head pro tour 630 review

Head Pro Tour 2.0 Racquet Review

Although it is impossible to state which tennis racquet is the GOAT (greatest of all time), Head's Pro Tour 280 is likely on the shortlist of a great many players. Originally launched in the early '90s as part of Head's Trisys line, the Pro Tour 280 (630 in Europe) became a staple at the elite levels of the game. The most recent version of the Pro Tour 280 is called the Pro Tour 2.0 . Unlike the original Austrian-made Pro Tour 280, the 2.0 has CAP grommets, and the graphite layup lacks Twaron, a dampening aramid used by Head in the late '80s and '90s. According to our playtest team, this update also swings a tad easier than the original, and although it has its own distinct and compelling identity, the Pro Tour 2.0 doesn't forget its roots. With its dense string pattern, 20-mm beam and sub-100-square-inch head, the 2.0 gave our crew the surgical control and sublime ball feedback that has defined so many of Head's vintage player's racquets. Granted, with its 335 swingweight, this racquet can be challenging to swing, but for the advanced ball-striker who craves a rock-solid player's racquet with outstanding control and feel, the Head Pro Tour 2.0 is as good as it gets.

Nothing we could agree on

Bottom Line

This updated classic feels wonderfully solid at impact, and it drops the ball on a dime.

Groundstrokes - Score: 83

From the baseline, the Head Pro Tour 2.0 is everything you would expect a classic racquet with a pro tour pedigree to feel like: plush, precise and solid as a rock. It's safe to say that Chris , whose closet is overstuffed with vintage Head racquets, was extremely excited to try out this update and compare it to the original. He said, "I really enjoyed hitting this racquet off the ground. I found lots of plow-through power to help me drive the ball deep. The more I played with the Pro Tour 2.0, the more I got used to handling its weight and swingweight. The specs fall right at the upper end of my comfort zone, so there was some adjustment before I felt at home with the racquet. Once dialed in, I loved the control and feel I had on every shot. I felt very connected to the ball with this racquet. The Pro Tour 2.0 reminded me of Head classics. Hitting it side by side with an old Pro Tour 630, the biggest difference was this new Pro Tour 2.0 had a more manageable swingweight. While the feel was not identical, I still felt every bit in touch with my shots. I was placing my backhand slice on a dime. I was also able to hit a low, skidding slice that was tough for opponents to return. Flicking angles and lobs was easier with my regular racquet, but I got more drive and plow through from the Pro Tour 2.0. I had a lot of fun driving heavy shots down the line. The dense stringbed and classic feel gave me the confidence to swing big and aim for small targets."

Although this racquet isn't identical to the vaunted Pro Tour 280 used by some of the game's greatest legends, it does have a similar mold, and Mark simply couldn't ignore its history. He said, "Being that Guga Kuerten and Thomas Muster are two of my favorite players, I feel like I have to play well with Head's update to the classic 280/630 racquets. That said, every time Chris gave me a chance to play with one of the originals, I struggled with their high static and swingweight, so I was both nervous and excited to be brought into this playtest. Within a few baseline exchanges, I could tell that the new Pro Tour 2.0 was a little more tip-light than the earlier Austrian-made versions, and by the end of that first session my inner Muster was out. Shot power is not what I am known for, with ball placement being my predominant strategy, and the directional control I had with this stick was outstanding. As far as power goes, I have to say that the more I played with the Pro Tour 2.0, the more confident I became, and the velocity on my groundstrokes did increase without a drop in consistency."

Volleys - Score: 85

At net, the Pro Tour 2.0 delivered the considerable benefits of mass. Put simply, it doesn't get pushed around when the pace goes up. Needless to say, Mark appreciated what the stability did for his volleys. He explained, "Obviously, a lack of stability at net is not going to be a concern with a racquet weighing 12.2 ounces strung, but when paired with a 335 swingweight, maneuverability might be. Personally, the tip-light balance that Head assigned to the new Pro Tour 2.0 is such that I had no issue getting it into position on time, and its hefty swingweight helped keep most of my volleys flying straight and true."

Known for his crafty hands on court, Chris turned this solid and buttery-feeling masterpiece into a weapon at net. He said, "The Pro Tour 2.0 was a gem of a racquet at net. Rock-solid and loaded with feel, this racquet had me feeling in control of every volley. The stable response allowed me to relax and let the racquet do the work. I could punch volleys deep with pace, cut a short angle or hit a deft dropper almost at will. The only adjustment I had was on my overheads. The higher swingweight had me driving shots longer with this racquet until I got used to snapping it down faster to help spike my shots shorter in the court."

Serves - Score: 85

Our playtesters found that the Head Pro Tour 2.0 offered a controlled response and more weight behind their serves. While Chris was able to generate some pace on serve, he mostly relied on his slice on both first and second serves. He said, "I like serving with heftier racquets because they plow through the ball well and help me generate power. The weight of the Pro Tour 2.0 delivered lots of useful pace, and when I added spin, I was hitting some nice, heavy serves. My slice serve wide was working very well. I was able to add a lot of pace to that shot and get enough spin to make it drop inside the lines. The slice serve quickly became my favorite to hit with the racquet, and I mixed it in on both first and second serves with good results."

"I prefer racquets that weigh more than 320 grams on serve for easier access to pace on the ball," added Mark . "And I enjoy slightly lighter racquets (maybe 305 grams) from the baseline for the same reason: easier pace. Hence, there is usually some trade-off for me when it comes to racquet selection. That said, the Head Pro Tour 2.0 complemented my serve nicely. It did not add much in the way of velocity, but the pace I typically generate was effortless with this racquet, and as with my groundstrokes, directional control was great on serve."

Returns - Score: 80

As with the other strokes, the Pro Tour 2.0 was not without its challenges on returns, but Chris simply couldn't argue with the stability, precision and feel. He described, "When having to react quickly, it's not always possible to contact the ball perfectly, and it was on those less-than-perfect returns that I really appreciated the forgiving response of the Pro Tour 2.0. When I was better prepared and hitting cleanly, the racquet felt silky smooth. I felt confident hitting aggressively, using lots of pace and going for smaller targets. The heft of the racquet also made it perfect for redirecting the incoming pace of the serve."

For Mark , this stick felt solid and precise on his slice returns. He said, "Directional control (again) was top-notch from this racquet's heft and tight 18x20 pattern, and that made my backhand slice return one of my favorite shots to hit. On a related note, I liked this racquet enough to play with it more than once per day on a couple of occasions, and the first area of my game where it began to feel pretty heavy was on my return of serve."

Overall - Score: 86

Mark - "Head nailed this frame! This has been one of my favorite playtests, with the new Pro Tour 2.0 now becoming one of my favorite frames. Power-wise, I like that most of the energy return is coming from the Pro Tour 2.0's overall weight, which provides a predictable and comfortable response shot after shot. Lastly, I have to say that the switch to a CAP grommet was a good idea, and it helps protect the Pro Tour 2.0's (coolest ever) paint scheme."

Chris - "I love the classic feel of the Pro Tour 2.0. I've always been a fan of the feel of racquets with a full CAP grommet system. The response of this racquet reminds me of some of my favorite vintage Head offerings, such as the classic Prestiges and the Pro Tour 630. Comfort is fantastic due to the plush feel and hefty stability."

