Price: $200
Head Size: 98 sq. in. (mp); 107 sq. in. (os)
Length: 27 in.
Weight: 11.1 oz.
Flexibility: Extremely Flexible Balance: 2/5 in. head light (mp); 3/5 in. head light (os)
Ideal Swing: Long
NTRP: 4.0–7.0 (mp); 3.0–5.5 (os)SALES PITCH:
The latest update to the Radical is designed to deliver optimal feel and control to advanced players.

COMPARE TO:
Head Flexpoint Radical

HOW IT TESTED:
Andre Agassi may have hung up his Radical, but that’s not stopping Head from rolling out a fresh version of this popular model. The latest incarnation features MicroGEL, a silicone-based material that’s combined with the frame’s graphite-carbon fibers to absorb and distribute shock throughout the racquet. But like previous Radicals, this one is suited for skilled players. The mid-plus scored well with playtesters in terms of ball control and frame stability. Players were also impressed with the racquet’s manageable weight and maneuverability, though the dense string pattern may make it more challenging to hit with a lot of spin. For those looking for an even sturdier stick, the Radical comes in a Pro model that’s nearly an ounce heavier and has an open string pattern for more spin (for a full review, go to TENNIS.com/gear). Then there’s the oversize version. With a larger sweet spot, it’s ideal for intermediates who are newcomers to the Radical.

BOTTOM LINE:
If control is your desire, both the mid-plus and oversize will suit your needs.

PRICE: $225
HEAD SIZE: 107 sq. in.
LENGTH: 27.3 in.
WEIGHT: 9.7 oz.
FLEXIBILITY: Firm
BALANCE: 4/5 in. head heavy
IDEAL SWING: Medium
NTRP: 2.5–4.0SALES PITCH
With a racquet face in between a mid-plus and an oversize, this Head will give you some extra power without
sacrifi cing control.

COMPARE TO
Head Flexpoint 4

HOW IT TESTED
The biggest praise for the Metallix 4 came in the comfort and handling departments. It’s light and maneuverable, yet the head-heavy balance gives the frame a surprisingly substantial feel. Playtesters raved about the ample sweet spot, which is a result of the lowered bridge at the bottom of the racquet face. Doubles players were particularly fond of the pop they got on serves and volleys without having to swing for the fences. Metallix (a strong, light metal alloy) in the throat gives the racquet stability and power, and the throat also has Head Stabilizers (the wings on the side of the frame), which reduce shock and vibration. The one grumble that some playtesters had was that control was adequate but not exceptional.

BOTTOM LINE
If you want a comfort-oriented racquet to do some of the work for you, but you still like to have some say in your strokes, try this frame.

PRICE: $225
BALANCE: 4/5 in. head heavy
HEAD SIZE: 107 sq. in.
FLEXIBILITY: Firm
LENGTH: 27.3 in.
IDEAL SWING: Medium-long
WEIGHT: 9.6 oz.
NTRP: 3.0–4.5FIRST TAKE:
It’s bound to happen sometime in your tennis-playing life: You’ll start to feel more pain in your swinging arm and dish out less pain to your opponent. That’s when you should switch to a more comfortable racquet that dampens shock. One candidate would be Head’s newest Liquidmetal racquet.

COMPARE TO:
Head i.X5

HOW IT TESTED:
Hitting with this frame requires a delicate balance: Swing too fast and balls will sail long; too slow and shots land short. But players with medium to long swings will get a very good blend of power and control. The Liquidmetal 5’s head is rounder than that of its predecessor, the i.X5, so it has shorter main (up and down) strings, which provide a bit more control and slightly less power. Of course, the racquet also features the stiff alloy Liquidmetal in the head (at the 10, 2, 5, and 7 o’clock positions) to increase stability and control on off-center hits. The big story, though, is comfort. Thanks to a built-in vibration dampener and memory foam in the handle, which Head calls NoShox, the racquet eliminates most of the vibration. While some players said they didn’t get enough feedback, older players who needed comfort liked the dampened sensation.

BOTTOM LINE:
It scores excellent marks for comfort.

Length: 27
Weight: 10.9
Ideal Swing – Short: No
Ideal Swing – Medium: No
Ideal Swing – Long: YesWhen Agassi goes for his third U.S. Open title this month, he’ll be using this brand-new stick, which updates the Ti.Radical with energy-transforming piezoelectric fibers in the throat (for more power and less vibration). Will this racquet return the ’99 champ to the winner’s circle? Time will tell. But we can say this much: The i.Radical is a winner. Testers liked its comfort, control, and maneuverability. Advanced serve-and-volleyers preferred the mid-plus, appreciating its touch at net, while baseliners favored the oversize for its extra forgiveness. Power? Like Agassi, you’ve gotta swing hard to generate juice. But testers said the i.Radical had surprising pop on the serve. “When I went for a flat serve,” said a 4.5 player, “the ball exploded.” With the oversize, testers reported they were able to get lots of action on the ball, though the frame twisted now and then on off-center hits.

BOTTOM LINE:
An excellent control-oriented racquet.

This product received the following rates for these characteristics:
Maneuverability: High
Control: High
Power: Low
Comfort: High

Length: 27.5
Weight: 11.7
Ideal Swing – Short: No
Ideal Swing – Medium: No
Ideal Swing – Long: YesThe Head i.Prestige is just like a drill sergeant: it’s very demanding. Just ask Gustavo Kuerten, who’s playing with the midsize as we speak. The i.Prestige has piezoelectric fibers in the throat, which give the frame more pop than its predecessor, the popular Prestige Classicm but you still have to take a major-league cut to generate pace and depth on your shots. The racquet’s control is second to none, thanks in part to the dense 18×20 string pattern. And when you make contact in the ball-size sweet spot — which won’t happen very often unless you’re at least an intermediate player — the feeling is sensation. Testers preferred the midsize at net and the longer mid-plus (called the XL) from the baseline and for serving. These are hefty sticks, so early racquet preparation is a must if you don’t want to be caught late swinging a lot of weight around.

BOTTOM LINE:
Calling all pro-tour wannabes.

This product received the following rates for these characteristics:
Maneuverability: Low
Control: High
Power: Medium
Comfort: Low