HEAD Instinct MP 2022

The Instinct line from HEAD isn’t dead! Instead, the HEAD Instinct MP 2022 has been revealed as a cosmetic update.

The HEAD Instinct MP 2022 is a “bluer” version of the HEAD Instinct MP 2021 that I reviewed last year. I enjoyed that racquet a lot and thought it was easy power and spin potential without the harshness of some other racquets in the category. My hitting partner Sebastian also tried the racquet and decided to switch from this old Pure Drive to the Instinct MP.

I’m not sure I prefer the new graphics, but that’s a personal taste. The new one is to the left and the outgoing one (which I’m sure you can find at a good price at the moment), is to the right.

Cosmetics

Specifications

The racquet specs come from Tennis Warehouse. You can also buy the racquet from Tennis Warehouse Europe and Tennis Only (older paint job).

Head Size: 100 in / 645.16 cm
Length: 27in / 68.58cm
Strung Weight:11.2oz / 318g
Balance: 12.99in / 32.99cm / 4 pts HL
Swingweight: 313
Stiffness: 64
Beam Width: 23mm / 26mm / 23mm
Composition: Graphene 360+/Graphite
Racquet Colors:Blue
Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro
String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,8H Two Pieces, No Shared Holes

Player level

This racquet works well for all levels of intermediate players. It has a low swing weight which makes it easy to swing but it might lack some stability against bigger hitters.

NTRP +3.0
UTR +3.5

You can see a chart for player ratings here.

Player type

This racquet works well for baseliners who need some assistence with power and depth.

Verdict

I like the Instinct and I think it competes well against other power racquets like:

Babolat Pure Drive (the Instinct offers a bit less power/stability, but faster and better comfort)
Yonex Ezone 100 (a bit faster and more connected but a smaller sweet spot)
Wilson Ultra 100 (more comfortable and aerodynamic)
Dunlop FX 500 (more comfortable, but with a higher launch angle)

I’m happy that HEAD didn’t remove the Instinct MP, but they do have a lot of racquets and the Boom MP plays fairly close with a more flexible and responsive feel at the cost of less power.