Chris - "While it has a lower swingweight than our vintage Pro Tour 630, I can see some players struggling with maneuverability. Having gotten used to lighter and faster-feeling racquets over the last 10-plus years, it took me some adjustment to get back in the groove with the Pro Tour 2.0 ."

Mark - "It did take a little while to get used to the broader Head pallet since I am accustomed to a more quadratic handle shape, but other than adding a leather grip, I do not think I would change a thing about this classic racquet."

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

Mark - "Head adds another high-quality example to that small group of heavyweight tennis racquets weighing north of 12 ounces. By virtue of its weight, but not its string pattern, we can compare this Head Pro Tour 2.0 to the Wilson Pro Staff RF97 Autograph and the Yonex VCORE Pro 97 (330). And by virtue of overall weight and string pattern, but not head size, both Prince Phantom 93Ps are comparable as well. However, it is the ProKennex Ki Q + Tour Pro (325) that shares the most traits with the Head Pro Tour 2.0 . Of these racquets, I am most challenged with the Pro Staff RF 97 and have the easiest time (and most fun) swinging the Phantoms and the new Pro Tour 2.0 ."

Chris - "I had a blast testing this racquet. Did I find it identical to the original? No. Just as impressive? Yes. I found a ton of classic feel in the Pro Tour 2.0 . The level of control and precision rivaled the original for me, so much so that the most noticeable change boiled down to the differences in swingweight. Our original Pro Tour 630 has been on a stringing machine many, many more times and hit with many, many more times, so the slightly softer, deader response would likely be due to racquet fatigue. Compared to current racquets, I'd compare this Head Pro Tour 2.0 to the Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Midplus, Prince Phantom 93P 18x20 and Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20. The current Prestige Midplus is the closest of the bunch since it shares that CAP grommet feel, but it is slightly more flexible and has a lower weight and swingweight."

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.

Mark: 5.0 lefty all-court player with a one-handed backhand. He currently plays with the Head Graphene 360+ Gravity Pro.

HEAD PT57A Review

A closer look a the head pro tour 630/280 pro stock racket. does it live up to its legendary status.

The HEAD Pro Tour 630/280 tennis racket was introduced in 1994 and is revered by many as the “holy grail” of tennis rackets.

Despite its age, the HEAD Pro Tour 630/280 is still in use by several elite tennis players today, most notably Andy Murray , who uses it under the pro stock racket code PT57A.

Pro Stock rackets, like the PT57A, are constructed from better-quality materials and usually strung with unique strings not offered to the general public.

They vary from the racket’s standard sale version in that they are often lighter (awaiting customisation, which makes them much heavier than retail rackets) and have a different balance point.

This enables elite athletes to customise their gear to suit their unique playing styles and preferences, which can significantly impact how well they perform on the court.

I was fortunate to get a Head PT57A in the Graphene Prestige MP paint and took it for a playtest. How did it perform?

Head PT57A Cosmetics

First of all, the racket looks fantastic. I like the paint job, and the racket’s colours matched well. The paint is high quality, as this was a racket made for a professional player.

Pro Stock rackets tend to use glossy paint to aid the appearance on TV, for example, the Wilson Blade V7 had a matte paint job for retail customers, but all tour players were using glossy paint, which looks better on camera.

Specification and Setup

Head pt57a playtest and review.

First Impressions

The Prestige tennis racket series has a classic feel with smaller head sizes and heavier weights designed to provide players optimal control and precision from all court parts.

Those characteristics fit the bill for me, and the PT57A strikes the perfect mix between the racket style I prefer while still possessing specs that apply to the modern game and one that can be enjoyed by quite a few different playing styles/levels.

Groundstrokes

The control that the PT57A offers is my favourite aspect of the racket. It gives the player control of groundstrokes by requiring good technique and accurate ball hitting to achieve a higher precision.

It works nicely from the baseline if you add enough spin for a little more margin for error. Forgiveness is low, but you are rewarded if you work hard to find the middle of the string bed.

Advanced baseliners typically favour the 18–20 string pattern on the PT57A because their technique allows them to produce power and spin without needing too much assistance from a more open string pattern (16 x 19).

Their racket should support them by giving them a sense of control and accuracy, provided by a denser string pattern. Also, you get a marginally longer string life, which doesn’t necessarily concern pros, but for higher-level club players, it’s beneficial.

You can see the PT57A in action below:

Rackets with higher control and manoeuvrability are more critical for the serve and volley player, and the PT57A Pro Stock racket is perfect for this game style.

Smaller head sizes and thinner frames are the best for serving and volleying because they provide more accuracy and feel, especially during volleys, and my experience with the PT57A was great.

Some more weight would have benefitted me on faster incoming balls, but the racket delivers crisp volleys, and you get a feel for where the ball will land.

I hit a few volleys with it in the video below:

This PT57A racket also served quite well. I was able to produce a lot of speed. I particularly loved the flat T serve with this racket. I had the impression that I could make an excellent fluid swing.

The racket gave me the feeling I was hitting my serve well, and I also thought I could put quite a bit of topspin on the ball with the kick serve when needed.

On return, the PT57A felt quick and manoeuvrable. I could access power to speed up and deepen my shots.

Since I could produce a lot of spin and the racket seemed solid on quick swings, I had the best results hitting spin returns.

The PT57A offers an exceptional feel from all parts of the court, especially at the net. I could strike with finesse and guide the ball accurately because I felt connected to the ball and confident in my approach.

Who is this Racket For?

The PT57A rackets are for advanced players who prefer feel, control and spin over free power.

If you’re an experienced player who enjoys feel from the stringbed, playing precisely, and being connected to your racket with each shot, then this racket is definitely for you.

Because of that, it’s no wonder elite players praise the PT57A Pro Stock racket, and it’s highly sought after on the aftermarket, with some rackets going for over $500.

However, there is no such thing as a one size fits all for tennis rackets. You must choose the best tennis racket for your style; not everyone should use the PT57A.

However, regardless of level, I do encourage everyone to, if at all possible, try a PT57A or a HEAD Pro Tour 630/280 to properly appreciate that great, “classical” feeling of the ball impacting the strings.

Few tennis rackets compare to the PT57A, and it is a joy to play with. Whether it helps you as a player depends on your overall technique and physical abilities. But irrespective, it will undoubtedly give you a fun-filled hitting session.

Can you buy the PT57A?

Yes, but not directly from the HEAD. Head did re-release a limited edition Head Pro Tour 2.0 in 2021, but they sold out.

So you’ll have to find it on the aftermarket; they sometimes crop up on eBay and sites like ProStockTennis , but they’re rare, and you’ll need to part with the best part of $500 / £500 for one in good condition.

Other than that, you are reliant on knowing someone who still uses the racket or has it in their collection and hoping they will let you borrow it!

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Final Thoughts

The Head PT57A has a terrific feel, swings quickly for its weight, and has a strong, comfortable feeling, regulated power, and stability.

From every part of the court, I enjoyed the racket. Whether hitting with spin or flattening out the ball, I liked the control and accuracy the PT57A provided me (mainly on my volleys).

While there are no universal specs for Pro Stock rackets, as they are heavily customised after manufacturing, I think the optimal weight for this racket is between 330 and 350 grams.

