Head remakes one of the game's most iconic racquets
Introducing the Prestige Classic 2.0! Sporting the iconic maroon color that was introduced with the Prestige Pro 600 in the late 80s, this racquet is not only a great collectible, but it also offers a truly phenomenal hitting experience. With its compact head, thin 19.5mm beam, dense string pattern and low RA the Prestige Classic 2.0 delivers the buttery feedback and mindless precision of a bygone era. That said, this is no mere clone of the original. Head spent over a year experimenting with different layups in order to create a slightly more stable and powerful response without losing the sublime feel that has attracted generations of players. The upshot, according to our TW playtesters, is a more modern Prestige Classic, one that makes it easier to get the ball moving through the court. That said, even without Twaron, this modern remake still captures the magical playability that has defined this racquet since its release over 30 years ago. Get yours while supplies last. Each racquet comes with a handy cinch sack.
Although the listed head size is 600cm²-93in², the actual head size is just under 581cm²-90in².
Specs updated on 10.13.23 based on additional samples measured.
Specifications
| Head Size: 93 in² / 600 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 12.32oz / 349g | ||||
| Balance: 12.5in / 31.75cm / 8 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 329 | ||||
| Stiffness: 61 | ||||
| Beam Width: 19.5mm / 19.5mm / 19.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low | ||||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Red | ||||
| Grip Type: Leather | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 48-58 pounds |
Videos
Other paddles from this series
Customer Reviews
SingularI've played with a wide variety of racquets over the past five years, 15-20 models from different manufacturers. Even though I'll likely continue to try new racquets, my search for a grail is over. The Prestige Classic 2.0 embodies everything that made the original classic great and then some. Same heft, same buttery feel on contact, flexible but not flimsy, super stable, and offers a bit more pop off the string bed compared to the original. Once acclimated to it, the racquet has a huge sweet spot for a ~90 square inch mid, especially when strung at a lower tension. It's a racquet you need to stick with. When I first started playing with it over a year ago, I didn't love it like I do now. At some point, I was convinced that perhaps a midsize racquet is obsolete for the modern game and I switched to something more powerful and with a larger 98 square inch head size. But I started missing the feel and went back to the PC 2.0, testing various strings to find the optimal setup. I've landed on Cyclone 19. Because of the thinner gauge, it reduces swing weight by 10 points, leaving room for customization if desired; I play it stock. The thinner gauge makes the racquet play with the spin potential of a 16x19, and because of the dense string pattern pattern, going with lower tension (40 - 45 pounds) does not compromise control. The result is a super comfortable string bed with surprising power and spin potential. Plus, the reduced weight from the thin gauge string enhances racquet head speed. I'm swinging with confidence and my hitting partner says I'm playing the best tennis he's seen me play. When I go back to a modern midplus, I play worse. For 4.5+ curious about this racquet, I'd say give it a try. Don't listen to all the internet pundits saying it's too demanding for the modern game. You just might be surprised. There's nothing else like it on the market, and I have a feeling there won't be anything like it in the future.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great RacquetI'm a longtime Prestige Mid user. This version has that trademark excellent feel. For me, poly strings did not work, dampening the feel too much and hurting my shoulder. Switching to full gut made a massive difference, as this is what the racquet was really designed for. The harder you hit, the better it is. Laziness is punished but if you take full cuts at the ball, you feel like Marat Safin and can dominate your opponents. Volleys are strong, drop shots are lethal, serving is all top notch as a Prestige should be. However, for high level doubles I find I like a little extra forgiveness and tend to play with my 2023 Prestige Pro. The Classic 2.0 probably isn't a 'main' racquet, but it's akin to taking out a sports car.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Ridiculously goodDays when you lack confidence and end up pushing the ball around disappear with this frame. You can hit through opponents or beat them for pace and direction too if you want to be cruel. Opponents at the net might as well not be there. A lethal combination of maneuverability and mass. So comfortable to use, pin point accuracy, absorbs pace when volleying and just dominates the court. Surprisingly easy to generate top spin but most of the time you will just want to crush the ball.