Landon is back with a classic racquet review, this time of the HEAD IG Extreme Pro 2.0, which is what Matteo Berrettini allegedly uses under a new cosmetic.

Classic Racquet Review: HEAD IG Extreme Pro 2.0

It’s been nearly a decade since a friend introduced me to the HEAD Extreme racquet, a welcomed departure from his usual Tecnifibre. As we set up for a game of tennis, I couldn’t help but be intrigued by this bright, optic yellow frame. At that time, I was using a Babolat Aero Pro Drive, a racquet I had grown fond of but found to lack the ideal feel, had a large handle shape, and wasn’t the most comfortable option. So, on a whim, I decided to try his HEAD Extreme, which left a lasting impression.

Check out our latest HEAD Extreme Auxetic Review here.

Initially, the HEAD Extreme seemed like HEAD’s response to the dominant Babolats in the market. The similar color scheme, the generous head size, and competitive pricing made it appear like an Aero Pro Drive knockoff. But I was about to discover that I was mistaken. The Extreme possessed a unique character that set it apart. The absence of Babolat’s woofer grommets and the distinctive HEAD feel provided a direct and connected sensation with the ball that the Babolats couldn’t replicate. So when the IG Pro version went on clearance sale at Tennis Warehouse, I seized the opportunity to try it.

Specs

The unstrung specifications of the Extreme Pro resembled those of a Prestige – weighing in at 315 grams, with a 295 swing weight, a 31.5 balance, and a strung balance of 8 points head-light. It featured a thick beam and a rounded, lollipop-shaped head that didn’t grab as much attention as the APD’s design. However, I found a special racquet that delivered comfort on impact while packing a punch in terms of power. Alongside that power came ample spin and control, greatly assisting me on the court. I even managed to secure a fall league victory with this racquet, which boasts my highest winning percentage among all the frames I’ve used.

Over the years, as new and intriguing racquets hit the market, the Extreme was relegated to the depths of my closet for no apparent reason. Meanwhile, Italian powerhouse Matteo Berrettini continues to wield his under a fresh Auxetic paint job to this day. In fact, if you search for the pro stock version of this racquet online, you may be astonished to find prices exceeding $350 for a frame that was on clearance for less than $100 back in 2016.

Revisiting a racquet

Recently, I decided to revisit this racquet. I strung it up with a fresh set of Grapplesnake Tour Sniper strings, and I have performed exceptionally well with it, just like in the past. Despite its 315-gram frame with a large lollipop head, it swings remarkably fast and maintains incredible stability upon contact. It’s an excellent match for a baseliner with a semi-western grip who enjoys generating copious amounts of spin.

The HEAD Extreme line continues to impress with each iteration. Since the IG version, HEAD has altered the head shape of the racquet. With the introduction of the new Auxetics, they have elevated the level of feel to a point that would have been unimaginable for a tweener racquet a decade ago.

So, if you’ve got a HEAD IG Extreme Pro 2.0 tucked away in your closet, it might be time to dust it off and rediscover the magic it can bring to your game.

And somewhere in Italy, Matteo Berrettini nods and smiles.

About the author

Landon started playing tennis early and competed in USTA Junior Tennis growing up. After taking a long break from tennis until his 30s, Landon now plays UTR and on a Men’s USTA 4.0 team in Denver, CO. Knowing very little about gear until his return to tennis, he has enjoyed trying all the new string and racquet technologies on the market while optimizing his game and getting on the court as much as possible. Landon has also regularly contributed to Tennis Warehouse racquet and string play tests and play-tested gear directly for multiple racquet and string brands.