The PT57A I was using during this playtest was 315 grams unstrung, and I had the feeling I didn’t have enough power on some shots and it would be perfect if the racket were a bit heavier.

Overall, this is a true player’s racket for skilled players and will give you an incredible feeling when hitting the sweet spot. Try it if you can!

Not enough power on this particular PT57A (315g)

Power - 7.5

Control - 9, manoeuvrability - 8, stability - 9, comfort - 8.5, touch/feel - 8.5, serves - 8.5, groundstrokes - 8.8, slice - 8.3, volleys - 9, returns - 8.5.

A true player's racket for skilled players and will give you a great feeling when hitting the sweet spot. Try it if you can!

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Beyond the Playtest: Head Pro Tour 2.0 Tennis Racquet Review

The Head Pro Tour 2.0 is one of the most iconic racquet molds in the history of tennis. Originally released as the Pro Tour 280 in the USA (and Pro Tour 630 in Europe), this racquet has developed an almost mythical following amongst purists and professional tennis players. This updated racquet still retains that classic feel but has a few new characteristics. In this episode, we talk about what makes it different from the original and answer ALL your questions. We also dive deep into the playtest and let you know how it performed from all areas of the court. Spoiler alert: we loved it! Still have questions after listening?! No problem, we're happy to chat and talk all things tennis!

Shop US: https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/descpage-HDPT2.html

Shop EUR: http://www.tenniswarehouse-europe.com/descpage-HDPT2.html

Shop AUS: https://www.tennisonly.com.au/descpage-HDPT2.html

Happy Hitting!

Head Prestige Pro 2023 Racquet Review

Head prestige pro 2023 racquet.

If you're up for the challenge, get ready to slice up the court with the surgical precision of the Head Prestige Pro 2023 . Head has updated this latest generation with Auxetic 2 technology in the yoke and handle to add a bit more flex and optimize the feel. The 18x20 string pattern and thin 20-mm box beam ensure the control players expect from this racquet. The 7-points head-light balance makes it very maneuverable, and the Graphene 360+ technology adds stability. Our playtesters all appreciated the new Prestige Pro's control, plush feel and great touch. However, all did agree that this racquet could use a bit more power. If you are an advanced player looking for a racquet with plenty of control, this Prestige Pro may be for you!

Good control Excellent touch Plush feel

Lack of power

Final Verdict

Groundstrokes: 8.3.

Our playtesters were impressed with the amount of control and precision they got from the Head Prestige Pro 2023 from the baseline. Chris enjoyed the control on his topspin shots. He said, "I definitely found a groove with the Prestige Pro 2023 during our month-long test. The more I played with this racquet the more I appreciated the control it offered. I found I could swing very aggressively and add more loop to my topspin shots while still staying well within the lines. I was very happy with my topspin angle shots, finding I could hit a short angle with good pace. I found enough maneuverability on defensive shots to still be able to generate some racquet head speed to hit deep. I also had fun hitting drop shots with this racquet because it offered excellent touch."

Hitting from the baseline was a highlight for Mark throughout this playtest. He said, "As much as I enjoy the new Auxetic 2.0 Prestige Pro in any on-court situation, trading groundstrokes from the baseline was my favorite part of the playtest. The static weight and swingweight combination translated to stability against heavy pace, while its tip-light balance and forgiving layup of graphite made it easier to return shots. When paired with an edgy polyester like Head Lynx Tour, this racquet let me develop lots of effective spin, along with a higher launch angle for good net clearance."

Troy wasn't expecting the Prestige Pro to feel as stable as it did, but he certainly wasn't complaining. He described, "As I expected, having tested the previous version, I noticed a very high level of comfort and control, and that elite level of feel that comes from a thin beam (20-mm straight) frame like this Head Prestige Pro 2023. The flexibility of this racquet was evident from the very first hitting session, creating a very plush and comfortable feel, but I was more surprised by how stable it felt for being such a flexible frame. When facing hard hitters, I found a stable response from this Prestige Pro 2023. It also packed enough mass and plow through to help redirect the ball with ease. When striking the ball from the baseline, the Prestige Pro 2023 felt low powered and had a relatively low launch angle, but this was something that I appreciated as I hit with it more."

This Prestige Pro took a little time for Michelle to get used to. She said, "I don't think I was on the playtest for the previous version of this racquet, but 2023 is the year of 18x20s for me! As the test went on, I felt more and more connected to this racquet, and there were some standout features. First things first; this is a flexible and soft racquet. For me, pairing a low flex with a tight string pattern and a small head is tough. I think for complete success, I would need to change one of those three characteristics. The Prestige Pro 2023 felt silky smooth, but the sweetspot was a bit demanding. I noted a tiny lack of plow through at times, and I was craving just a tad more mass behind the ball to get the racquet thumping through the ball because I don’t have a whippy stroke. Aside from that, I can see why a lot of players will love this racquet; it has great control, feel and predictability. I know my peers who have been playing tennis since the '90s will love it."

Volleys: 8.5

The touch at net was a standout feature of the Head Prestige Pro 2023 for our team. Hitting drop volleys and angles at the net was one of Troy's favorite parts of this playtest. He said, "Like I noticed on groundstrokes, the feel was ultra smooth, plush and comfortable when hitting my volleys. I liked the feel of this racquet in my hand. The weight and balance offered a nice feel for that initial moment of inertia. There was enough mass built into the frame to provide a good amount of stability, and it also felt relatively maneuverable and head light. There was plenty of control and feel, which had me wanting to hit more drop volleys and use the short angles of the court. Power isn't this racquet's strong suit, but there was enough mass in the hoop for me to feel confident when I wanted to stick my volleys deep in the court. When I needed to, I could easily place the ball deep, and the dense 18x20 pattern helped me keep the ball skidding low off the bounce."

"The control and feel I had on my volleys with the Prestige Pro 2023 made it an excellent option for hitting with touch," Chris added. "When goofing around and hitting drop volleys, I had more instances of getting the ball to spin back over to my side of the net with this racquet than I can remember with any other racquet. I had way too much fun hitting low-percentage touch shots with this racquet to stick to smart percentage tennis. When I did punch volleys deep, I found excellent control, which allowed me to go for the lines. I liked the combination of a head-light balance for maneuverability with just enough mass to help with stability."

Control was a key takeaway for Mark . He said, "Although plushness was my main impression of the Prestige Pro 2023 at net, this racquet also felt very predictable. Absorbing passing shot pace was pretty easy, and the directional control of my volleys was outstanding."

While it isn't her preferred spec, Michelle found the Prestige Pro 2023 easy to use at the net. She explained, "This racquet was very maneuverable, and it was easy to hit good volleys with it — loads of touch to boot! Again, I do like a firmer feel, but I can appreciate and respect the touch and feel of this racquet."

Serves: 8.2

Our playtesters all agreed that the Head Prestige Pro 2023 really delivered accuracy on their serves. Mark was particularly pleased here, saying, "I loved serving with this racquet! Since its name changed from MP to Prestige Pro, along with the increase in head size (95 to 98 square inches), my serve has been more fun to deliver and more difficult for my opponents to deal with."