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great RacquetAwesome racquet, especially for my personal taste. I’ve always liked racquets with a classic feel, smaller head size and thin beam. The feedback from ball is fantastic, you feel every bit of it. The thin frame also gives you a fast and maneuverable swing speed. The control you get from this stick is surgical. Frames like this should always exist as an option. Lastly the paint job and overall structure of the racquet is so clean and elegant. Keep them coming.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Classic racket with great feel!This racquet has great feel and a smaller, but rewarding sweet spot. If you play against players who hit a lot of spin, the smaller frame can only be used effectively by the most skilled players. If you're playing individuals who don't put much on the ball or hit it flatter, as long as you can keep the ball on the strings, you're all good!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Amazing feeling classic frameNever was a huge fan of the prestige because they always felt very underpowered for me. This one still felt underpowered just like the old prestige's of the past. However, the feel and touch are amazing. It feels satisfying to serve and volley with this racquet. Unfortunately, it's very unforgiving because of the dense string pattern and really small head size. Overall, fun racquet to play, but don't recommend in the era of topspin hitting. There's a reason you don't see this type of frame on the ATP tour anymore.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Still one of the best racquetsAwesome control racquet, love that whippy headlight balance and traditional feel. Gives me the confidence to swing out everytime to go for my shots that I simply couldn't find with current generation gears. The racquet will require proper setup and stroke, and will punish any sort of laziness, but will reward with fast heavy balls for your opponents when done right. Strung mine with X-One Bi-phase & Head Lynx at 44 pounds, super comfortable setup.
From Zero to Hero - Update to March 17 reviewI strung the mains at 42 pounds (Tecnifibre 4S 17) and the crosses at 46 pounds (Babolat RPM Soft 17). Now, the racquet sings! Same swing weight, balance and static weight as my MG and YouTek IG Prestige Mid's. Surprisingly, the Classic 2.0 is now my go-to stick. Buttery feel like my MG's? No. Stiffer? Yes, but not harsh. The feel is crisp, while maintaining just enough dwell time and ball pocketing to feel a connection with the ball. The amount of drive and spin I'm getting is unreal, given the 90 square inch head size. Playing with the MG and YouTek IG Prestige Mid's since 2008 and having those sticks and the Classic 2.0 identical in swing weight, balance, and static weight certainly helps. (Yes, the former customized by RPNY). The TW MRT team did a fantastic job in matching four of the Classic 2.0's. Now, I may have to obtain a few more to future proof my playing days :)
Classic? Not so sure.Finally, someone else who finds the Classic 2.0 on the stiff side. I agree with Anonymous from GA, United States on March 02, 2024. I started out with the Head Microgel Prestige Mid, then switched and played with the Head YouTek IG Prestige Mid for 11 years, before recently going back to the MG Prestige Mid (spec'ed it out to 330g 310mm 297 swingweight, unstrung). When the Classic 2.0 came out, I read the reviews on how plush it was, etc. Being a Prestige Mid person, I had to give it a try. My initial concern was that the racquet would be too soft. After all, the MG and YouTek IG are supposedly 63 RA on stiffness. The Classic 2.0 has an RA of 61, according to TW. I tried the same hybrid string setup on the Classic 2.0 as my MG and YouTek IG. Too harsh. I went down four pounds and still too harsh. Then, I talked to a Head guy at Indian Wells. He said the Classic 2.0 will be stiffer and have a smaller sweet spot. He's absolutely correct, IMHO. He recommended I try a hybrid setup with gut in the mains. He also said if I'm dialed-in with my MG's, stick with them. Got that right. Though the Classic may be great for some, it's not for me. Too stiff. I'm sticking with the plush buttery feel of my Microgels. Fortunately, I was able to recently find some brand-new old stock MG Prestige Mids! Lucky me :) For those liking the Classic 2.0, best to you! Cheers!
P.S. I do think it's great that Head did a re-issue. I hope they continue to do so with other classics of theirs.
They ruined it.Too stiff. Without the secret ingredient Twaron, just another overpowered, stiff offering from Head. Get any Prestige, i Prestige or earlier( still made in Austria) for a great control racquet. Tons on ebay.