| Head Size: | 98 sq. in. / 632 sq. cm. |
|---|---|
| Length: | 27.00 inches / 68.58 cm |
| Strung Weight: | 11.10 oz / 315 g |
| Balance: | 2pts HL |
| Swing Weight: | 330 |
| Beam Width: | 21.0mm |
|---|---|
| Tip/Shaft: | 21.0mm / 21.0mm |
| Composition: | LiquidMetal Titanium / Graphite and Piezzo Electric Fibers |
| Power Level: | Low |
| Stiffness: | 63 |
| String Pattern: | 18 Mains/20 Crosses |
|---|---|
| Main Skip: | 9T,8H,10H |
| String Tension: | 52-62 |
Can you get more from a racquet by taking something out? HEAD seems to think so with its latest line of Radical racquets. Called Flexpoint, the latest technology from HEAD features a "precisely engineered hole" at the 3 & 9 o'clock positions on the racquet head. Accompanying each hole is a dimple in the frame which reduces beam width by up to 25% (depth of the dimple varies depending on the beam width of the racquet model). Both the hole and the dimple are designed to make the racquet more flexible in the upper hoop. The theory being, that by having the racquet flex at the 3 & 9 positions, the racquet will cup the ball.
While a traditional racquet flexes from the tip down through the shaft, a Flexpoint racquet is designed to increase flex in the hoop. HEAD states that this increased flex and cupping of the ball results in a longer dwell time (duration of time the ball is in contact with the racquet) allowing the player greater control and more feel. HEAD also claims that the Flexpoint racquets result in more accurate hitting due to the cupping effect of the racquet. Few racquets are stiff enough to return to their original state before the ball leaves the strings, resulting in the racquet still being flexed and the ball coming off at a slight angle. HEAD claims that the sectionally flexible Flexpoint racquets significantly reduce the angle at which the ball leaves the strings, resulting in a more accurate hit.
Well, when someone offers us more feel, longer dwell time, more control and better direction on our shots, we say "sign us up!" Of course, first we'll want to put these principles through some solid testing and see for ourselves. So, with that in mind, we hit the courts for a month-long playtest of the new Flexpoint Radical Racquets from HEAD. Read on for the full-scoop, (or if you prefer, the 25% dimple).
Our entire team enjoyed the Flexpoint Radical Midplus off the ground. Finding a good fit for his groundstroke game was Josh. "The Flexpoint Radical Midplus felt very easy to use on groundstrokes. My forehands and backhands felt effortless and smooth. I was able to consistently hit deep and controlled shots from both sides of the baseline. Topspin was decent and my backhand slice felt comfortable as a defensive shot or as an approach shot. Surprisingly, I had more success against bigger hitters than moderate players. I had a tendency to over-hit when I had less pace to work with, and my shots were less controlled." After an initial adjustment Brad also found the Flexpoint Radical to be a good fit. "When I first started hitting with this racquet, I found myself getting out in front of the ball. However, once I got used to the weight and feel, I was able to place the ball where I wanted. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to generate enough spin with this racquet due to the smaller head size and tight string pattern, but I didn't find it an issue as long as I was prepared for the ball. I did find that off-center shots usually landed well short. On the flip side, shots that hit the sweet spot had good depth and pace. Also, I felt really comfortable hitting backhands with this racquet."
Both Chris and Don compared the Flexpoint Radical Midplus to its Liquidmetal predecessor. Chris said, "I noticed a subtle but discernable difference in the feel of the Flexpoint Radical Midplus compared to the Liquidmetal Radical Midplus. Shots hit slightly off center seemed to come off the stringbed of the Flexpoint with a little more zip and depth compared to the Liquidmetal racquet. I also noticed that I could maintain better control and pace when hitting off balance or when catching the ball a little too close to my body. Apart from that, the Flexpoint Radical Midplus offered the same excellent response from the baseline that I loved when hitting with the Liquidmetal Radical Midplus. Spin potential and power also felt very similar, but I did find more touch when hitting droppers with the Flexpoint. With more feel to it, I'd say the Flexpoint Radical Midplus is more string sensitive, too. By playing around with string and tension, I think there's even more performance to be had here, which is impressive stuff." Don offered, "the Flexpoint Radical Midplus swings and feels much like the Liquidmetal Radical, but with a little more feel. I'm not sure if this is due to Flexpoint or not. It also felt just a little more head-heavy (or less head light) than my recollection of the Liquidmetal Radical. This provided good stability, although I prefer a more head light balance. The dense string pattern still allowed for decent spin, and kept the stringbed from being too lively. Overall, it's a nice medium-weight control racquet and would favor players with a fast swing."
Don also found good stability, but would have preferred a more head light feel to the racquet. "The almost even-balance lends stability on volleys, although here again, I like a head-light racquet for quick net exchanges. Volleys were very solid but the racquet wasn't as maneuverable as I would like. Good touch and feel, especially considering the dense string pattern." Chris was very impressed with the Flexpoint Radical Midplus at net. "I found lots of feel and control at the net. There was a softer feel to the Flexpoint version of the Radical Midplus on the volley. The level of feel I found at net reminded me of a Prestige type feel and this is the first Radical I've found to offer that type of response. Again, I was very impressed by the performance of this one and thought it was a solid update."
While the amount of power and spin our team developed with the Flexpoint Radical Midplus on serve varied from player to player, everyone was serving with impressive consistency. Enjoying the feel of the 18/20 stringbed was Josh. "I liked the tighter string pattern of the Flexpoint Radical Midplus. The pattern seemed to compliment the 98 square-inch head size and my service game. My serves had a little extra pop and control, though my second serve didn't kick as much as with the Tour model. This racquet felt very similar to the Dunlop 200G on serve." Struggling to find his usual pace was Brad. "My serves were mediocre with this racquet. I felt like I was able to place them where I wanted, but didn't feel like I could get as much pace as I normally do. Again, spin was not an issue even with the tighter string pattern."
Don found his targets consistently when serving with the Flexpoint Radical Midplus. "I found adequate power but never felt like I could over-power my opponent. Instead, I focused on placement and enjoyed good success. Whether hitting down the middle or slicing out wide, the racquet provided solid control." Chris found a solid all around performance on serve with the Flexpoint Radical Midplus. "I found good access to spin, getting some good kick on topspin and slice serves. I also found decent pace when hitting flatter serves and was able to serve with solid consistency all around. The racquet felt easy to swing and I liked the feel and balance. I think there's enough room to add some weight to this one without losing much mobility, and perhaps gain more penetration with each type of serve."
The controlled response of the Flexpoint Radical Midplus gave our team plenty of options when it came to hitting returns of serve. Finding plenty of maneuverability from the racquet was Brad. "I found that the lighter weight of this racquet made it easier to get prepared for returns. However, when playing against those with bigger serves it would have been nice for this racquet to have a little more weight to it." Don found himself exploiting the controlled response of the racquet by mixing up his return game. "Similar to the Liquidmetal Radical, the Flexpoint Radical MP provides choices on serve returns. I could block back big serves effectively, thanks to the racquet's stability. Against most other serves, I could take some backswing. I found best results against second serves if I didn't swing too hard, but 'guided' the ball to my intended target."
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| Last Shots |
| Chris - I enjoyed this racquet, and feel it improves on an already very good racquet. Brad - Don't let the string pattern/head size fool you, this racquet packs plenty of spin. Don - Nice comfort and feel in a mid-weight racquet. Josh - Of the three racquets, I enjoyed the Flexpoint Radical Midplus the most. |