Head Extreme MP (2020)
About the Brand
H EAD Sport GmbH is an American-Austria Sports Manufacturing Company.
In 1950, Head Sport GmbH was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, United States by aeronautical engineer Mr. Howard Head.
Mr. Howard Head was born on 31st July, 1914, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. And died on 3rd March 1991, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
Head GmbH is a group that includes several previously independent companies, including the original “Head Ski Company” (founded in the United States in 1950). Tyrolia, an Austrian ski equipment manufacturer; and Mares, an Italian manufacturer of diving equipment.
Head produces a wide range of products for skiing, snowboarding, swimming, tennis, and other racket sports. Head Ski Company produced one of the first successful metal-wood composite downhill skis, the Head Standard, and one of the first oversized metal tennis racquets.
In the late 1960s, a Tennis Division was created when Howard Head figured out a way of strengthening the Tennis Racquet by introducing the Aluminium frame.
In 1969, the idea became a success and was first introduced in the US Open.
In 1975, after Howard Head’s departure, one of the tennis players that Head sponsored, Arthur Ashe, won Wimbledon after defeating Jimmy Connors.
In 1987, Head started making athletic footwear and introduced the “Radial Tennis Shoes.”
In 1997, Head created the first titanium and graphite tennis racket. Over the next two years, Head acquired three more companies: Dacor, Blax, and Penn Racquet Sports.
Head also licenses its brand to makers of Clothing Apparel (including Shoes), Accessories, Bicycles, Skates, Watches, Balls, Fitness Equipment and Drinks.
In 2012, Head proved to be successful, with three major winners during the year: Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, Maria Sharapova at the French Open, and Andy Murray at the US Open.
In 2013, Head started integrating graphene into their rackets.
Head Sports GmbH officially sponsors some of the world’s leading tennis players like Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Ashleigh Barty, Bianca Andreescu, Coco Gauff, Diego Schwartzman, Fernando Verdasco, Goran Ivanišević, Karolína Muchová, Maria Sharapova, Marin Čilić, Marat Safin, Mark Philippoussis, Richard Gasquet, Steffi Graf, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Samantha Stosur, Sloane Stephens, Novak Djokovic and many more.
Description
The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP (2020) is a modern player’s racquet for today’s generation’s aggressive game. This racquet is made for players who want a racquet that provides extreme spin and power to their aggressive game.
The Graphene Extreme MP (2020) racquet is the choice of ATP players Richard Gasquet and Matteo Berrettini, WTA player Barbora Krejcikova, and many more.
The Head Extreme MP (2020) is the second generation of the Head Graphene 360+ Series. The Head Graphene 360+ Extreme MP (2020) series was launched on August 20, 2020.
It also features a reinforced spin shaft for greater torsional stability, along with the 360 Spin Grommets, which use larger funnel-shaped grommets to enable greater string movement and a brutal punch for the heavier ball rotation.
Compared to the previous version, this update has a slightly higher RA, giving it a slightly stable and powerful feel.
This new Head Extreme MP (2020) design identity has an eye-pleasing shade of grey on the hoop of the racquet and neon yellow on the shaft of the racquet, with the same neon yellow on the grip. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Specifications
| Head Size : 100 in² / 645.7 cm² |
| Length : 27 in / 68.58 cm |
| Strung Weight : 318 gm / 11.2 oz |
| Unstrung Weight : 300 gm / 10.6 oz |
| Balance : 13.18 in / 33.48 cm / 3 pts HL |
| Beam Width : 23mm / 26mm / 21mm |
| Swingweight : 325 |
| Stiffness : 66 |
| String Tension : 50 – 60 pounds |
| Composition : Graphene 360+/Graphite |
| Grip Type : Head Hydroabsorb Pro |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses |
Technology
Graphene 360+
GRAPHENE 360+ is the combination of HEAD’s signature Graphene 360 technology for optimized energy transfer and the innovative spiralfibers for enhanced flex and clean impact feel.
Spiral Fiber
Twisted fibers placed on the shoulder area accompany the frame in its deformation and provide greater flex and clean impact feeling.
Graphene in the head
Reduces frame deformation which enables better energy transfer.
Graphene in the Shaft
For optimized mass distribution which gives better maneuvrability and more power.
Pro Using or Used This Racquet
Overall Performance
Considering its weight, the graphene 360+ extreme MP (2020) provided decent control throughout the game. But this is not the most control-oriented racquet in the graphene 360+ extreme line-up.