Chris liked the accuracy and spin he achieved with this racquet. He said, "I served well with the Prestige Pro 2023, but I was a little down on pace compared to other racquets I've been hitting recently, such as my Head Speed Pro, the Prestige Tour 2023 and the Prestige Classic 2.0. I found control to be excellent, which resulted in a high level of consistency. I found spin pretty easy to generate since I could accelerate the racquet head with little effort. The control and spin I got on my serves allowed me to pick my spots and serve with lots of variety."

The accuracy Troy got on his serves impressed him. He noted, "Pinpoint precision really sums up this racquet on serves. As the story goes so far, there wasn't any turbo boost in power with this racquet. I found it to be mostly about control and precision. That said, for those who can generate pace on their serves, this racquet does help to get that heaviness on the ball with a solid amount of mass behind it. On my flat serves, I found I could pancake the ball with a lot of plow through from this Prestige Pro 2023, and although the power didn't necessarily come easily, I was rewarded with good ball speed. I struggled a bit initially on my slice and kick serves, and I wasn't getting the bite on the ball that I do with the Wilson Ultra Pro 16x19 v4. After a few sessions, I felt more comfortable generating spin on my serves, but it took more effort and focus to be as effective as I am with my more open string patterned racquets."

Michelle had a good time serving with the Prestige Pro, but she found certain aspects challenging. She said, "I enjoyed serving with this racquet, but I’ve been finding more success with racquets that offer a tad more power. I noted some issues with net clearance when I was tired or not intentional enough with getting the ball up and over the net. First serves were nice, but not as powerful as some of the other racquets I've been hitting."

Our team appreciated the control and stability they achieved when returning serves with the Head Prestige Pro 2023 . Chris enjoyed getting creative with his returns. He explained, "I had fun with the Prestige Pro 2023 on returns. I found enough mass for stability against bigger serves yet still found the racquet easy to position. I felt just as confident hitting angled returns as I did driving the ball deep. My slice returns were working well, and I had fun cutting a low skidding angle return off either wing to pull the server out of position."

The return of serve is where Michelle thought this racquet excelled. She said, "The Prestige Pro benefited my return because it's so controlled and precise. It allowed me to be confident taking big swings. While the flex was low, it wasn't too noodle-y. The Prestige Pro 2023 was stable and fast through the air. It was fun going for small targets with lots of speed."

Troy appreciated the plush feel when returning serves with the Prestige Pro. He said, “Similar to when I was hitting against hard-hitting baseliners, I liked how the mass of this racquet helped me easily redirect the ball when I was returning serves. When I needed to keep it simple and block the ball back deep, this racquet allowed me to do so effectively. Against high-speed serves, I enjoyed how smooth and comfortable this racquet felt on contact. It allowed me to attack the serve with confidence without worrying about that jarring feeling I get sometimes from stiff racquets. The low power and high control of this Head Prestige Pro 2023 made it fun to go for big rips on my forehand return without fear of hitting long. I might add a little weight up in the hoop to help with power, not that it really needs more weight, but I think a little boost in power and depth could help."

With the Prestige Pro in his hands, Mark was able to attack slower serves with confidence. He described, "If the serve speed was medium to high, I relied more on my half volley style of return, which worked great. Anything slower, and I was consistently taking a more aggressive topspin cut on my return of serve."

Breakdown Summary

Tennis warehouse university lab data, playtester thoughts.

While the specs and playability make it easy enough to switch between this racquet and the previous version of the Head Prestige Pro, I found a better fit for my game with this update. I felt more at home on pretty much every shot, which led to more confidence in my tennis. For other racquets to demo against the Head Prestige Pro 2023 , I'd suggest the Tecnifibre TF40 18x20, Prince Phantom 100X 18x20, Dunlop CX200 Tour 18x20, Yonex Percept 97D and ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325. All of these racquets feature dense, control-oriented stringbeds, control beam designs and lots of feel.

The Prestige Pro 2023 is a super fun racquet to play with since the specs are very well suited to me. I love the overall response of this racquet. It is easy to hit with spin, consistency and accuracy. The feel on drop shots is excellent.

The Prestige Pro 2023 is a smidge down on power on serves, and it takes a bit more effort to hit powerful groundstrokes with it than with my Head Speed Pro.

Overall, the Head Prestige Pro 2023 is pretty similar to the previous version, the Head Prestige Pro Auxetic, released in the fall of 2021. I would say this Prestige Pro 2023 feels even softer and plusher, and Head did a great job of giving it enough stability on contact; it doesn't feel too flexible or wobbly. Some other racquets that come to mind are the Yonex Percept 97D, ProKennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325, Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20, Prince Phantom 93P 18x20 and Wilson Ultra Pro 18x20 v4.

I love the plush, smooth and comfortable feel; there's just something about the flex of this frame and the thin 20-mm beam that yields a superb feel. Solid and stable, yet not too hefty or sluggish.

The lower launch angle from the 18x20 string pattern makes this racquet feel a bit demanding at times, which I especially notice playing on faster hard court surfaces (faster than our gritty indoor test court). A leather grip would be a nice addition for even more feel and to add a couple more points to the head-light balance.

Aside from the two prior iterations of the re-named Head Prestige Pro 2023 , the Yonex Percept 97D, VCORE PRO 97D 320, Prince Phantom 100X 18x20 and Pro Kennex Ki Q+ Tour Pro 325 come to mind as similar racquets.

The effect of the soft, plush feel, great directional control, tasteful cosmetic and mass-based power of the Head Prestige Pro 2023 is great overall. My thought is to play with the heaviest, not the lightest, racquet I can effectively handle, and the 320-gram weight is at the upper realm of what I can play with over a long period of time.

Personally, I always liked and played with this frame type (when I was younger), but at this stage of my tennis life, I need a slightly firmer layup of graphite for some 'old guy' put-away power to go along with the mass-based power.

This Head Prestige Pro 2023 has a similar feel to the Yonex Percept 97D, with similar levels of touch, flex and control. I would say this racquet feels a bit more controlled and lower powered than the Percept, though.

Classic feel, loads of precision, good stability.

The Prestige Pro 2023 challenges me because I often prefer open string patterns in stiffer frames, and this Prestige Pro is a tight pattern with a flexible feel and small head.

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Tennis Equipment

Head radical twin Tube Midplus vs. Head Pro Tour 280

Thread starter dt101
Start date Mar 25, 2008
Mar 25, 2008

I am curious, is the Head Pro Tour 630 280 in any way similar to the Head Radical Twin Tube midplus version (1995 version)? Currently I have the twin tube Midplus and I am thinking of selling it and buying the Pro Tour "Made in Austria" version. I need input. Which on is better? I know the Pro Tour 280 is worth more money, but that is all I know.

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Doc Hollidae

hyogen said: interesting. just picked up 2 made in austria pt 280s both have twaron in them. that's all i know. i'm pretty sure the Twin tube radical (zebra) is lighter than the PT280 by quite a bit... Click to expand...

dt101 said: I am curious, is the Head Pro Tour 630 280 in any way similar to the Head Radical Twin Tube midplus version (1995 version)? Currently I have the twin tube Midplus and I am thinking of selling it and buying the Pro Tour "Made in Austria" version. I need input. Which on is better? I know the Pro Tour 280 is worth more money, but that is all I know. Click to expand...

vsbabolat said: Both of those racquets are from the same mold and have very similar specs.. They are both excellent racquets. Asking which one is better is like asking what flavor of ice cream is better? Click to expand...

