HEAD Extreme Pro Review (2024)

The HEAD Extreme Tour has changed name to the HEAD Extreme Pro, but kept its mold. What is new besides the name?

If you go back to the 360+ Extremes, the “Pro” was a 100 sq inch, heavier option with a denser string pattern. That racquet is now gone from the Extreme line-up. So to make the different HEAD tennis racquets more coherent in terms of naming, the Tour has become Pro, similar to what occurs in the Radical and Speed lines, for example.

This HEAD Extreme Pro review was done over several weeks with several string setups and play-testers. As always, we try to be as unbiased as we can when testing gear, but what is written below and talked about in the YouTube version of the review are our subjective opinions. I hope this can guide you in our purchasing process, but the best idea is to demo the racquet to see if it works for you.

Tech

What is new in the HEAD Extreme Pro 2024 compared to the outgoing Extreme Tour? The mold is the same (meaning the racquet’s structure), but this is Auxetic 2.0, meaning this technology is also in the handle, not only in the yoke piece, as with Auxetic 1.0.

The idea is to dampen more vibrations and give the racquet a better feel, according to HEAD’s marketing. For 2024, Head adds Auxetic 2 to the layup, a uniquely flexible material in the yolk and handle to optimize the racket’s feel and response, writes Tennis Warehouse Europe on their website. Remember that you can get 10% off all not-already-discounted products using the code TNERD10.

We will discuss whether the addition of Auxetic tech to the handle works or not. But no matter what, the update is pretty minor.

Specifications

The specs of the HEAD Extreme Pro is very similar to the predecessor, so not much to look at here. I would say, though, that it felt like the Tour always needed weight added, but it is not so obvious here as the racquet plays with better stability and a more forgiving sweet spot.

Our demo came in close to spot-on to the listed specs.

How does it play?

As we write above, this HEAD Extreme Pro Review was done using multiple string setups. HEAD Hawk Touch , HEAD Lynx Tour, NordicDots TS, and a Luxilon Alu Power/Element Hybrid.

All the testing reveals the case with previous versions of this racquet. It is string sensitive, meaning that it responds well to some string setups and tensions and less well to others. The Hawk Touch and NordicDots TS (excellent spin string, which you can get 15% off using TENNISNERD15) worked best for us at around 50 lbs (22.5 kg).

Bear in mind that no matter what string, the racquet is made to have a high launch angle. Still, the 98 sq inch head and mid stiffness does not make it powerful. It is a spin-oriented control racquet for modern players that hit with top spin technique. Flatter shots have a tendency to fly with this racquet.

This is one of those racquets I have always loved on the one-handed backhand. It is very efficient and feels “right” on that shot. You can see why Musetti uses this mold for his game. Henrik, who uses a double-hander and prefers more powerful racquet, enjoyed the MP more than the Pro, however.

Overall, the Extreme Pro delivers a controlled response if you are a modern intermediate to advanced player looking for extra spin and height over the net. You won’t get the same power as for example, the Babolat Pure Aero 98, but on the flip side, you will achieve better control. But how does it compare to its predecessor?

Should you upgrade?

Let’s say you play with a HEAD Extreme Tour Auxetic, but you feel like it is a bit unforgiving and uncomfortable, but you still love playing with it. Then, this HEAD Extreme Pro 2024 will be a good choice for you. The addition of Auxetic in the handle filters out vibrations and improves the comfort a bit. The sweet spot does feel a bit bigger on the new HEAD Extreme Pro, which limits the need to add weight, which I ended up doing both for the 360+ Extreme Tour and the Extreme Tour Auxetic.

So in those cases, this is a significant upgrade. But.

And this will not be a “but” for all players since feel is subjective. But I did feel like the Extreme Pro 2024 has too much dampening for me to entirely trust the racquet. I play pretty well with it, but I don’t feel connected to it. The sensation when striking the ball is artificial and “plasticky”. I miss the old-school Graphite response. This is a classic issue when you add dampening in the handle of tennis racquets. Yonex had a similar issue with their Vibration Dampening Mesh for example and Wilson’s Countervail tech was unconvincing to many.

It is not quite as muted as the above examples, but I don’t particularly enjoy the feel of this racquet. I hit a decent ball with it, but overall I feel like I play better and enjoy the predecessor more.

Henrik had a similar response to the MP and the Pro. He lacked a connection to the ball. And although he could hit some great strikes, he did not do it with a smile on his face and that is pretty telling.

Summary

There is no doubt that plenty of people will enjoy the HEAD Extreme Pro 2024 for its mix of control, spin, improved sweet spot, and comfort. But some will complain about the muted response. The feel is, like most things, subjective, but several of the players who tried this frame with me noted the issue with dampening, so it has to be mentioned.

The Pro will find its share of fans who like the improvements done, but if I don’t enjoy the feel of a racquet, I won’t be happy playing with it, which will creep into my results.

The Auxetic tech in HEAD racquets gives me mixed emotions. In some control racquets like the Gravity Pro and the Radical MP, it felt like the Auxetic 1.0 improved the feel of the frame. But perhaps adding Auxetic 2.0 is a step too far. I wasn’t convinced about the new HEAD Speed MP 2024 and now I have similar feelings about the Extreme. I did enjoy the Boom Pro, but the Prestige felt a bit disconnected as well.

We will see what happens as more silos roll out with Auxetic 2.0. I assume Radical is next.

I am keen to hear your thoughts about this racquet and the HEAD Extreme Pro Review in the comments below.