Head Youtek Speed Mid Plus & Pro — Racket Review

i like the speed pro a lot. The heavier frame makes me hit my serve faster, with more control.

I generate sufficient power, but was having a hard time spinning my ground strokes. My pro suggested I try a heavy, control racquet...and he was right! I can spin it like a politician with the Head Youtek MP. It helps me swing through the ball more and release my wrist and arm. I'm not pushing my ground strokes. However, on volleys, you may find it bulky and hard to maneuver...I do, and I'm 6-3, 250. If you are going from a power racquet to the Youtek, and you're technique is not solid, you may be in for a frustrating day. There is good feel, but little forgiveness; if you don't hit the sweet spot, the ball just dies. This can cause a happy accident on occasion, but not consistent. I sometimes use my old 2001 Prince Triple Threat Hornet when playing doubles for this reason. Surprisingly, I don't have much trouble switching back and forth between the two.

Peace.

I finally bought two of the 18x20 Speed MP frames in late July after demoing it and several similar racquets from Head, Wilson, and Prince through June and July. I am COMPLETELY satisfied! I played in college and then 3-4 times a week through my 20s before the demands of a new job and growing family pulled me away from the game. I'm 54 now, but my 15-year-old son's growing interest (kindled by watching Tennis Channel with me early mornings and late nights last summer) spurred me to get my own game back in shape. Fortunately, I found that--while I've lost a couple of steps--I'm still in good enough shape (thanks to the past 30 years of playing softball shortstop) to cover the court and play the same aggressive baseline game I enjoyed 25 years ago, only now at a 3.5 to 4.0 level. I still had the Head Graphite Edge frames I'd bought in 1984 and restrung probably a dozen times, but after just a couple of sessions the old dried out grommet strips started to break up, shedding bits of black plastic with each hit, so I knew I had to get new racquets. I felt loyal to Head, but also wanted to give the latest frames from Wilson and Prince a try, so I started ordering demos from a couple of the large Internet outlets. To me, the Speed MP 18x20 was the frame that provided the best blend of control, pace, feel, and maneuverability. I got both frames strung at 57 with Head FXP Power 16 (it was free), but when I popped my first string last month, my local pro restrung it for me with Wilson Sensation 17 at 58, and I love the combination. GET YOUR OWN Speed MP! You won't be sorry!

Love the racquet, had one for a while now, it plays great

Great review, and I can say that is totally true. I own a Speed PRO version, strung with Kirsb P2 @26Kg, and much more spin you give during the paly, much power you have and even the control. The shot is really precise and it goes where you are directing. I will try sooner to mount Tecnifibre string X-One B-Phase 1.24mm, the same used by Novak, and I will see if I can get more sensitivity.

Enjoy playing tennis guys!
Davide

Hey Davide! Thanks for the post. Great to hear your thoughts on the racket.

I am a fairly new tennis player (about 8 months, no lessons other than FYB), 45 y/o, male, fairly fit and active. I am playing 5+ times per week and have entered a local mixed doubles league and a tournament at 3.0 level for singles, doubles and mixed double (yes, I've been bit by the tennis bug). My goal is to be playing at 3.5 level by year end and 4.0 by this time next year. I have two questions:

First, I demo'd the Head Speed MP and Head Speed Pro and liked both racquets and am considering buying the MP. I'm trying to decide whether I should be using a racquet like this or whether I should get an oversized racquet because of my skill level. While I have tried an oversize racquet and it certainly is more forgiving, won't this slow my progress as far as fine tuning my ball striking?

Second, I'm drawn to the feel of heavier racquets. The Pro is 335g and has a very solid ball striking feeling. I tried the Radical Lite (255g) and just hated the feeling. Are the Pro and MP too heavy for a player of my skill level?

I'm in the process of demoing a lot of racquets figure out what I like, but these basic topics could narrow the field quite a bit.

Thanks, Curtis

Is this the same racket professional player Andy Murry is using ?

andy murray uses head youtek radical racquets, i dont know which one though

Very thorough review. It would be informative to see some serves and your comments on how the raquets responded.

I bought Speed MP 18x20 two weeks ago. It is the best racket I have ever played. Previously, I was using Wilson K Blade 98. This new YouTek racket makes my slice and serve much better. The volley is effortless with this stick as well. It seems has less pace on the forehand power shot compare with K Blade 98, but has better feel and control though. BTW, I used Head Sonic Pro string.

personally...the racquet head's design feel a little off to me...may be it's just an optical illusion but often time the racquet would look warped. The frame doesn't feel very solid and I can't quite control the ball as well as with my K-Six-One

I bought a speed pro just after they came out and regretted it as I found it very harsh and vibration prone. Don't buy this if you don't want to get tennis elbow!

Hello! I buy a MP 16 19 . Very happy with it ! More control and my backhand is better than with wilson k blade 98 !

Congratulation man! I learned the correct hits with your site ! Thanks

Cos

I have tried the Speed MP. I am a 5+ player and usually play with the Nadal racquet. The MP is a very slow and control oriented racquet. It was very good on the slice backhand but you have to hit hard to generate pace in the ball. To me, the Youtek technologie is a lot of marketing so if you want a fast stick go for a stiffer frame but if you want a slow stick go for the Youtek.

It would be good to mention that a huge advantage of 18x20 is that forgiving spin friendly multi filament strings will last a lot longer. Breaking strings every 10 hours is a real ha$$le. Switching to poly is hard on the body. 18x20 should provide plenty of spin with the correct technique, no?

how does the frame know when it should stiffen up?

Bought the mid plus 16 x 19 and am very happy with it. In addition to the positives that Will laid out, I really like the weight of the racquet. It's about a 1/2 ounce or so lighter than the youtek pro and the wilson k factor Tour (Fed's racquet). For me that change just made it a little easier to maneuver and a little less taxing on my arm, but still provided enough weight so it still feels very much like a "player's" racquet.

nice review. the more i think about the racquet the more i want it (why on earth dont they sell one here :()

You can demo one for free from TennisExpress.com -- click the link right below the video.

ok thanks, although i dont think my dad would like it because we bought the (k)blade team a month ago so maybe ill just demo it once my racquet is broken or i cant play with it any more. ill think about it though

i think they dont give a demo to iceland

Did you go to Davidson?

Affirmative

I forgot I'd asked this. I graduated from Davidson in 1994 and played on the team my first two years. Well done. Great site.

Ah nice. I'm going back in a few weeks for my 5 year reunion (yikes).

Hi,
I bought one "speed pro" and I am very happy with it.
Good presentation!Good work in all your lessons!
I would like to present also a tennis lesson to show us the backhand slice.
I am left handed,amatour,38 years and I learned very much from your lessons.Very good job man.You are the most complete on internet lessons.
From Roumania,
Calin Tamas

decent review - would be better if you try volley in the review.

very nice review :)