The pre-twin tube Radical 260 was very similar to the PT280, except it was a little stiffer. It's been so many years since I hit with the Twin Tube, that I really don't remember how much it was different than the R260, but I don't think it was a large difference.

The twin tube radical was quite a bit different. I got a preferred player sponsorship with Head during their transition phase from the older no gimic, "classic" construction rackets and their new "hi-tech" offerings. Unfortunately... I bought in hook, line, and sinker into the "hi-tech" mindset of the day. Much preferred the raw ball feel and assuredness of the Prestige Classic and PT280, which Head both still made available at the time, but instead went with the "twin tube" Radical Tour as it was kind of seen as the Babolat Pure Drive "must have" tech of the day. This said, is the Radical Tour a bad racket? No, not really. It took me years after when I discovered this board, that oh wait, maybe the PT280 is a better racket. In other words, this board DOES tend to bias you toward the more "old school" frames as somehow being better. (i.e. when I tried the Premier Tour out, I was drooling...thinking this is awesome and get this BETTER than the much vaunted PT280...now that the 280 years later is revered and almost kind of viewed like a "cult" classic, I think to myself how could I ever think that? So believe it or not, one person when he was in an *unbiased* state did NOT hate the Premier Tour, so sue me and throw a bag of chips at me). Objectively speaking though, I would say that the Radical Tour is a FANTASTIC player's frame that offers decent spin, with pretty good control, good comfort for its stifness, excellent stability, and most of all very good get up and go for a player's racket. As for the zebra graphics, they were generally something you either hated or loved, but personally I fell right in the middle and thought it was (in my best Simon voice) "ok, flashy, perhaps a bit over -indulgent, but ok. If I'm being honest here, I don't think you're quite as good looking as you think you are (not saying I wouldn't do you though)." On paper, I would say that the twin tube Radical Tour TRUMPS the PT280 and I think in most player's hands would help them out more in actual results. Where the 280 wins is for more highly advanced or fine wine sippers among us. The 280 has that classic, aged feel. It's the kind of racket where if it's drizzling slightly outside, you'll feel every last rain drop and it's unique contours and sensations on your racket. With the twin tube construction, however, you'll find that it's a technology that really does do what it says on paper, but it has a tendency to make rackets feel slightly disconnected in a floating on a cloud of oatmeal sort of way. You can never quite put your finger on it as everything's nicely muted yet crisp, flexy yet stiff, paradoxically in tune, control is good/power is good, etc. BUT you still get this vague sense at the end of the day that something's missing and everything's vague. Have you been drugged? You don't know, just know that you have no memory of what's just been going on for the last few months with the racket or so. In other words, in ONE word, numb . There's just something about twin tube rackets that leaves you feeling less than exhilarated or enthralled and numb at the end of the day. On paper though, I would give the 280 a definitive edge in terms of actual tangible PERFORMANCE aspects in one area only...and that is, ever so slightly, more control (which to your average consumer could just as easily be interpreted as this racket's underpowered and therefore must have a radical design flaw).

lol wow :O

vsbabolat said: They are both excellent racquets. Asking which one is better is like asking what flavor of ice cream is better? Click to expand...

Mar 26, 2008

NLBwell said: The pre-twin tube Radical 260 was very similar to the PT280, except it was a little stiffer. It's been so many years since I hit with the Twin Tube, that I really don't remember how much it was different than the R260, but I don't think it was a large difference. Click to expand...

Pro_Tour_630

!Tym said: The twin tube radical was quite a bit different. I got a preferred player sponsorship with Head during their transition phase from the older no gimic, "classic" construction rackets and their new "hi-tech" offerings. Unfortunately... I bought in hook, line, and sinker into the "hi-tech" mindset of the day. Much preferred the raw ball feel and assuredness of the Prestige Classic and PT280, which Head both still made available at the time, but instead went with the "twin tube" Radical Tour as it was kind of seen as the Babolat Pure Drive "must have" tech of the day. This said, is the Radical Tour a bad racket? No, not really. It took me years after when I discovered this board, that oh wait, maybe the PT280 is a better racket. In other words, this board DOES tend to bias you toward the more "old school" frames as somehow being better. (i.e. when I tried the Premier Tour out, I was drooling...thinking this is awesome and get this BETTER than the much vaunted PT280...now that the 280 years later is revered and almost kind of viewed like a "cult" classic, I think to myself how could I ever think that? So believe it or not, one person when he was in an *unbiased* state did NOT hate the Premier Tour, so sue me and throw a bag of chips at me). Objectively speaking though, I would say that the Radical Tour is a FANTASTIC player's frame that offers decent spin, with pretty good control, good comfort for its stifness, excellent stability, and most of all very good get up and go for a player's racket. As for the zebra graphics, they were generally something you either hated or loved, but personally I fell right in the middle and thought it was (in my best Simon voice) "ok, flashy, perhaps a bit over -indulgent, but ok. If I'm being honest here, I don't think you're quite as good looking as you think you are (not saying I wouldn't do you though)." On paper, I would say that the twin tube Radical Tour TRUMPS the PT280 and I think in most player's hands would help them out more in actual results. Where the 280 wins is for more highly advanced or fine wine sippers among us. The 280 has that classic, aged feel. It's the kind of racket where if it's drizzling slightly outside, you'll feel every last rain drop and it's unique contours and sensations on your racket. With the twin tube construction, however, you'll find that it's a technology that really does do what it says on paper, but it has a tendency to make rackets feel slightly disconnected in a floating on a cloud of oatmeal sort of way. You can never quite put your finger on it as everything's nicely muted yet crisp, flexy yet stiff, paradoxically in tune, control is good/power is good, etc. BUT you still get this vague sense at the end of the day that something's missing and everything's vague. Have you been drugged? You don't know, just know that you have no memory of what's just been going on for the last few months with the racket or so. In other words, in ONE word, numb . There's just something about twin tube rackets that leaves you feeling less than exhilarated or enthralled and numb at the end of the day. On paper though, I would give the 280 a definitive edge in terms of actual tangible PERFORMANCE aspects in one area only...and that is, ever so slightly, more control (which to your average consumer could just as easily be interpreted as this racket's underpowered and therefore must have a radical design flaw). Click to expand...

yeah it's said to be the closest thing you can get that feels like the PC 600, but with more forgiveness due to larger head

i would say that the pro tour is definitely like a midplus version of the PC. this is just my opinion here. iTym: Thanks for the review. Good stuff there The only thing that the pro tour lacks is at the net in my point of view. Its not hard to hit a great volley, but when being smacked a winner it seems a little difficult to control. This is where i think the radical has the edge. The balance i think is a little more head heavy than the PT. In terms of feel i would go for the PT. But if you just like bashing the ball the Radical is definitely great. But this is all relative. If you really wanted to know the difference between the two, you need to try it for yourself.

The iPrestige Mid's feel is closer than the Prestige Classic Mid's to the feel of the Pro Tour. I don't think the Pro Tour and Prestige Classic Mid feel similar at all. They're both great racquets, but quite different. The Prestige Classic Mid has a very soft, pocketing feel, whereas the Pro Tour's feel is more comfortably crisp - similar to the iPrestige Mid in that way.

