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Head MicroGel Radical – Tennis Racquet Review

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Head’s popular Radical tennis racquet series boasts of “No Shot You Can’t Play”. The MicroGel Radical adds Head’s MicroGel technology to the frame for added stability, improved feel, and greater control. This post is our review of the Head MicroGel Radical, based on hundreds of players’ real experiences with this racquet. Read on to see if it’s a good fit for you. 

Head MicroGel Radical

  • (7.0) Power
  • (9.5) Control
  • (9.5) Maneuverability
  • (8.0) Stability
  • (9.0) Comfort/Feel
  • (8.5) Spin
  • (8.6) Overall
$$
Head size 98 sq in
Strung weight 11 oz
Length 27 in
Beam width 22mm
String pattern 18/20
Balance point 335 mm
Swingweight 315
Flex rating 57
Pros
  • Excellent level of control
  • Comfortable, plush feel
Cons
  • Lacks some power

Head Microgel Radical Features & Benefits

The Microgel Radical comes in two head sizes, Midplus (98 sq in) and Pro or Oversize (107 sq in). For this article, we’ll be reviewing the Midplus or MP with the 98 sq in head size. 

Lots of Control

The MicroGel Radical is all about control. It allows the ball to embed deep into the stringbed, offering you lots of potential for spin and accurate ball placement. Whether it’s your serves, volleys, or groundstrokes, the extra precision of this racquet has many players saying they felt they could place the ball anywhere on the court with greater ease. 

Moderate Power

The high level of control offered by the MicroGel Radical comes at the expense of some power. Some players find that this racquet lacks the extra pop. Power vs. control is a common tradeoff in tennis racquets, and this racquet definitely leans in favor of control over power. 

A Closer Look at MicroGel Technology

The Microgel Radical features the addition of Head’s MicroGel technology to their Radical series. MicroGel is a semi-elastic solid with a very low density that helps absorb the impact of the ball. This material is included with the carbon fibers around the entire frame. 

This construction allows the frame to compress on ball impact, which uniformly absorbs and distributes vibrations, resulting in a comfortable and plush feel that many players appreciate.

Summary and Recommendations

If you’re looking for a racquet with excellent control, the Head MicroGel Radical might be a great fit for you. This racquet sacrifices some power in exchange for control, but for those players who can generate their own power and want that extra helping of precision, this is an excellent choice.

Overall, it’s a great racquet for a range of skill levels and styles of play. View the Head MicroGel Radical on Amazon to check the current price.

Alternatives to the Head MicroGel Radical Tennis Racquet

If you’re looking for some alternatives to the Head MicroGel Radical, we recommend the Head Ti.S6 or the Babolat Pure Drive Lite.

Head Ti.S6

  • (9.5) Power
  • (9.0) Control
  • (9.5) Maneuverability
  • (8.0) Stability
  • (8.5) Comfort/Feel
  • (9.0) Spin
  • (8.9) Overall
$$
Head size 115 sq in
Strung weight 8.9 oz
Length 27.75 in
Beam width 28.5mm
String pattern 16/19
Balance point 385 mm
Swingweight 303
Flex rating 76
Pros
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Easy to generate lots of power
  • Large head size and sweet spot
  • Reasonably priced
Cons
  • May be too light for some advanced players

The Head Ti.S6 is a more powerful racquet than the MicroGel Radical, at a similar price point. You might consider this racquet if you are a beginner or intermediate player looking for a racquet that can help you more easily generate power from your swing. Read our full Head Ti.S6 review.

Babolat Pure Drive Lite

  • (8.5) Power
  • (9.0) Control
  • (9.0) Maneuverability
  • (7.5) Stability
  • (8.0) Comfort/Feel
  • (9.5) Spin
  • (8.6) Overall
$$$
Head size 100 sq in
Strung weight 10.0 oz
Length 27 in
Beam width 23 / 26 / 23mm
String pattern 16/19
Balance point 337 mm
Swingweight 301
Flex rating 68
Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Excellent speed and spin
  • Great maneuverability
Cons
  • Only moderate stability

If you like the maneuverability and control of the MicroGel Radical, you might consider trying the Babolat Pure Drive Lite. It’s a similar weight to the MicroGel Radical and comes with a bit more power, but at a higher price tag as well. Read our full Babolat Pure Drive Lite review.

Post last updated on January 26, 2021

One thought on “Head MicroGel Radical – Tennis Racquet Review

  1. “It allows the ball to embed deep into the stringbed, offering you lots of potential for spin and accurate ball placement.” This sentence is how your ball is buried in the cortage bed. The spinning of the ball depends only on the cortage pattern? otherwise, does the racket’s frame geometry contribute to the spin? such as the width and height of the frame? I have one more question, does the hardness degree of the frame contribute to spin? less hardness more spin?

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