HEAD Speed MP 2024 Review

I have had the new Speed MP for a few weeks and had a lot of fun testing it. This is my HEAD Speed MP 2024 Review.

Click the link for my video review of the Speed MP.

Introduction

The HEAD Speed MP is HEAD’s bestselling racquets. It’s a versatile racquet for all-round players. I think it works best for aggressive baseliners like Jannik Sinner. The Speed MP’s success is not only due to its balanced nature but also because it is endorsed by Novak Djokovic and the aforementioned “Carota-boy”. As you might know, pros use something else under the paint, but that is neither here or there for now.

The Speed MP is similar in many ways to the other HEAD Speed 2024 Racquets. The Pro model has a denser pattern in 18×20 (review to come!) and is slightly heavier, while the MP L is the same mold and pattern, just lighter. For advanced to intermediate users, I’m sure the new Speed MP will find many adopters.

Technology

HEAD’s recent racquet updates (you can find a more structured racquet review overview in the Tennisnerd Guide to Racquets and Strings) have been pretty safe bets. The update to the Speed MP includes Auxetic 2.0, which in playability means a softer, more dampened response. The racquet feels very plush and you feel more of the tech, which is included in the yoke and the handle of the racquet.

Other than that, the stiffness rating is lower and the racquet has a bit more noticeable flex, but we will get to that in the playability chapter.

Specifications

The racquet mold is the same and many of the specs are close to identical to the outgoing Speed MP, but there is a noticeable difference in feel. Below you have the average specs from Tennis Warehouse. My copy had a slightly lower swing weight, which I think was good as I tend to prefer a swing weight of 320-325 strung.

Playability

HEAD tends to play it safe these days. They have many good racquets already, and they produce the most models of all the racquet manufacturers. They also produce with the highest frequency and consistency (two years). It’s not the strategy I would have chosen if I had a racquet brand, but it seems to work for them.

Like the other Auxetic and Auxetic 2 updates, the Speed is another incremental, subtle, yet noticeable improvement. I think the ball pocketing and comfort where the most outstanding features separating the Speed MP 2022 from the Speed MP 2024. I played both of them side by side strung with either HEAD Lynx Tour or HEAD Hawk Power at either 51 or 53 lbs.

HEAD Hawk Power at 51 lbs lacked a bit of control for me and the open string pattern of the Speed MP sent the ball flying a bit too often. Once, I had dialled it in with Lynx Tour at 53 lbs (24 kg), it played much more controlled and I felt the confidence to attack the ball better.

I am not the most natural spin player and the Pro was always my favorite in the Speed line. That is why I’m curious to start play-testing the Speed Pro 2024 this week.

So if you don’t have an issue with a slightly higher launch angle, which the MP produces, then I think you will find a lot to like. It just feels like a more comfortable, dampened and solid MP.

How does it play?

The Speed MP is, as already said, a very versatile, comfortable and playable racquet. I don’t feel enough confidence with it to make a switch, but I really enjoyed the long dwell time in the string bed. It’s not quite Clash-like, but definitely plush and flexible. If you like a crisper/stiffer feel, you will probably not enjoy the new Speed.

It does all things well, but nothing feels quite exceptional. It’s all about balance. For all-rounders and baseliners that don’t want the power or spin that those categories of racquets provide.

I like it a lot and more than the predecessor, but I think an 18×20 or 16×20 pattern would have been more suitable for my game.

Summary

An excellent update. It did not wow me in any way, but at the same it was difficult to put down. I felt the need to string it a bit higher (at least 53 lbs / 24 kg) to tame the launch angle and power a bit, but otherwise I was right at home from the first shot.

HEAD keep making good racquets better. It’s a fail-safe strategy. The new Speed does not quite excite, but I’m sure it will find plenty of fans worldwide, especially with its even more comfortable response.

Check it out through our partners at Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe, and Tennis Only. (At the time of writing, you can only find the line at TW and not TWE or TO.)