transferred into your shots. But Head has not lost sight of the Prestige’s main attraction and retained a great deal of control and feel thanks to their technological upgrades.

One thing that should be taken into account is that this is definitely a racket that suits an intermediate to advanced level player. This is the most performance focussed racket in the 2021 Prestige line up and should be given the respect it deserves.

You need to be timing the ball and striking it cleanly to get the most out of this racket. Despite the added power due to the extra weight, it is not the most forgiving racket in the world, so beginners should go for something with a bit more margin for error.

That being said, I really got on well with the Head Prestige MP. The extra swing weight gives the racket a more rounded appeal, making it more suited to a wider audience of modern players.

This may sound a bit counter intuitive given that adding more weight to the racket should make it harder to swing and therefore more difficult to play with.

However, the extra pop that you get from the stick means rather than the Prestige MP mainly appealing to all court players that want that classic feel for when they rush into the net, baseliners will also enjoy the updated racket.

The racket pockets the ball really nicely thanks to its relatively flexible frame and adaptive materials. You can feel the ball lingering on the string bed longer than with a stiffer frame, which gives you that classic Prestige plushness.

The combination of comfort, control and extra weight of shot makes this one of the best performance rackets out there today.

The added weight also makes the racket more accessible to a baseline player that wants to dominate with heavy ground strokes from the baseline but also feels comfortable transitioning to the net.

This type of player would appreciate the added weight and stability of the 2021 Prestige MP, as it allows them to hit heavier compared to previous versions.

Bear in mind though that the extra power you get from the Head Prestige MP is generated from yourself more than it is the racket. The added weight will enhance long, fast swings and give them more power and spin.

But, if you have a slower, more compact swing you’ll most likely think the racket is way too underpowered and unforgiving. This is why the racket is geared towards intermediate to advanced level players that want to improve their game.

Again, the 2021 Prestige MP and I got on really well and this is definitely a racket I would recommend to a player that wants to blend control and feel with stability and sledgehammer-like power. Sure, it takes a bit of getting used to due to the higher swing weight, but once you get dialled in it is an absolute joy to hit groundstrokes with.

8.5 out of 10

Volleys are another area that the Head Prestige MP does a great job of. You can place the ball exactly where you want it thanks to the sense of connection the racket gives you. The dense string pattern also adds to the control of the racket, again helping to dial in the precision.

The added weight does improve the stability of the Prestige MP. When you just want to redirect the ball with authority and get a solid volley past your opponent quickly, the racket feels reassuringly secure.

However, the downside of the higher swing weight is that the racket becomes a little less manoeuvrable than previous versions.

This is not so much of a problem if you are a confident net player that has great volley technique and is happy using the weight of the racket to redirect the ball.

But, if you are less of a strong volleyer that is seeking a bit more forgiveness from your racket and need something a little easier to swing, this version of the Head Prestige probably isn’t for you.

However, I enjoyed the crispness of the racket along with its ability to cushion and punch the ball well in equal measure. The weighty feel in the hand made it feel solid on contact and that gave me a lot more confidence when hitting through my volleys firmly.

On serve, the Head Prestige MP 2021 was a very accurate racket that also had a surprising amount of spin. The added weight gives you a lot more of a solid feel on contact, which is particularly satisfying on first serves.

The 18×19 string pattern also helps generate a fair amount of spin, helping you hit an all round heavier serve.

The Prestige MP’s precision is a real asset on serve. The ease of which I could find my serving targets was pretty impressive.

However, one area that the added weight could cause a problem is with tiring out your arm or shoulder. Even for an advanced player that has previously suffered from arm issues, this could be a bit of an issue when using this racket.

It is not a major drawback of the Prestige MP by any means, but definitely something to take into account. It is well worth testing this racket before going ahead and buying it, especially if you are not used to a racket with this kind of swing weight.

8 out of 10

The control oriented nature of the Head Prestige MP 2021 makes it a solid performer when returning serve.

You can block the ball back accurately in order to nullify a big serving opponent, whilst the spin potential and stability make adding a bit more weight to your shots rewarding.

The Prestige MP doesn’t give you much in the way of easy power when returning, so if you are used to a frame with a more forgiving sweet spot and more pop, this may take some adjustment.

That being said, when you time the ball right and connect well, the ball is sent down the other end of the court with power, precision and spin.

You definitely need to be timing the ball well to make the most of this racket, particularly when returning serve.

Whilst the additional weight makes the Prestige MP a little more demanding to swing quickly, it more than makes up for it in additional punch. Time the ball well and you’ll be returning like Novak !

Overall, the Head Prestige MP 2021 is a great control oriented racket that has been tailored to suit the modern game. The addition of a heftier swing weight and better damping technology gives the racket a more baseline friendly set up whilst still retaining the classic Prestige feel.

The reduced manoeuvrability and whippiness that the 2021 model has over previous generations may not be the best of updates for some players.

But, if you are a performance player that needs a racket that will give out what you put in, the Head Prestige MP is a solid choice.

It rewards faster strokes with heavier shots and the control and feel that the racket is famed for makes it a great companion up at the net.

This makes the Head Prestige MP a perfect choice for the aggressive baseliner that likes to finish points off at the net and wants to take their game to the next level!

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