I have had my first hit with the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 and here is the first part of my HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 Review: my first impressions.
This post will later be updated with some footage of my first hit with the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0. I didn’t think I would be able to find a tennis court, but if you’re desperate enough…
The HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 is the rebirth of a classic. It has the same design as the original, but a stiffer layup. It also lacks Twaron, a material that the hardcore Pro Tour 630/280 fans claim to be the magic ingredient. So how does it compare to the legendary Head Pro Tour 630/280? A more full-length HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 Review is to come, but here are my first impressions.
HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 – First impressions
Most players were worried about the listed stiffness rating of 65 RA strung from the Tennis Warehouse spec page. I can safely say that this seems high. When you are hitting with the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0, you’re getting that classic, plush feel that the PT57 line of racquet got famous for. Perhaps it is not quite as plush and flexy as the original, but it is damn close.
I would put this racquet somewhere in between the iPrestige MP (PT57E) and the HEAD Pro Tour 630/280 (PT57A). It is a crisper form of the latter. You get some extra free power and stability compared to the original, but sacrifice a little bit of flex and feel. I think this one is easier to swing and use, so it is a tradeoff I am willing to take.
Some player ask about the grip shape. Most HEAD racquets come with the rounder pallets these days (TK82S), but the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 has the more rectangular TK82 pallet. My specs for this play-test were: 339g, 32 cm balance (7 pts HL) and 327.5 SW. With a dampener, I am sure it climbed up to 330.
You need to be on your game
As you probably know, I have a lot of love for this racquet. The great blend of precision and connection to the ball is hard to beat. It is one of the best racquets of all time, no doubt about it. But the time I thought I played my best tennis with heavy 95 sq inch racquets is gone. These days I appreciate a more forgiving head size and sweet spot. Comparing this racquet to a customized HEAD Gravity (they are both in the 330 SW range), the Gravity was just a lot easier to use. Yes, it does not give me the control of the PT 2.0, but it is easier to generate spin and depth. And the improved consistency with a larger sweet spot is definitely a factor. I am not Tommy Haas.
Compared to other 95 sq inch racquets it is great though. And the re-launch of HEAD Pro Tour makes it possible to try this legendary frame without hunting down expensive PT57A pro stocks on forums. It is still a great frame, but it also sobers you up about your own tennis-playing abilities. If you want to be consistent and win matches, you are likely better off with another frame. If you are all about enjoying the feeling of hitting the ball in practice, the HEAD Pro Tour 2.0 might be your new best friend.
1 comment
Great work getting to a court! It’s also possible now in the UK thankfully.
I’m not saying this racket isn’t good or your review accurate, but I have concerns about this and similar rackets that are only available from TW. Is this really a Head, when it’s not even on their website? There are other ‘classic’ frames available from TW like the Prince POG and Wilson 6.1 95 that similarly have slightly different paintjobs to the originals. I slightly suspect that TW has arranged to produce these under license from the original manufacturers, using third-party manufacturers. I’m sure they can get great materials and turn out a quality product, but is it really a Head/Wilson/Prince? To me it looks like a classic marketing arrangement to attract nostalgic people, but at the same time I feel it slightly diminishes the original product.
What do you think? Does it seem like a real Head or are there any clues that look different to you? In fairness, it’s highly likely that all the big companies use the same manufacturers in China, so it’s not really ‘fake’, but I would rather see identical re-issues than slightly different versions.
Anyway, what’s your plan for the other strings? I saw you had it quite high for a 18×20. What about a full bed of multi or a softer hybrid at 52lbs?
Keep up the good work! Cheers.