HEAD has finally re-released the legend, the HEAD Pro Tour 630 / 280. But is it the same? I hope to review this racquet soon.
Tennis nerds and racquet enthusiasts have been asking for the re-release of the HEAD Pro Tour 630 / 280 for a long time. It is still surprising that HEAD obliged. Is this racquet still viable for club and intermediate level players? If you have tried the original version, you know it is a beautiful but demanding racquet. You can watch my take on that version here in my review below or read my post Magic Made in Austria. This re-release is called HEAD Pro Tour 2.0.
HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 vs 630/280. Is it the same thing?
The question many will ask is: is the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 the same thing as the original? Well, not exactly. The mold is the same, but the racquet does not include Twaron and has a higher stiffness rating (65 vs 58). I base this on the Tennis Warehouse review which you can watch below. The racquet is also made in China and most HEAD classic racquet fans prefer the Made in Austria versions. So there are quite a few differences. We can be pessimistic about that or perhaps see it as a true 2.0 version that is easier to use. I can’t really say until I have tried it.
Here are some pics from racquet collector extraordinaire, Dane Miftari of prostockracquets.com.au
The racquet is available from Tennis Warehouse (US), Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only (AUS). I hope to get my hands on one for a review as soon as the courts open up here. Below are the specs from the Tennis Warehouse Europe website.
Specifications
| Head Size: | 98 in² / 632 cm² (real 95 – Tennisnerd comment) |
| Length: | 27in / 68,5cm |
| Strung Weight: | 343g / 12,1oz |
| Unstrung Weight: | 11,5 oz/ 325 grams |
| Balance: | 32,49cm / 6 pts HL |
| Unstrung Balance: | 31,5cm/9 pts HL |
| Swingweight: | 335 |
| Stiffness: | 65 |
| Beam Width: | 20mm / 20mm / 20mm |
| Composition: | Graphite |
| Racket Colours: | Blue |
| Grip Type: | Hydrosorb Pro |
| String Pattern: | 18 Mains / 20 Crosses Mains skip: 9T,8H,10H |
| Tension: | 22-27kg / 50-60lb |
HEAD Pro Tour 630 / 280 Racquet Review
I review the original Made in Austria version in the video below. This is a great racquet to use, but I generally find it a bit too demanding for match play these days. On the other hand, the updated version has a slightly lower swing weight and higher stiffness (more power?) so it could be a tad easier to use. Still, there is no getting away from that a 95 sq inch head size is on the small scale of things in today’s tennis.
I was always a fan of 95 sq inch racquets, but lately, I have started to appreciate the forgiveness of a 100 sq inch head. Will the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 be good enough to sway me back in that direction?
Have you tried the new HEAD Pro Tour 2.0? Or maybe the old one? Let’s hear what you think of it in the comments below.
5 comments
It’s so confusing. So it is closer to a 95″ head? I thought since Head’s measurements are now in line with other manufacturers they’d provide the actual size.
I have an H22 and that’s supposed to be an actual 98 but when I line it up w my oPT280 (original) it looks the same size.
… could it be that head size is that difficult to determine by just lining up two rackets?
Hmm Im curious about this racquet, since I love thin 18×20 racquets.
Still love using my TI Radical MP but changing to a Ultra tour 97 now ( still like the feel of the radical more, but I need a new racquet lol )
I bet this Pro Tour will be fun to play, but not a good racquet to play a serious match with. At least for me, its too heavy.
Im more intrigued about the new Ultra Pro 97 actually.
Cheers!
Hey guys @tennisnerd, so I got mine today and took it out on some private courts to hit. This new version plays a LOT like the PT57E. Maybe a tad plusher but power levels are quite similar. Swings akin to the RF97A but for a baseline slugger. That being said it’s low powered and with the retail strings (head lynx) it comes with lacks some pocketing. Feels like it is strung at 55 ibs. Im sure cutting these out and stringing around 46 ibs should do the trick. Unlike a lot of the old fans of the stick im only 6 years out of college but I played with a PC600 for my college matches. Kinda wish I had this one at that time to give myself some more wiggle room in longer rallies. That being said, not so sure this will be widely accepted by recreational players. Time will tell! Excited to hear your thoughts. Cheers!
I have just ordered one earlier this week and it is expected to be sent on Monday 11th of May. I hope to try it out soon next week when tennis courts in The Netherlands are expected to open up. Then I can also try my other new rackets: Head Graphene 360+ Prestige Mid and Prince 93P 14×18 :-)
Wow my lineup is exactly the same as yours!
Enjoy !