Head Graphene 360 Radical – Review
Ask people who are partial to Head racquets, and they will almost always gravitate towards the Radical line.
It has been billed as the modern player racquet for those looking to untapped their potential in new ways. Yes, a player will get quite a bit of control and feel, but it is all about speed, power, and spin. Depending on what type of Radical a person goes with, they can get something that fits their game.
The best way to tell just what a Head Radical can do for a player is to try it out in person. After messing around with a few of the flagship options, this is a closer examination of everything that a Head Graphene 360 Radical brings to the table.
Before going into the review, here are our overall ratings.
First Impressions
The very first thought whenever picking up a Head Radical for the first time is that it is meant to be a very aggressive racquet overall. Whether a person is an intermediate or advanced player, being aggressive on the court is what the modern game is all about.
The Head Graphene 360 Radical brings the Graphene 360 technology to the table. This means more spin, as well as plenty of maneuverability. With so many different options, people can find what works for them, and they can even customize existing racquets by adding some lead tape in strategic areas.
This is without question the most comfortable Head Radical option ever created. People will notice an improved feel right away, and they will never feel like they have any arm issues whatsoever. It all depends on the style of play, but balls come off the racquet faster and with more spin than ever.
There is a lot to be excited about with the racquet from the very beginning, but there are some causes for concern as well. Players are likely not going to be too consistent with this racquet from the very beginning, which is somewhat normal for a new racquet altogether. However, if a person spends enough time with the racquet or customizes it to fit exactly how they want it, things will change in a hurry.
Groundstrokes
People who fall in love with the Head Graphene 360 Radical will undoubtedly love how it performs off the ground. People have the chance to take powerful, fast rips at the ball and still feel like they have plenty of control. Players who want to play very aggressively can feel confident that they will be able to do what they want, and that is a huge selling point for any racquet out there.
Since the modern game involves a lot of play at the baseline, players can be offensive or defensive with this racquet with relative ease. It has a pretty good sweet spot for when players are trying to get themselves back into the point, but when they do have an open opportunity, a big rip at the ball will make it easy to get a winning shot set up.
If there is one knock with groundstrokes, the Head Graphene 360 Radical lacks a little bit of touch when trying to change pace. For some players, that is a big part of the game, as they want to change pace and throw people off as much as possible. When getting in a constant rally off the ground, it can go pretty well, but things get out of hand when it turns into something more.
Serving
Serving is the one shot that will be a bit hit or miss for certain players out there. Players who really like to have a fast swing when they are serving will find it as a very capable racquet, but those with a slower swing might not be as crazy about how it performs.
The best thing to do with any of the Radical racquets is to be patient with results. For people coming from something much different, it will take a while to get dialed in. Most people will get into a groove at some point, but it could be a game-changer if it never does feel comfortable.
Volleying
The Head Graphene 360 Radical is very dependable at the net. It is not the best of the best, but it gets the job done for those who are making casual appearances there from time to time.
Since most modern players are not serving and volleying, this is probably going to be sufficient enough. Still, those who play doubles exclusively might wonder if it will be good enough for them as a genuine volleying racquet.
What really comes into play is the stability that people have had issues with hitting other strokes. The Radical makes up for its subpar stability by being very maneuverable. Players can take a little bit more of a cut on swinging volleys, and they can punch the ball harder on volleys if it sits up there as well. With a pretty good sweet spot to count on, it is more or less just a different approach that gets the job done.
Different Versions
There are different versions of the Head Graphene 360 Radical, but there are plenty of other Radical options as well. Staying in the Radical family is something that a lot of people end up doing, even if the standard version of this racquet does not work for them. This is the version that most pro players uses.
Younger players, in particular, seem to be very fond of the Head Radical line. The modern game requires a certain type of play, and these racquets are made for the new generation. Older players have found success with them, but the different versions entice younger players to get into the game and play it the way many think it should be played.
These are the specs for the most popular Radical racquet, the Head Graphene 360 Radical MP.
| Head Graphene 360 Radical MP | Specs |
|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq. in |
| Length | 27 in |
| Weight (strung) | 11.2 oz / 318g |
| Balance | 4pts Head Light |
| Flex | 65 |
| String Pattern | 16×19 |
| Swingweight | 326 |
Final Thoughts & Recommendations
Overall, it is hard to find a better all-around racquet not only from Head, but anywhere else. It certainly is on the shortlist for people who do not know where to start when they are demoing racquets, and they want to see what might be out there.
There is a reason why it’s used by many pro players on both the ATP and WTA Tour. Here are the top ranked players that currently plays with the Head Graphene 360 Radical:
About the only real knock on this racquet is that stability is not always there for all types of players. If a person struggles with stability already, this is definitely not going to help any. When a person loses out on some stability, the racquet becomes a little less precise, which could hurt the players overall evolution.
For everyone else, it is definitely one worth giving a try. Head has a lot of new technology behind this racquet, and players wanting to play a modern game will benefit from having this racquet in their hands. If you are interested, you can check the current price on Amazon here.
Check out my other Head racquet reviews:
