Classic Prestige feel meets modern speed
As the lightest member of the Prestige family, the Prestige MP L brings the incalculable benefit of maneuverability and speed to one of the game's most storied control franchises. At approximately 11.2 ounces strung and boasting a whippy sub-315 swingweight and open 16x19 string pattern, this racquet will give intermediate players the kind of user-friendly hitting experience that breeds confidence. For the more advanced ball striker, the MP L not only makes a great customization option, but it's also no slouch in stock form where it provides a user-friendly entry point into the outstanding control and feel of the Prestige family. The main technology is Auxetic 2, a uniquely flexible material in the yoke and handle to optimize feel. The MP L also benefits from Graphene 360+ (labeled Graphene Inside), which strengthens the frame in key locations to increase power and stability. Ultimately, this racquet is an outstanding option for those who want a faster, more spin-friendly Prestige without sacrificing the control and feel for which the franchise is known.
Specifications
| Head Size: 99 in² / 638.71 cm² | ||||
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g | ||||
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight: 309 | ||||
| Stiffness: 61 | ||||
| Beam Width: 21.5mm / 21.5mm / 21.5mm | ||||
| Composition: Auxetic 2/Graphene Inside/Graphite | ||||
| Power Level: Low | ||||
| Stroke Style: Full | ||||
| Swing Speed: Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors: Maroon | ||||
| Grip Type: Head Hydrosorb Pro | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension: 48-57 pounds |
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Customer Reviews
ControlThis is the most extreme control racquet ever, and this includes Head Radical MP Microgel, some 93 Prestiges, Wilson Blade Tour 93, Völkl PB 93 Mid. Babolat RPM Blast Orange at 22kg strung. You have to connect the smallish sweetspot and you can do anything with it. What makes it better than the typical small racquet at higher weight? Bigger spin window, much better manoeverability. Much more fun. You have to be focussed, but you don't fight with the racquet, as you often do with the typical player's stick. In cars, I'd say it is a Porsche 911 Carrera: without charger, it does not have endless power, but you can shave anything at a margin. If you go up into the mountains, you will be much faster than 600 hp monster, and you will have much more fun.
Perfect BalanceThis racquet offers excellent control on every shot, with controllable power and great comfort.
Great racquetBought for junior year of highschool tennis/club training. Proficiency: Advanced, 4.0-4.5. Great for hard hitting game. Immediately loved it. It replaced my older Head Radical Graphene S, but it's similar enough that I can use my old racquet as my backup.
Great on paper ...The specs are a dream for intermediate player--11 oz head light, thin beam --looked fantastic on paper for my ohb. However, while the low flex is supposed to help shoulders/elbows, the combination of low flex+light frame+HL balance actually hurt my elbow. I believe it is due to the fact that the racket flexes more and is easier to swing so while it feels plush while hitting with it, I immediately developed a mild tennis elbow within one session (multi strings). This does not happen even with stiffer Pro Staffs for me so it was a surprise. I guess, if we are to use such a low flex racquet, it better be beefy and have a 318-325 SW to compensate for the amount of flex at hitting point. While it is a great racquet to swing and hit with (did not find it low powered with multi), it was not for me.
Very “meh”Too low of swingweight to stand up to harder hitters. Weight stiffens the racquet and shrinks the sweet spot. Very spotty stringbed as well. Nice on the arm and looks great, but that’s about it.
Wonderful RacquetThis racquet is power driven but not too much, it has good weight. Great for all areas of the court.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Out of spec?I did try a demo first, and it was light and maneuverable, but a little low-powered. Overall it was okay so decided to pay the very high price for a new one. The one I received (tennisonly) has so much weight in the head that it is very different from the demo. For weeks I persisted trying lead tape in all sorts of positions, loose and tight strings as well as a leather grip sometimes. The racquet now sits in the cupboard. The balance is awful. Very disappointing. Not sure I could ever trust a demo again.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.]
Great racquetSuper comfortable, great power and decent control racquet.
Perfect blend for intermediate/adv playerI’m an intermediate/advanced player who was looking for more control but a racquet that was still easy on the arm. I hit pretty flat balls and would be considered an “aggressive baseliner who likes to use a variety of shots.” Demoed many frames, mostly towards the “control” end of the spectrum. Wanted more control than my Head Speed MP and Prince Speedport Black (yes, it’s old… I have a hard time switching racquets). For example, the Head Speed Pro was good but too “low-powered” for me. Yonex Vcore Pro and Babolat Pure Strike both felt pretty good but didn’t give me as much control as I was looking for. I found I needed an open string pattern or my flat balls would too often hit the net or not have the depth I wanted. So none of the 18x20’s for example were good for me. The Wilson Blades just didn’t feel solid to me, the Pro Staff 95 felt too heavy and the Pro Staff X was okay. I always stayed away from the Prestige line because of their weight but my racquet store owner threw the Head Prestige MP L into the mix, and said “try this one as well.” The frame, weight and balance felt good right from the start. It gave me more power than the Speed Pro but less than my Speed MP. All my shots felt good and it gave me as much control as any of the others I tried. After about five hours of use I still find it easy on the arm, and my game has improved noticeably. I’m the type of player who has a hard time switching racquets so I’m relieved to have finally found such a great blend of control and power in a racquet that’s also easy on the arm. A lighter weight Prestige... what took Head so long?
The Platform PrestigeOh my, where to begin... The MP-L is a hidden gem of a platform frame, who's genius has finally been made available to the US market for all to experience. Why is this racquet so special? Because you're basically getting the closest thing to a pro stock player frame in retail form, whose stock spec already has an MGR/i of 21, which means near-perfect swing physics for most of those who will choose this frame (flatter/linear hitting, all-court attackers who love to play with angles and variety). Even more appealing is the ability for higher-level players to customize the MP-L into any type of weapon they prefer. Heavier, more head-light, all-court OHBH scalpel? No problem. Lighter, head-heavier 2HBH baseline hammer? Sure thing. As long as you know what you're doing with applying weight and have access to a swing weight machine, Briffidi SW1 or otherwise, the sky is the limit.
Beyond that, the TK334 mold (99" 21.5mm constant hybrid box beam), semi-open conventionally-drilled 16x19 pattern and CAP grommets combine to offer a true "pleener" (player/tweener) experience, which will blow the minds of those who've wondered if they could ever find tweener-level forgiveness with the string bed consistency and playability of a Prestige. The MP-L delivers both, in spades.
Additionally, beyond its ability to accept *frame* customization really well, it's also super *string* compatible, playing well with everything from full-bed natural gut, to gut/synthetic/poly hybrids, to kevlar/zyex, to full bed poly, and gauges from low 1.20's to mid 1.30's. If you can think up a string combo, it will probably play well in the MP-L.
In closing, this is quite likely the most customizable, universally playable frame on the market today, good for everyone from near-beginners (in stock form, or close to it) up to Andy Murray (who played the frame briefly, heavily customized of course, before returning to his beloved PT57A). Head absolutely hit it out of the park with the MP-L, and now American players will finally get to experience the genius of what Head has created, first hand. Take a bow, Head. You deserve it!