Tend to agree that the Prestige Classic 600 and the PT280 are really not that alike. I've demoed and owned both extensively. The made in Austria Prestige Classic 600's have a raw, CRISP, animalistic, cagey quality to them that the later TW releases and designed in Austria releases didn't have. I'd say these later releases of the Prestige Classic have more of the PT280 feel which I would describe as being a little more like buttery than raw-RAW in the strictest sense of the word. To me, a good PT280 felt like a SOLID chunk of high-quality butter. It gives a solid sensation but is still buttery goodness WITHOUT feeling all mushy on you. The twin tubes are mayonaisse by comparison...ooh-la-la.

Mar 27, 2008

!Tym Without wanting to derail this thread, have you ever played with the Prestige Pro? I am passing curious about this, because we see so much being written about the Prestiges and the Pro Tours, yet a Head sponsored friend of mine who has tried every iteration of the Prestige refuses to use anything else except his brown PPros. To him, they are a night and day difference from everything that followed (although he does admit to liking the PT 630 very much - it just aint his PPro). I haven't had the pleasure yet of any extensive court time with the Prestige Pro - they're hard to find - but if you have any insights it'd be great to hear them. BTW - just to keep this on topic - my friend never cared for the original Radical models. He felt the balance was a bit strange, the feel not on the same level as the Prestige Pro (or the PT) and the control lacking in comparison as well.

jayserinos99

galain said: !Tym Without wanting to derail this thread, have you ever played with the Prestige Pro? I am passing curious about this, because we see so much being written about the Prestiges and the Pro Tours, yet a Head sponsored friend of mine who has tried every iteration of the Prestige refuses to use anything else except his brown PPros. To him, they are a night and day difference from everything that followed (although he does admit to liking the PT 630 very much - it just aint his PPro). I haven't had the pleasure yet of any extensive court time with the Prestige Pro - they're hard to find - but if you have any insights it'd be great to hear them. BTW - just to keep this on topic - my friend never cared for the original Radical models. He felt the balance was a bit strange, the feel not on the same level as the Prestige Pro (or the PT) and the control lacking in comparison as well. Click to expand...

jayrlo said: i would say that the pro tour is definitely like a midplus version of the PC. this is just my opinion here. iTym: Thanks for the review. Good stuff there The only thing that the pro tour lacks is at the net in my point of view. Its not hard to hit a great volley, but when being smacked a winner it seems a little difficult to control. This is where i think the radical has the edge. The balance i think is a little more head heavy than the PT. In terms of feel i would go for the PT. But if you just like bashing the ball the Radical is definitely great. But this is all relative. If you really wanted to know the difference between the two, you need to try it for yourself. Click to expand...

MichaelChang

The OP asked about Radical Twin Tube and PT280. and it seems now the discussion has become PC/PT differences. lol.

people can't get enough of their PC. LOL

The twintube in the Rads make it feel muted in comparison to the PT280, but compared to the rackets of today, there is still plenty of feel to be had.

OnyxZ28 said: The twintube in the Rads make it feel muted in comparison to the PT280, but compared to the rackets of today, there is still plenty of feel to be had. Click to expand...

Pro_Tour_630 said: !Tym you gave me a HEADache ( not pun intended) and I am spec junki Click to expand...

dt101 said: Hey thanks for all the great input. So to sum it all up the Pro Tour 280 just has a better feel. Does the 280 feel more like the Prestige Classic 600 "Made in Austria" version? I like the way the Prestige feels. Click to expand...

how about for PT280/630s? I thought there were china remakes--don't those say designed in austria too? or does designed in austria ONLY mean made in austria, finished in CR? (like the head classic tour TW remake)

hyogen said: how about for PT280/630s? I thought there were china remakes--don't those say designed in austria too? or does designed in austria ONLY mean made in austria, finished in CR? (like the head classic tour TW remake) Click to expand...

ah i see. thanks michael chang.

vsbabolat said: The Pro Tour 630 was never made in China. The Pro Tour 280 had SMU's after it was discontinued that was made in China. Those have made in china in the throat and or a black butt cap the head logo stamped in silver on it (not a a black sticker or a hologram sticker) also with China on the butt cap. There were some at the end of in line Pro Tour 280 production that were made in Kennelbach, Austria and finished in the HEAD Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic factory. Those have Designed in Austria, "HEAD Barcode Label Inside" and the Hologram Sticker on the Butt cap. Click to expand...

rorschack said: I play with most of the racquets you guys mention here. Brown Prestige Pro, Brown fading to Red Prestige Pro, Green/Silver Prestige 600, PT 280, and PT630. BTW, I am only talking about "Made in Austria" stuff here. The difference between the PT280 and PT630 is HUGE! The PT630 is very very very flexible, almost like noodle. That IS the ONLY reason why it volleys like crap! Since it's so flexi, you have to work harder when you block back volleys and because of that it's much harder to control. On the other hand, PT280 is noticeably more stiff and that is why it volleys much much better. I play with the PT280 now as my volley is much more solid and I can get much more power AND control from the baseline. The PT630 is good for people with arm issue as it's very soft and flexible, too flexible, for that matter. So, I would say that the PT280 is much more closer to the Prestiges. Now, for the brown Prestige Pro, I used to play with it, but wanted to concentrate on grooving with the PT so that's why it's been collecting dust. What I recalled was that it's much more stiff than the PT630, solid as granite, and has high swing weight because the balance is around 4-6 point head light. I will string it up again and start playing more serve and volley with it because that's what it excels at. Plus, I want to see if I can improve my game with it. The PT280 (full cap) has almost identical balance point, swing weight, feel, and flex as the brown Prestige Pro. PT280 = Brownie re-incarnated. There, I let the cat out. Now watch the price of the PT280 sky-rocket! LOL Anyone wants my PT630? :twisted: Click to expand...

As I had noted in my email, I'm talking about "Made in Austria" only. I have several 8/10 condition PT630. I am still deciding when to sell them but not definite yet. I added the full CAP from the LM. It doesn't matter for me whether they are cheap plastic. I just like the way they are hitting now. However, it's freaking more head heavy for sure. 4 point headlight.

Mar 28, 2008

Thanks to those who replied to my off topic question. !Tym - if you're still reading this, I cannot believe what a Pyramid Tour would be like with weight added to the handle. It's the most headlight thing I've ever swung as it is!

rorschack said: As I had noted in my email, I'm talking about "Made in Austria" only. I have several 8/10 condition PT630. I am still deciding when to sell them but not definite yet. I added the full CAP from the LM. It doesn't matter for me whether they are cheap plastic. I just like the way they are hitting now. However, it's freaking more head heavy for sure. 4 point headlight. Click to expand...

I swing my PT280...and I shake hands with God.

Speedygonzalez

Pro_Tour_630 said: Also there were no PT280 that came stock with full original cap, you have to add that and it has to be the original one not the cheap plastic ones that came from iprestige MP onward. Click to expand...

Speedygonzalez said: Pro_Tour_630: Great avatar! Every ten seconds I have to wipe off the saliva from my desk. Regarding installing CAP on the PT280:what are your experiences? I have new CAPS for my PT280s but I didn't dare to install them yet. Does it affect playing characteristics? Click to expand...

omg few dozen?! lets see a pic of them all!

