The HEAD Prestige 2023 Review deals with the Prestige Tour, Pro, MP and MP L. It has also been called Prestige Auxetic 2.0.
HEAD Prestige 2023 Review
There is a new line of Prestige racquets on the block. We have had four racquets to test over a period of weeks and below you can read our verdict. If you prefer, there is also a Prestige Auxetic 2.0 video review here.
So, what is new in the HEAD Prestige 2023? The racquets play similarly to the HEAD Prestige 2021 racquets, but they are somewhat refined. I prefer the Auxetic 2.0 version over the predecessor, but I understand if some players struggle to tell a difference. You can read more about the Auxetic technology here.
You can purchase the new HEAD Prestige 2023 racquets from Tennis Warehouse.
HEAD Prestige Tour
The Tour model is the most unforgiving, with a true 95 sq inch head size. This was Nikki’s favorite, and he liked it so much he could play a tournament with it. The specifications are similar to the previous generation, but the stiffness is slightly lower, and the swing weight is also reduced. Both changes are positive.
The racquet played with excellent plow-through, stability, feel, and control. But it was too demanding for most play-testers. If you are an aspiring pro or just love smaller head sizes and heavier racquets, this one might be a great option.
It’s easier to use than the predecessor, but still a demanding racquet with a relatively small audience.
| Head Size: 95 in / 612.9 cm | ||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||
| Strung Weight:11.7oz / 332g | ||
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL | ||
| Swingweight: 330 | ||
| Stiffness: 62 | ||
| Beam Width: 22mm / 22mm / 22mm | ||
| Composition: Auxetic 2/Graphene Inside/Graphite | ||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||
| Racquet Colors:Maroon | ||
| Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro | ||
String Pattern:
|
HEAD Prestige Pro
I loved the HEAD Prestige MP 360+, which is the model that predated the first Auxetic Prestige. They changed the name from MP to Pro, which makes sense since this racquet is difficult to play with. Dense string pattern, thin beam, low stiffness. It’s a classic racquet with a slightly larger head size. Great for precision, tougher on defense. But if you love being connected to every shot, this is one of the best racquets on the market. I didn’t like the Prestige Pro 2021, but this one felt softer to me. Looking at the specifications below, I can see they really dialed down the stiffness towards PT57A levels.
Fantastic racquet, just too demanding for most players.
| Head Size: 98 in / 632.26 cm | ||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||
| Strung Weight:11.9oz / 337g | ||
| Balance: 12.59in / 31.98cm / 7 pts HL | ||
| Swingweight: 324 | ||
| Stiffness: 58 | ||
| Beam Width: 20mm / 20mm / 20mm | ||
| Composition: Auxetic 2/Graphene Inside/Graphite | ||
| Power Level: Low | ||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||
| Racquet Colors: Maroon | ||
| Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro | ||
String Pattern:
|
HEAD Prestige MP
This is the most complicated racquet to understand for me. It has a relatively high swing weight (around 330 strung), a 99 sq inch head size and an 18×19 string pattern. It is smack down in the middle of control racquets, but it makes it lack a bit of identity. The Pro and the Tour are tough to use, but they offer a beautiful feel and precision when you are playing well. This one is somewhat easier to use, but the rewards are not that strong. The feel and control is simply not quite as good as with the racquets above. I struggled to understand this one, but I know it has a fanbase out there.
Specifications are not yet live on the Tennis Warehouse website for the Prestige MP 2023.
HEAD Prestige MP L
This is what I would call a “sleeper” racquet. An excellent frame that is easily overlooked because it has the name Midplus Light. Yes, it is lighter than the racquets above, but still, 300 grams unstrung, and with some customization it can turn into quite a solid weapon.
Somewhat surprisingly, they really managed to capture the Prestige feel with this one. This racquet is soft on the arm, pockets the ball well, and despite being a control racquet, can offer some power and spin.
Control freaks might struggle with the higher launch angle from the 16×19 pattern. But this is something you can reduce with the right string choice, perhaps adding a gut or multi in the mains.
This turned out to be my personal favorite, with the Prestige Pro coming in at a close second. Excellent racquet.
| Head Size: 99 in / 638.71 cm | ||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||
| Strung Weight:11.2oz / 318g | ||
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL | ||
| Swingweight: 309 | ||
| Stiffness: 61 | ||
| Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm | ||
| Composition: Auxetic 2/Graphene Inside/Graphite | ||
| Power Level: Low | ||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||
| Racquet Colors:Maroon | ||
| Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro | ||
String Pattern:
|
Summary
This is a slight update from the 2021 version. The improvements are subtle, even when looking at the cosmetic, but the more you play with the racquets, the stronger they become. The softer feel and reduction in swing weight in some models are clear steps in the right direction. I think all racquets played better, and I did enjoy the play-test immensely. However, the Prestige MP is still difficult for me to place in terms of playing demographic.
In short, if you want control and feel, the Prestige line still delivers in spades!
7 comments
Thank you for great reviews. May I ask you which are your favourite Prestige rackets from this edition and the 2021 edition? I was rather confused that you say that you didn’t like Prestige PRO 2021, but, in the review two years ago, you wrote that it was your favourite racket of the bunch. I am asking because I was thinking about buying the Prestie PRO in the future. Thanks a lot. Kind regards, Pavel
So did you like the previous prestige mp better, the 2021 version? Is the 2023 prestige mp less controlled or solid? Looking at your review from the 2021 prestige mp it seemed more positive. You called the prestige mp 2021 a sleeper here you called the prestige mp l 2023 a sleeper. Also compared to tennis warehouse sw measurements it seems the prestige mp 2021 sw is quite a bit lower at 326 than the 334 of the 2021 model. The prestige mp l 2023 is also a bit lower at 309 vs 314 of the prestige mp l 2023. This makes it harder to put it up near the 320 range. A sw of 309 really is too low for most.
Thank you for great reviews. May I ask you which are your favourite Prestige rackets from this edition and the 2021 edition? I was rather confused that you say that you didn’t like Prestige PRO 2021, but, in the review two years ago, you wrote that it was your favourite racket of the bunch. I am asking because I was thinking about buying the Prestige PRO in the future. Thanks a lot. Kind regards, Pavel
Remember to update with the data/specs for the Prestige MP 2023
Got 3 Prestige MP 2021…under spec. 305 grams. +/- 1,5 gram.
I think this is the best Speed racket….if you get my point. Plays somewhere between the Speed MP and Speed Pro.
The Prestige MP 2021/2023 is something that Sinner or Medvedev could play with… and easily transition to almost without any modding.
I think maybe the closest we get to be able to buy something retail that is close to a pro stock kinda racket.
tjek the Tennis Warehouse Europe Prestige MP 2023 (store order page),
where the specs for the Head Prestige MP are listet:
Head Size: 99 in2 / 639 cm2
Length: 27in / 68,5cm
Strung Weight: 326g / 11,5oz
Unstrung Weight: 310g/10,9oz
Balance: 33,2cm / 3 pts HL
Unstrung Balance: 32cm/7 pts HL
Swingweight: 323
Stiffness: 62
Beam Width: 21,5mm / 21,5mm / 21,5mm