If you are looking for the most control-oriented racquet in the graphene 360+ extreme series, then the graphene 360+ extreme tour is the best option for you.
Feel
This racquet has very plusher feel due to its head signature technology called Graphene 360+ which is optimized energy transfer and the innovative spiralfiber tech. placed on the shoulder area of the frame, which provides greater flex and a clean feel at impact.
The graphene 360+ Haed Extreme MP (2020) has a slightly softer, more comfortable, and more responsive feel compared to the previous version.
Groundstrokes
From the baseline, this updated Head Extreme MP (2020) offers great access to power and spin, making it a powerful racquet that encourages modern aggressive baseline players.
The blend of spin and power works really nicely when you’re hitting aggressively, especially when you’re using lots of topspin, which adds some extra kick on groundstrokes.
You can easily generate a great amount of spin and get depth so easily with this racquet, and you also get access to free power so easily with this racquet. Apart from that, it offers pretty much everything extra with power, spin, and feel from the back of the court.
Maneuverability
The graphene 360+ Head Extreme MP (2020) is slightly easier to swing or maneuver compared to the previous version, which means you will be able to get more racquet head speed, and it is easy to swing while on the run or slightly out of position as well.
Power
The Head Extreme series has already been known to offer plenty of power throughout the game, which adds some spice to the aggressive modern player’s game.
The ball jumps off the strings with ease. It is very easy to access lots of power from these extreme racquets.
100-square-inch head size combined with the Power Grommets (the enlarged Power Grommets maximise string movement for increased power).
Returns
The graphene 360+ Head Extreme MP (2020) is stable enough to absorb the heavy hitter’s serve, but the must-have control is not there, and this is an area where I struggled often. When I try to accelerate the swing of the racquet, which I usually do for an aggressive return, then it’s a bit hard for me to keep the ball under control.
On the other side, it does a great job when you get the low-pace second serve or slice serve, then you hit the defensive or attacking return to your aiming targets, putting your opponent under pressure.
Serves
For serve, this Head Extreme MP (2020) has enough mass to generate plenty of power to hit the huge flat serves loaded with spin. Players who like to hit a big first serve and access the free power will not find any lack in this racquet.
You can easily generate the great amount of spin and power needed for kick or slice serves.
This racquet doesn’t feel heavy with improved maneuverability so you can get back the racquet in position and swing the racquet head speed through the motion quickly. So literally, the serve feels quite nice.
More flexible feel than the previous version, Somehow serves feel forgiving on the arm, and you don’t worry about having a tired shoulder after hitting couple of serves.
Slices
Compared to the previous generation of slices, the graphene 360+ Head Extreme MP (2020) feels plusher, and the depth comes with ease.
As it’s strung balance which is around 3 pts head light and a swing weight of around 325 allows the racquet able to cut the ball with some extra spin.
Stability
Considering its unstrung weight, which is around 300 grams, this racquet feels quite solid and stable throughout a variety of shots. Of course, this is not the most stable racquet in the graphene 360+ extreme line-up.
If you want the most stable racquet, then the graphene 360+ Extreme Pro is an option for you. Due to its highest unstrung weight in the graphene 360+ Extreme Series, it offers you the maximum stability.
TopSpin
The Head Extreme Series is already known for offering plenty of spin on a variety of shots. It is very easy to generate topspin with this racquet. Eventually, this will not be the racquet with the most spin potential in the graphene 360+ extreme line-up.
If you want the most spin, then the graphene 360+ Extreme S is an option for you. By the way, that doesn’t mean Extreme MP doesn’t offer you the ultimate spin.
Volleys
The stability and feel you can get on volleys is great, considering its weight. This racquet does a decent job at the net, and it has enough mass so you can easily block the hard shots of your opponent and counterpunch the ball back deep.
The Head Extreme MP (2020) is pretty quick up at net, and you might not face any issues in terms of maneuverability to back the racquet into position quickly. Also, the feel of the stringbed is slightly updated, and I felt very connected to the ball.
Overall
The Graphene 360+ Head Extreme MP (2020) offers tremendous racquet head speed, providing loads of spin and pace on the groundstrokes.
The Head Extreme MP racquet is a significant improvement over the previous version.
The stability of the racquet, especially at the net, is quite impressive considering its weight.
