Overview
The latest update to the Speed MP doubles down on the outstanding feel and controllable power that has long defined the Speed franchise. Compared to the Speed Pro, the Speed MP 2022 is not only lighter and faster, it also packs a more modern and spin-friendly string pattern. Ball feedback is impressive thanks in part to its classic straight beam and sub 65-RA. For 2022, Head keeps Graphene 360+, which combines the stability and power of Graphene 360 with SpiralFibers in the lower head for a cleaner feel at impact. Head also adds a uniquely flexible Auxetic construction in the yoke, which calibrates ball feedback to impact force. Intermediate and advanced players looking for controllable power and great feel will love this one.
Specifications
| Head Size: 100 in / 645.16 cm | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.1oz / 315g | ||||
| Balance: 13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 323 | ||||
| Stiffness: 62 | ||||
| Beam Width: 23mm / 23mm / 23mm | ||||
| Composition: Graphene 360+/Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors:White/Black | ||||
| Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 48-57 pounds |
Videos
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Customer Reviews
Love itThe racquet has a great feel and I quickly felt comfortable with it. I saw an improvement in my forehand shots with a little extra spin. I love it.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Bad quality control but good racquetThe racquet is 323 grams (strung) due to the unfortunate quality control issue (+6 grams). So there is a risk to lose much of the "speed" and potential to customize. Nonetheless, it is a good racquet, love the spin and the power.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
My favorite racquetAt my current advanced beginner level, this racquet is truly helping me improve every aspect of my game. Well balanced.
Excellent feel and controlI'm an old school player learning the new strokes. I actually strung these racquets as a hybrid. This racquet has excellent feel and control and a fairly big sweet spot.
It's not hard on the arm. I don't require a racquet for power since I have my own power. I find this racquet similar to the Blade 100 and the new Percept 100.
Great racquetI just switched from the Wilson Pro Staff RF97, which is VERY heavy. I thought that as a regular weights user, the heavier racquet would be great for me. After trying my son's Head Speed MP, I realized I got way more touch and control with the lighter Speed. I was able to keep the ball in the court easier, and I really didn't see an issue with power loss. I also found my touch was much better on drop shots with the racquet. My serve still had as much power as ever, per my opponents. I'm very happy with my purchase.
Head Speed MPI love the racquet, as I get great spin but the power is lacking. The racquet is pretty good for control and I had no real complaints serving. However my only criticism is that my racquet grip is too small, since it shifts in my hand when I hit the ball no matter how I hold it. I got a grip size two but maybe get a size three if you have bigger hands.
Head Speed MPFor me, it came down to the Head Speed MP, the Speed Pro, Radical Pro and the Yonex EZONE 100. All great sticks, but the 100 sq inch head size along with the 16 x 19 string pattern was hard to beat. I like the uniform beam width. I prefer the weight and balance of the Head Radical Pro, but it was easy to add lead tape to the Speed MP to compensate. This stick does groundstrokes and volleys equally well and supplied good power and control with a hybrid string setup.
Good racquet for juniorI bought this racket for my 11yo son. We used Demo Racket program at Tennis Warehouse which we absolutely love!! We tried 3 different racquets and the Head Speed was his decision. It’s a very versatile racquet, forgiving but it can produce a power shot when needed.
Head Speed MP 2022Versatile all-court racquet with hybrid strings provides exceptional spin, control and adequate power.
Had Major Tennis Elbow IssueI normally don't write reviews for the products I use but I had to comment on this version of the Head Speed MP. I've been playing with the various iterations of this racquet for over a decade and I quickly fell into a groove with this racquet. That is until I got the new 2022 version this past spring. I'm in my mid-60s and never had major elbow issues (right handed). I prepped this racquet as I always did using Tecnifibre 17 guage X1 biphase and a small amount of lead at 3 and 9. I enjoyed this racquet but within a few weeks my elbow started complaining. I did not even think about the racquet as being part of the problem but it got worse and worse. Like an idiot I ignored it as best I could but finally at the end of April I simply could not play anymore.
