Racquet Review: Head Radical MP 2025

Head Radical MP 2025

• Price: $299
• Head Size: 98 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11.2 oz.
• Balance: 4 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 323
• RA Rating: 66
• Beam Width: 20 mm / 23 mm / 21 mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

The specs on the Radical MP remained largely unchanged. The primary tweak to the racquet is the addition of Auxetic 2.0, which expands the carbon fiber construction into added parts of the frame. Along with the yoke piece, it now occupies space at the end of the handle. It helps improve the response at contact, most notably on off-center hits. Other than that, an all-orange cosmetic is the only other notable difference.

What Works

Head touts the Radical as being a racquet capable of hitting every shot, everywhere. In other words, a well-rounded frame that appeals to a wide swath of players thanks to its versatility. Which is why the Radical MP, with its ease of use and reliable performance, remains one of the most popular models in Head’s arsenal.

As such, Head took an “if ain’t broke, don’t fix” approach to updating the MP. The 2021 model enjoyed an extensive and well-received overhaul, and it appears the brand is content to ride that wave. Other than perhaps a slightly softer feel on off-center contact, the playability is quite similar to the outgoing model. Which isn’t an issue for fans of that frame, or any players attracted to versatile 98s.

The Radical MP is easy to swing and the response is very consistent and predictable. The sweet spot is rather contained which lends to the expected outcomes, yet there’s a friendly push when contact is off-center. It feels as though the hoop has plenty of mass to create pace, but the power never becomes unruly. You can let it rip on serves and ground strokes with confidence that you can hit your mark. The results may not be the heaviest shots you’ve ever hit, but there’s enough pop and placement to still be highly effective.

In fact, the dials on the Radical MP favor control over force. It helps to have a longer, fluid swing to put a charge into the ball and find depth on your shots. The command is helped by the fairly conservative 16x19 string pattern that first and foremost delivers on accuracy. Point-and-shoot targeting with a flatter trajectory allows you to be aggressive spotting your shots. It’s this attractive balance of power and control that makes the Radical one of those unique frames that defy player types.

“The Radical MP is still a great all-around frame that can work for players at almost any level.”Tester Comment

Since the spacing and grommets don’t promote a lot of string movement, spin production is rather restrained. However, the frame’s quickness through the contact zone allows you to compensate somewhat with racquet head speed. So jumpy kick serves and biting slice backhands are gettable, but take a little extra know-how and effort than some other competing models.

The feel at contact is a little firm, which has been the standard since the first Graphene Radical. The ball is in and out of the strings rather quickly with limited dwell time. Still, there’s enough dampening tech that it doesn’t cross over to harsh, and it has certainly grown in comfort over the past few generations. The Auxetic 2.0 gives the frame a more welcoming feel, especially when contact isn’t perfect.

This translates into respectable performance on touch and feel shots. It executes with greater distinction on fuller swings such as topspin lobs and short angles, but is capable when you want to be even cuter. At net it’s fast and responsive, with plenty of drive when you need it. It’s intended to bring versatility to the court, and that’s just what you get.

What Needs Work

For most developing players up through the intermediate ranks, the Radical MP has enough mass and stability in stock form. Levels above may find that the racquet lacks enough backbone and finishing power. Those players could try the Radical Pro, which is 15g heavier. However, if they don’t want to jump up to that weight class or prefer the greater forgiveness of the MP, additional lead tape in the hoop should suffice.

While there’s nothing wrong at all with the racquet’s “Steady Eddie” approach, there’s also no dominant characteristic either. It does everything reasonably well without standing out in anything in particular. For many this could easily be a feature rather than a bug. The racquet expresses a player’s game without getting in the way. But it also doesn’t do as much amplifying as offerings in this space.

Just as it was noted in the review of the Radical Pro, the colorway won’t be for everyone. The racquet’s orange on steroids look—right down to the grip—is a head-turner, but may be too showy for players preferring more conservative styling.

Bottom Line

Even if the update is only an incremental upgrade, the Radical MP continues to check all the boxes when it comes to all-court performance.