Its improved feel and excellent maneuverability make it a comfortable racquet that can be adapted to a variety of play styles and ability levels.
Overall, the graphene 360+ Extreme MP (2020) has a nice blend of comfortable feel, power, and spin. This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
Percentage Chart
80%
Control
87%
Feel
84%
Groundstrokes
85%
Maneuverability
90%
Power
82%
Returns
85%
Serves
85%
Stability
86%
Slices
84%
Volleys
88%
Topspin
85%
Over-All
Like
- Power and Spin
- Stability
- Feel
Dislike
- Uncontrollable Power
Who's This Racquet For
If you prefer easy access to tremendous power with spin, and this is your top priority mainly from the back of the court, then you should go for this racquet. It will be a perfect option for you.
If you are suffering from any wrist or elbow injury or any kind of discomfort, then considering this extreme racquet or playing with it is a great option for you.
Who's This Racquet Not For
If you are a hard hitter always prefer the control oriented racquet with the perfect balanced of power and spin then this racquet will be a disappointment option for you. Overall, control of the racquet is a slightly a trade-off of graphene 360+ Extreme MP.
Those who are prefer smaller head size racquet or dense 18×20 string pattern which usually provide slightly low launch angle than the open string pattern so that’s why this racquet is not a great option for you.
This is a frame that is not slightly suitable for the players, especially for the ones who like to hit too flat.
We don’t find any major drawback in this Head Extreme MP 2020, Apart from the control cause extreme series are always better know for its extreme power and spin. Overall, definitely a noticeable improved version than the previous version.
(Other Head Extreme Variants)
Head Extreme Pro 2020
Head Extreme Pro 2020 is the heaviest unstrung weight racquet of the graphene 360+extreme line-up which is 15 gm more heavier than the extreme mp.
It is one of the most stable racquets compared to the other extreme 2020 racquets due to its heavier weight.
Those who want a more stable racquet than the Head Extreme MP 2020 have that option available.
This racquet is best suited for strong intermediate to advanced players.
| Specs | Extreme Pro |
|---|---|
|
Head Size |
100 in² / 645 cm² |
|
Length |
27 in. / 68.58 cm |
|
Unstrung Weight |
315 gm / 11.1 oz |
|
Beam Width |
23 mm / 26 mm / 21 mm |
|
Swing Weight |
325 |
|
Stiffness |
64 |
|
String Pattern |
16 x 19 |
Head Extreme Tour 2020
Head Extreme Tour 2020 is the smaller head size racquet of the graphene 360+ Extreme line-up, which is 2 sq. inches smaller than the Head Extreme MP 2020.
It has a slightly thinner beam width. It is one of the most control-oriented racquets compared to the other extreme 2020 racquets due to its smaller head size and thinner beam.
If you want the most control-oriented racquet in the extreme 2020 line-up, then that is the option available for you.
This racquet is best suited for intermediate to advanced players.
| Specs | Extreme Tour |
|---|---|
|
Head Size |
98 in² / 632.26 cm² |
|
Length |
27 in. / 68.58 cm |
|
Unstrung Weight |
305 gm / 10.8 oz |
|
Beam Width |
22 mm / 23 mm / 21 mm |
|
Swing Weight |
318 |
|
Stiffness |
65 |
|
String Pattern |
16 x 19 |
Head Extreme S 2020
Head Extreme S 2020 is the most larger head size and lightest weight racquet of the graphene 360+extreme line-up which is 5 sq. inch larger head size and 25gm lighter than the Head Extreme MP 2020.
It is one of the most powerful and easy to swing racquets due to its larger head size and lighter weight compared to the other extreme 2020 racquets. If you want the most powerful and easiest to maneuver racquet in the extreme 2020 line-up, then that is the option available for you.
This racquet is best suitable for beginner to just turn intermediate or elder players.
| Specs | Extreme S. |
|---|---|
|
Head Size |
105 in² / 677.42 cm² |
|
Length |
27 in. / 68.58 cm |
|
Unstrung Weight |
275 gm. / 9.7 oz |
|
Beam Width |
23 mm / 26 mm / 22 mm |
|
Swing Weight |
312 |
|
Stiffness |
66 |
|
String Pattern |
16 X 19 |
Note*
Selecting the perfect racquet for your suitable game style takes lot of research and time. Its really hard to find the perfect racquet for yourself cause every racquet has its own pros and cons.