So its five months later and after endless hours of rest, therapy, ice/heat, graston, massage, strengthing, etc. I finally started hitting again towards the end of August '23. I started with my oldest MP rackets and after a couple of weeks finally work my way back to the 2022 model, which from day one I always thought had more flex than previous generations.
After hitting for about 30 minutes that familar tension and pain in the lateral elbow ligament came back and I am now firmly convinced that the racket was the problem all along. I've been playing from 25 years (late starter) and I've never had this type of issue.
So bottom line I'm done with the Head MP Speed. Until I can find a replacement I'll use my older rackets. I feel like I've lost a dear old friend.
Speed MP AuxeticConvert from Pure Strike series. Like controlled power with slightly wider beam than traditional players' frames (e.g., blade, pro staff) but wanted a little more flex and feel. Speed MP is great out of the box. Could have a tad more plow through but this was intentional with this version to make more maneuverable which is a good trade!
Head Speed MPSo far I have only played with this racquet a few times. It plays well from the baseline, at the net and volleys. It provides good feel and is maneuverable. I strung the racquet with Solinco Hyper G at 52 lbs and feel that it would play better for me if I strung it at slightly higher tension.
Pretty Awesome OverallIf you have an all-court game, the versatility of this frame is sure to please. Works well in all areas of the court and the softer feel, compared to the previous version, is absolutely buttery. Very comfortable and maneuverable. Quite agile at net for a 100sq inch head.
The low swing weight is great for whippy topspin shots but probably not so much for flat ball strikers, although this could easily be fixed by adding some weight at 9&3.
At 300g unstrung, there is plenty of room to customize.
Kind of a 'Jack of all trades; master of none' type of racquet, but still very fun to play with none the less. Most certainly my favorite iteration of the Speed to date.
All round great racquetThis racquet does everything very well, groundstrokes are solid and powerful with great comfort on the arm. Volleys are stable with great feel on touch shots. Serves are easy with plenty of pace and spin. Easy to maneuver around on both forehand and backhand with great slice when returning quick serves.
Great RacquetThis new version of the MP is less stiff and more maneuverable than the last version. It has a great combination of power, spin, control and stability, which is rare to find all 4 in a racquet. It's surprising very stable against heavy ball, something I wasn't expecting base on others reviews and base on the specs. I thought I would have to add some lead for stability and plow through. For reference, I am a 5.0-5.5, with a western forehand and a 2hbh.
Fits my strokesI have tried many racquets but this fit my playing style! Now I confirm myself that I will not change my sword anymore with this one! Strung with Volkl Cyclone @53 lbs.
Maneuverable and packs a punch...and good control and spin, with a particularly open string spacing. Firmer in the hoop than some of the competitors so perhaps feedback could be a bit better if that matters to you.
My level: USTA 4.5
String Sensitive?I originally selected a Luxilon hybrid for my first go-to string job. The racquet felt stiff and pingy. I was not pleased but luckily I have been stringing racquets for 30 years. I restrung with Ashaway Kevlar Plus at 48lbs in the mains and Technifber Duramix HD at 46lbs in the crosses. Changed the whole complexion of how the racquet felt and performed. Wonderful feel and control with enough power to serve effectively. I suspect a full bed of soft poly might work but the kevlar hybrid will last long after ANY poly bags out.
GreatIt is good for intermediate players who want relative control and spin. Power comes easy, but little plow through.
No control on flat shotsI purchased this racquet thinking it is suited for my flat stroke game. I am getting older so I needed help with power but I also wanted to retain some control. While I find the racquet to be very maneuverable and provides good access to spin, my flat shots have no control even at 50%.
So, I am looking for a control string setup that is also easy on the arm.
