HEAD Radical MP 18/20 Review

We have gotten many requests to create a HEAD Radical MP 18/20 review. What happens if the popuar Radical gets a denser string pattern?

Introduction

This is a Tennis-Point unique racquet in my guesstimation as I have not seen it available from other retailers. CORRECTION: It is available as the HEAD Radical Tour from Tennis Warehouse Europe. The brands offer certain models only for different markets or retailers. For the new HEAD Extremes, there is a heavier MP model with a denser string pattern (used to be called Pro) available only in Italy, for example.

Ps. There is also a HEAD Radical Pro 18/20 version that I haven’t yet tested. Ds.

I am a HEAD Radical MP fan. I used the MP for a while as my main racquet before my current bout of racquet confusion (you can read more about my racquet conundrum on my Patreon).

Specifications

The specifications are pulled from the Tennis Warehouse Europe website, which only has the regular 16/19 version. But besides the string pattern, it is the same racquet. When you add more strings, you will have a higher strung swing and static weight.

Technology

Like all new HEAD tennis racquets, the Radical MP comes with Auxetic construction. This is still the first generation of Auxetic, which only adds this tech to the yoke to create a sensation of more flex and ball feel.

HEAD racquets also come with Graphene 360+, which is supposed to strengthen the racquet.

Who is it for?

The Radical is for players who want a versatile racquet for their all-court game. You need to generate your own pace and good stroke mechanics and footwork is required to utilize this racquet to its full potential. It is not an easy racquet to use and might require a little bit of lead tape to open up more power with a slightly higher swing weight.

All-court baseliners or aggressive strikers will enjoy the precision and confidence that this Radical MP 18/20 brings.

Playability and performance

This racquet plays close to identical to the 16/19 version of the HEAD Radical MP. The priority is put on players wanting control and confidence. It is a modern control racquet, though, giving you some power, too, similar to a Wilson Blade 98 or the Solinco Whiteout 18/20.

Feel and Comfort

The feel of the Radical is not quite the plush, pocketing sensation of yesteryear but a more “crisp,” firm, and direct effect when the ball hits the strings. I have not experienced any issues with comfort and the racquet is not overly muted. I would say that compared to the Radical MP Graphene 360+, the comfort is improved.

Power and Control

The control with the Radical MP 18/20 is excellent. This is no Prestige, but it will give you enough confidence to go for your shots. The Radical 18/20 offers a lower trajectory and more precision than the standard Radical MP. You are not getting a lot of free depth or power with this racquet. It is for players that can generate their own pace.

Spin and Launch

For an 18/20, it has a bit higher launch than some other dense pattern racquets on the market, but it is still relatively low. You are not going to get a high launch angle or your shots kicking up off the ground unexpectedly with this one. It is for players who want to hit aggressively with confidence. However, you do get a nice “biting” slice from the string bed.

Stroke by stroke

You get the typical control racquet response from the groundstrokes—nothing unexpected, but also nothing for free. The same goes for the serve. If you want help on your serve, a racquet like this does not give you anything extra. This racquet shines on volleys with its good stability and precision. The racquet is all about control.

Strings

For this HEAD Radical MP 18/20 review, I tested the racquet with a variety of different string options. Multi/poly hybrid, full bed of poly low tension, poly/poly hybrid. Like most dense string pattern racquets, you can take the recent RF 01 as an example; it played best with either a multi or gut/poly hybrid or with a full bed of low-tension poly. With low tension, I mean 20 kg (44 lbs) or lower.

I enjoy HEAD Lynx Tour for good spin potential and bite on the ball. It is not a comfortable string, however. I also liked Toroline Toro Toro and I think it could play very nicely with a Toroline hybrid like the K-Pro.

You can also put a multifilament like RS New York in the mains and a round poly in the crosses. I think that played very nicely. Just keep the tension low unless you are a beast of a player.

Customization

The racquet came in at a low 320-strung swing weight with a standard poly. For an 18/20 control racquet, that does not give me enough power for my game. I liked it more with some weight at the hoop, either 2 grams at 12 or 3-4 grams total at 10 and 2.

I would counter-balance the head weight with a leather grip or some silicone in the handle. You can also wrap lead tape underneath the base grip, but some extra handle weight worked well for me in this racquet.

Like all things tennis racquets, these are all personal tweaks that works for my game, but it can give you some ideas on tweaking the racquet to improve the performance.

Summary

This HEAD Radical MP 18/20 review went as expected. It plays very similar to the standard Radical MP, but with a lower trajectory and a tad better control. Is it worth purchasing if you already own the Radical MP? I don’t think so, unless you are an 18/20 fanboy or girl. The regular Radical gives you a bit more on the ball, which I think is mainly helpful in modern tennis. But if 18/20 is your jam and you don’t want a Prestige Pro, then this racquet is a great competitor to racquets like the Blade 98 18/20 or the Solinco Whiteout 18/20.

The Yonex Percept 97D is noticeably heavier than these racquets and the Babolat Pure Strike 98 18/20 is more powerful.

I hope this review gives you an idea of whether this racquet is for you or not. Let us know in the comments if you are helped by this review or if you have any questions.