Mar 29, 2008

Pro_Tour_630: Thanks for the info! I was referring to your current avatar. That bunch of PTs looks just gorgeous... Regarding the CAPS I have the full cap versions of the LM prestiges mp, not the shorter ones of the iprestiges. I read these would fit the PTs as well. I must say that I haven't played too much with the PTs yet since I am having a good time with the iprestige mid. I have both the full capped 630 and the 280 with bumper guard. They are all Austrian made and because I liked the way they played and couldn't detect large differences I just left the bumper guards.... Unfortunately I don't have a scale to weight these babies.... But besides swingweight, does installing caps affect the racquet in any other ways?

hyogen said: omg few dozen?! lets see a pic of them all! Click to expand...

Speedygonzalez said: But besides swingweight, does installing caps affect the racquet in any other ways? Click to expand...

Apr 2, 2008

Clearcoat flaking off I taped the head of my Radical twin tube with electrical tape and when I took the tape off the clearcoat also came off. Damn, is it suppose to do that? Is there anyway to fix that? Is there a place that can refinish it for me? I need input. Thanks.

Pro_Tour_630 said: you might make a mess out of your keyboard. Click to expand...

Sep 11, 2009

Pro_Tour_630 said: you are correct, I have been playing on and off with the PT since 1995, but for the past five years it has been my main frame of choice. I have tried over a dozen different variations of the PT over the years and each have a unique feel, few are closer to one another and but some are very different, for example, few of my austrian PT630 with CAPS are 335grams and that is with CAPS!!!!! and heavy replacement grip and 5grams of lead at butcap!!!!!!, the chinese PT280 are around 350grams stock and that is without CAPS ( caps usually weigh around 30 grams and the difference between the two grommets are at least 15grams) the SW of my austrian caped PT630 is 324, the SW of a non caped stock chinese PT280 is 350 at least. If people can not tell the difference then they should not be playing with this type of stick in the first place, period. I dont even want to get into flex, THE AUSTRIAN PT630 flexs at 54 and below while the chinese are generally stiffer and over 58 around 60, I am not saying one is better than the other, check my previous posts, but that they are different enough where some can feel. I just prefer the austrian because I can customize them more, with a stock chinese PT if you start adding lead, CAPS and leather grip etc.. you are going to end up with one heck of a beast, which is ok if that is what you fancy. IMO, when Head when to China to make the PT they droped the 5-6% TWARON composition due to cost which is why they play different. Click to expand...

Professional

Jul 7, 2012

HEAD RADICAL TOUR TWIN TUBE.....How much weight with full cap than the normal caps.?

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HEAD PT57A vs Wilson H19

Racquet junkies all over the world are raving about the experience of playing with a HEAD PT57A or Wilson H19, pro stock versions resembling the legendary HEAD Pro Tour 630.

I’ve been testing the racquets side to side and here are my personal opinions about these two great frames. You can read more about the HEAD Pro Tour 630/PT57A here .

First of all I want to repeat that NO racquet is a magic wand that will immediately upgrade your game a level or two. The right racquet for your game and style will help your results, but it won’t fix issues with your technique or physical ability. Just to make that clear.

What is nice about playing these two pro stock racquet side by side is that there is no fancy technology involved. Yes, racquetholics talk about the twaron* fibre that is in the PT57A as a “decisive” ingredient, but in essence this is all about high-quality graphite, no bullshit tennis racquet.

* Twaron (a brand name of Teijin Aramid ) is a para-aramid . It is a heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibre developed in the early 1970s by the Dutch company AKZO , division ENKA , later Akzo Industrial Fibers.

With all the current technologies being marketed as the perfect ingredient to create the ultimate combination (and oxymoron?) of control and power, such as Graphene, Countervail, Dynacore to name a few, it’s nice to be without the marketing lingo. But let’s look at a comparison between the PT57A and the H19.

The Wilson H19 is meant to be Wilsons copy/imitation/iteration of the Prestige/Pro Tour line and it comes close. However, I didn’t feel that the ball “pocketing” was on par with the PT57A. In my mind that is what makes the PT57A and the HEAD Pro Tour 630 unique – it grabs the ball in a way that really makes you feel on the strings. I’m not saying that will automatically make you play better, because it doesn’t for me, but if you that’s what you’re looking for in your tennis racquet, there are few sticks that come close.

What the Wilson H19 does better is give a slightly bigger sweet spot (it is 97 sq inches, while the PT57A is 95) and more power. My H19 is a heavy beast, with similar specs to what Djokovic was hitting when he was with Wilson in the past, but for comparison that is great since my PT57A and H19 were close.

When you get a racquet at close to 360 grams you’re likely going to get good power because of the weight (not always, the HEAD Radical Tour “Candycane” is probably the most low-powered racquet I’ve ever hit with), but the H19 played more like a tank with big power, while the PT57A made me want to play like Andy Murray and caress the ball into the corners until my opponent didn’t know what to do.

The H19 really surprised me here. It felt more like an attacking weapon, but I needed to hit with good spin to have my shots land in, while I could built up the points better with the PT57A. I have sadly never hit with a H22, but from what I’ve heard it is supposed to be even more powerful than the H19. Yowza! to that…

So…if you’re on a budget and looking for a HEAD PT57A – look for a Angell TC 97 Custom and if you’re on a budget and looking for a Wilson H19 – check out the Wilson Ultra Tour. They are both close enough in my opinion not to warrant those extra dollars. Not to mention that pro stock racquets are often hard to find.

What is your pro stock racquet history? Please comment below!

What racquets do the ATP pros use?

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Here is a great racquet buying guide to get you started. What tennis racquet should I buy? Top tennis racquets to buy right now The Gear of the Year 2016 Tennis racquets for juniors Tennis racquets for kids

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Jonas Eriksson

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

Do I need a heavy racquet to hit hard?

Head graphene touch radical racquets, you may also like, wilson blade 98 16/19 v9 review, babolat pure strike 100 16/20 review, head boom pro 2024 review, dunlop cx 200 review, dunlop cx 400 tour review, wilson blade 98 18/20 v9 review, diadem nova v3 review, the most popular racquet on the wta tour, diadem nova v3 racquets, head speed pro 2024 review, 25 comments.

on a budget?

the Ultra Tour is US$ 250/ Angells are Expensive too, 200$ + shipping Hope you didnt get these as expensive, these are on the high end retail prices.

gotta get lucky on the bay for me then ;)

Yes, racquets are expensive these days. Nah, I’m not on a budget when it comes to racquets. I know a lot of suppliers and some manufacturers and get either review samples or good discounts, but pro stock racquets can be really expensive and cost double that of a retail Wilson Ultra Tour if they’re new. Cheers / J

Anyways, thanks for the good read, I always wanted to know the subtle differences between the two.

Since I think you know more than I do with pro stocks:

Do you know the various differences of the PT57 range? Ive seen PT57A, PT57A#, PT57E, there is a PT57B too?

I have heard the PT57E came out as the i.Prestige MP, but is the pro stock the same as the one sold, or was it a racquet based on the pro stock the customized for retail? I somehow cant conceive this, so I get confused how they say a pro stock the same as a retail one. Guess the same can apply to the Pro Tour. Is that pro stock or not? it doesnt weigh like one unless is a layup version of the pro stock? only way I can think of it, but once the weighs are different than pro stock, why called the same on the forums , etc?

so im trying to conclude, by my own logic, but not sure if proven correct, that the PT57 as is the pro stock base mold and the letters after it denote a retail variation for public sale?: PT57 = pro stock layup and mold? PT57A = Pro Tour layup off the pro stock mold? PT57E = I.Prestige layup off the same pro stock mold?

