The recent resurgence of Novak Djokovic, winning Wimbledon and Cincinnati, is surely due to hard work and multiple factors. Maybe one of these factors is the use of the new Head Graphene 360 Speed Pro racquet.
Maintaining the basic features of the Head Speed Pro series, such as the 100 sq in head size and light weight, Head has brought some interesting changes to improve performance of the racquet.
First, the constant beam width has been augmented to 23 mm, increasing racquet stability. Also, the balance point has been brought to 32 cm (6 points head light), to offer good maneuverability with a swingweight of 318.
Perhaps the most important change has been the redesigning of the cross string pattern for wider spacing in the center of the stringbed, thus increasing power and spin.
That gives the racquet a crisper feel and better spins and angles. Since control and precision were already guaranteed by the dense 18×20 string pattern and the flexibility of the racquet, the new additions make this racquet a serious proposition for players seeking control, power and spin in their games.
Racquet Specifications
| Length | 69 cm (standard) |
| Head Size | 100 sq in |
| Weight (strung) | 326 g |
| Balance Point (strung) | 32 cm / 6 points HL |
| Stiffness | 62 RA |
| Beam | 23 cm Straight Beam |
| String Pattern | 18 x 20 |
Playtest
Playing with the Head Graphene Speed Pro is primarily a question of control. With its dense pattern, you are immediately assured that your shots will land inside the court, so it gives you plenty of confidence.
The low swingweight, moderate weight and head light balance make the racquet very maneuverable, so that it is easy to accelerate the ball or create spins and angles.
With good preparation, you can easily take the ball on the rise and take an offensive role, a must in the modern game of tennis.
Returns are easy to control and place thanks to the ample head size and the string pattern, and so are volleys, both shots benefitting from racquet maneuverability.
Serves are solid and can be fast if you can generate good racquet head speed. Second serves are easy due to the control and better capacity to generate spin of this model.
It has also good comfort and feel, increasing your ability to execute touch shots and protecting your arm against injuries, which were a problem with previous issues of this model.
A very competent racquet for intermediate and advanced players seeking control and playability.
Performance
| Power: |  (8.0 / 10) |
| Control: |  (9.0 / 10) |
| Maneuverability: | (9.0 / 10) |
| Comfort/Feel: | (8.0 / 10) |
| Groundstrokes: | (9.0 / 10) |
| Serves: | (8.0 / 10) |
| Returns: | (8.0 / 10) |
| Volleys: | (9.0 / 10) |