Racquet Review: Head Extreme MP 2022

SPECS

Price: $259

Head Size: 100 sq. in.

Length: 27 in.

Weight: 11.2 oz.

Balance: 4 pts. HL

Swingweight: 320

RA Rating: 65

Beam Width: 23mm / 26mm / 21mm

String Pattern: 16x19

It would be difficult to think that a bright yellow racquet could ever be overlooked. But with heritage lines like the Prestige and Radical, and newer silos such as the Speed, Gravity and Boom popping up all over the pro tours, it can feel like the Head Extreme sometimes gets the short shrift. However, the spin-friendly and powerful racquets are steadily growing in performance and popularity, the most recent version its most successful iteration to date. With improved command and feel, the Extreme MP 2022 might just be the best one yet.

Since the formula has been trending upwards for the Extreme MP, changes to this latest model were somewhat modest. The first is the addition of Auxetic—a construction design in the throat of the frame, intended to give the racquet an improved response, most notably on off-center contact. Another tweak was to the make the 16x19 string pattern slightly denser for better control. This addresses the one negative Head heard from players regarding the previous model—it could be a bit unruly. Along the same lines, the balance is more head light, which makes the racquet more maneuverable and less powerful.

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While seemingly minor, the updates were nonetheless effective. The power may not have been quite as robust, but the Extreme MP still hit a juicy ball from the back of the court. The improved handling encouraged big swings that applied ample pace and spin to shots. The spacious grommets—so noticeable when stringing the racquet—encouraged added string movement which helped the cause. Put a shaped poly in the racquet and go to work. Perhaps the denser string pattern lessened the amount of rotations, but it takes a sharper eye than mine to notice the difference.

The feel was a little more solid and pure at contact than the outgoing model, with a generous and forgiving sweet spot. It’s not an especially flexible frame, but nonetheless rather comfortable. The trampoline effect of the string movement bolstered pace and spin, but also soaked up some of the feedback, limiting a degree of ball connection. But that’s somewhat expected for this type of frame, and it wasn’t a noticeable detriment to its performance.

Control was also improved, although it was still not a precision instrument. I found much of the command came from the ability to use spin for safety. It was a racquet that just begged me to let loose on heavy forehands—I so enjoyed obliging it. However, my two-handed backhand produces a naturally flatter ball and I had some struggles governing that shot, particularly when hitting down the line where the court is shorter. If I went after the ball I really had to brush up on the stroke more than usual to make sure I had enough topspin. I had more confidence in my slice backhand, which the frame delivered with easy depth and good bite.

The power may not have been quite as robust, but the Extreme MP still hit a juicy ball from the back of the court. The improved handling encouraged big swings that applied ample pace and spin to shots.

Serving was more hit or miss. The pace and spin were once again in deep supply. Hitting big bombs and high-bouncing kicks were both well within the frame’s talents. My issue was I was not consistent enough with the former, so I leaned more on the latter. This was perhaps an instance where the more head-light balance made it almost too quick through the hitting zone. I felt like I could’ve used more weight in the head to slow the swing down and create more rhythm. However, I do think that will time and reps I could find a groove and it would ultimately be a server’s delight.

Volleying with the Extreme was better than expected. The frame had solid stability for its weight with relatively smooth handling. All I had to do was get the head out in front, give the handle a squeeze at contact and the ball shot through the court with a respectable measure of control. What really surprised, though, was its touch. Normally, I find racquets in this category to be heavy-handed, but I had good success mixing in some softer stuff. Maybe it was the string freedom, but I could cradle the ball to effectively take speed off incoming shots and execute half and drop volleys. It still did its best work from the back of the court, but I never hesitated coming forward to finish a point at net.

Add it all up and the operative word for my time with the Extreme MP 2022 was fun. The user-friendly racquet produced a consistently lively ball that was tailor-made for aggressive baseline play, with just enough all-court guile. The impressive spin production coupled with the tweaks to the playability improved the consistency, as well as produced a more solid, favorable response. If you’re in the market for a racquet that hits big serves and heavy groundies, make sure not to overlook this one.

The Head Extreme MP 2022 will be available for presale starting on August 18. The racquet launches on September 8.