Probably a waystation, but a great oneThe Head Speed MP and the Yonex VCore Pro 100 are two of the best all-court spin-friendly yet control-oriented frames. Yes, that's a thing, although it's a compromise. They provide a "very good" (although not excellent) level of power, control, spin, static weight, swingweight and plow through. Not specialists for any particular style of game, but good at all of them. If Goldilocks were a tennis player, these are the racquets she might consider just right. If you are a 3.5 or 4.0 player, these are great if you are a pure generalist; they may be all you will need. If you are improving beyond 4.0 or have a particular style, they will allow you to learn what you want more of, to switch to a racquet that does that. You need to be a pretty good 4.0 before you start thinking "this racket holds me back on spin" or "... on control" or whatever is your specific need. So if you are improving beyond 4.0, you'll probably end up selling this racquet after it tells you what you need more of, but you will part with fond memories and a "thank you." As for which of them--the VCore 100 or the Speed MP--you'd rather have, the VCore is a bit more control and feel whereas the Speed is a bit more power and spin, but it's close between then, so it's going to come down to feel and you can't go wrong. Also, remember you can add weight as you improve, to extend your time before you want to switch.
Not for advanced playersToo light and the swing weight feels way off! There is absolutely no plow through whatsoever on this frame. Maneuverable maybe, but it lacks in control, stability and power.
If you have proper technique (with a relaxed wrist and entire arm for that matter) on your forehand and like to take full cuts at the ball, you aren't going to get anything out of this rig... And don't even get me started on serves! It feels much lighter than the specs indicate. It's only 5 grams lighter than my preferred racquet, yet because of its balance feels like playing a Team version in the 285g range. Not as much of an issue on a 2HBH, but still.
I would suggest this frame to beginners looking for something light and easy to maneuver or people with elbow/arm issues. This is obviously the consumer version, I get it, but I was expecting more out of this latest iteration and got the complete opposite. I had to add a solid 12 grams to balance it out just to be able to hit with this thing. Good platform to customize but pretty terrible (for advanced players and heavy hitters) straight off the shelf in my honest opinion. The aesthetics are good though! I'm guessing there's no way TW will publish this review, but I tried!
Master of All!I bought this racquet without demoing it and am amazed how much control and stability it provides. I added a leather grip and an overgrip to make it more HL- making it the perfect frame for my OHB.
I hit with Tourna Silver 7 - 52/50.
Excellent Racquet!I bought this racquet without a demo and it exceeded my expectation. It's best for groundstrokes and serves. Excellent control and arm feel.
I recommend this highly for Intermediate players.
Great ControlGreat control and feel, easy to maneuver. I felt the difference immediately the way that the request help you to react is great. I highly recommend this version.
Power/Control/FeelGreat blend of feel, control, power, and comfort! Age has caught up with this former 4.5 and I wanted more power without completely giving up feel and control, and need shock absorption. While not quite the feel of the old Head Prestige or Wilson Kramer Pro Staff (told ya I was old) it has a nice sweet spot and solid feel without the heft of "ranked player" racquets.
Good power with softer feelI am a 4.5 player. I recently switched from the Wilson PS97L v13 (with added lead) to this new 2022 Speed MP, hoping for a more forgiving racquet with good control. It doesn't disappoint me. The racquet provides easy power and spin from the baseline, control is good enough for a tweener, and it is easy on the arm with 62 stiffness. Normally, I am not a fan of a 100 sq. in head sized racquet that much, but this one doesn't feel like it. I owned a Graphene 360 Speed MP and I have to say I like the new one better from its higher swingweight and the plush feel - I kinda feel more connected with the shot. I would recommend this racquet for intermediate and advance players looking for a user-friendly racquet.
The drawbacks I found are the racquet doesn't feel stable enough at the net, and the feel of PS97L is way better. In addition, the power is really good and effortless when I put 70-80% in groundstrokes rally, but when I try to hit a winner with 90-100%, the power doesn't come through as PS97L and the old version can provide. It feels like the head of the racquet doesn't come through that fast. Maybe because of the stiffness of the racquet. I got it strung with Mayami Tour Hex at 50 lbs main and 48 lbs cross.
Upgraded feel is hereHad been using the previous version of this racquet and really enjoyed the way that frame performed. The new 2022 version lines up with what TW play testers have already said- even better response/feel for an already great racquet. Controllable power with a slightly lower swingweight than the outgoing model make this racquet a “must try” for intermediate/advanced players looking for a new stick. Paired with Vokl V-Square strings string in the upper 40s, I get great spin potential and amazing control/feel that makes it easy to swing out on almost every shot.