But also read the A and E are pro stocks themselves and one is stiffer than the other? Hope you can clear this up a bit for me.

Thanks a great deal!

Thanks for your comments Luis. There is also a PT57F actually. Will create a post about this shortly so await my reply :) Regards / J

Nice article! And objective, too, considering it says that pro stock racquets are no magic wands which will automatically make you a better player… Anyway, my history goes like this : I’ve been a pro tour 630 user for almost 2 years, and those racquets were great, the feel was exceptional but they had a small sweetspot and they were pretty heavy. Sold those, now i play with 2 TGK 260.1, youtek radicals pro stock which are about 340 g strung and a little headlight. I also happen to own Nole’s personal Liquidmetal radical, customized in Austria (around 345 g, finest calfskin grip, almost even ballanced) and play with it as well, especially if i want a little more power and plowtrough. Strung it with RPM blast 1.25 mm @ 24/23 kg and the feel is great, although I plan to go even lower with the tension. So it’s Radicals for me, I find them a nice blend of playability and feel, being a little more forgiving than PT 630 and still have tons of control. I also own a PT57A (350g with lead and silicone) wihch is a great racquet but a little too demanding for me, as it practically gives no credit on off shots… But it’s my fault not the racquet’s :)

Thanks for your comment and sharing your experience. Appreciate the kind words. You have a nice history of racquets! Would be great to see some pics of the Liquidmetal Radical that Djokovic played with since I’m using that stick myself but it weighs more. The TGK 260.1 are rather flexible I guess?

I just want to say that I really appreciate your blog. I have learned so much from your articles.

I just purchased my first “Classic” racket today. I found a Head Radical Candy Cane brand new on Prostocktennis. What is the difference between the Candy Cane and the original Pro Tour 630? My understanding is that it is similar, just a bit heavier and beefier swing weight. My reasoning for this purchase is the sweet 58 RA rating.

I have been hitting with the RF 97. I love it so much, but the stiffness has gotten to me I think. Taking it’s toll on my elbow and arm. So I thought I would try a classic racket hoping for better health!

Thanks! Yes, they’re quite similar, I do feel that they flex differently and that the PT57A flexes more in the throat than the PT57B (Radical Tour/Candycane). The PT57B also feels more low-powered to me, really the ultimate control stick.

I hope you enjoy the Candycane. It’s worth the love and you’ll feel like you can really swing out compared to the stiff RF 97. Also, so much better for your body.

Good luck / Jonas

PS – I know you have hit with Candy Canes before. Any recommendations for string and tension? Thanks so much!

Hi Bryce, For the Candycanes I’ll go with a more powerful poly or even a multifilament since they’re so low-powered.

I enjoyed Weisscannon Silverstring in mine. A hybrid with natural gut and poly string should also be golden!

Great sticks so good luck! Cheers / J

Forgot about tensions – I’d go with a poly at 22 kg to open up the power and spin more. /J

Hi Jonas! Love your blog. Great work for all us racquetaholics. Currently playing prince phantom (also have a 6.1 95 (2014) 16×18) which is a keeper for sure. Looking to try a soft 18×20 frame (I don’t mind the lack of power, but I do mind high stiffness). What do you think between wilson ultra tour and technifibre tfight 315 atp ltd (have you tried this version or only 16×19)?

Hi Alex, Thanks! I think you’d be happy with either of my go-to racquets: Tecnifibre Tfight 315 Ltd (both are great, but most love the 18×20), the Ultra Tour or the Prince Textreme Tour 95. If you like Prince, maybe a Textreme Tour 95 would be the way to go…

Good luck and let me know where you end up! Cheers / Jonas

I have a head pro tour 280, and an Angell custom tc95 and I can tell you that both are very similar in every aspect, but mainly in the matter of comfort and feel. I’ve never played with Angell custom tc97, so I can make a comparison and tell you which one comes closest to the head pro tour 280, whether the Tc95 or Tc97. Today my current racket is the Angell custom tc95, and I’m very happy with it.

What kind of set up to an ultra tour would put in close to an H19.

How many grams and where?

Just purchased an ultra tour and want to try the above.

Hi, This is highly personal, the mold is a H19 already. I would put a leather grip and add quite a bit of lead tape around the hoop. This is something you should experiment with. If you like a depolarized setup that is stable but doesn’t give as much spin, I would go with a double strips at 3 and 9. This is usually what I like. If you’re good at hitting the ball in the sweet spot and want to open up more power, I would go with strips around 12. I like to reach around 345-50 grams strung weight and 5-6 pts head light balance. But I even played the Ultra Tour in stock form and did okay with it.

Good luck and let me know how it goes! Cheers / Jonas

The Wilson Ultra Tour is not a H19. It may be made from the same mold, but the H19 is made from completely different materials. Retail frames and Pro Stock frames are not the same.

I have 3 H19’s in the rare 16X19 pattern. I briefly had the Ultra Tour and the frames are not the same.

Yes, same mold, slightly different construction. Personally I have had a H19 too and to me they did not feel that different. But not the same, no.

Wow, i’m surprised as my H19’s are way stiffer than the Ultra Tours. They are beautiful, very solid, and exceptionally built. The UT’s felt very cheap and delicate. There have been many many complaints of chipped paint on the frames after contact with just a tennis ball. The paint and finish were not very good.

I would put forth that the materials moreso than the mold really make the frame.

Hey tennisnerd, if some offered you the choice of either PT57A or the H19 and you could only choose one which would you take?

Also, a lot of people say the Pro Stock H19 has much better feel than the Ultra Tour, did you also find that to be the case?

Hi, I think the H19 is a bit nicer feeling than the Ulta Tour. It is plusher and more flexible due to the lower stiffness rating.

I would go with a PT57A though, it is a little bit sweeter. But I also love the PT113B that Djokovic and Verdasco uses.

Cheers / Jonas

Hi Tennisnerd, I have become a avid racketholic thanks to you!

For the past 4 months I’ve been switching between a Head Prestige graphene touch mp, Wilson Ultra Tour 97 and Wilson BLX blade tour 93.

Now I have the chance of getting a Head Radical Tour 630 (Candy cane). How playable is the Candy cane compared to the other three rackets? And what are your experiences with it?

Thanks in advance and keep up the great work!

Is the retail Ultra Tour an H19?

Thanks for the great comparison! Not meant to hijack your article for the comparison between H19 and PT57A. Have you tried the new Wilson Ultra Pro 16×19 racket? I have been playing with the H19 16×19 rackets strung at 45lbs and liked them. I saw Ultra Pro 16×19 became available on Wilson’s website and the rep told me they are using the same mold and materials as the H19. However, the cosmetics are quite distinctive as my H19 rackets were with the Ultra Tour paint job (of the wrong 18×20) and in leather grips. Are they play the same?

Hi Jonas- can you tell me how someone outside the UK might demo an Angell? I’m really interested in trying one, but I’m in the US