What makes the HEAD Prestige special?
The HEAD Prestige is HEAD's control racket: a slim frame profile, dark red, unmistakable for decades. The frame puts precision ahead of raw power and is aimed at technically solid tournament players – if you don't strike the ball cleanly, you feel it immediately. The range sold in Germany includes four models: Prestige Pro, MP, Tour and MP L.
All four share the control DNA of the HEAD tennis rackets and rank among the more demanding HEAD tournament rackets. The current generation features Auxetic 2.0 – a construction in the racket throat that, according to HEAD, gives you especially direct feedback at the moment of impact.
What weights, head sizes and grip sizes are available?
The series ranges from 300 to 320 grams unstrung, with head sizes – the area you hit the ball with – from 615 to 640 cm², and grip sizes from 1 to 4. The string pattern tells you how closely spaced the strings are: the dense 18/20 pattern on the Pro gives maximum control, while the more open 16/19 pattern on the Tour and MP L picks up more spin, meaning ball rotation. A matching control string from the HEAD tennis strings range fits well here; if the grip size isn't exactly right, a HEAD grip can help.
Which Prestige model suits you?
The four frames differ in weight, head size and how much technique they demand:
The sweet spot is the area of the hitting surface with the best mix of control and power – the bigger the head, the bigger this area. Rule of thumb: the cleaner and longer your swing, the further up this table you should look.
Across the range: the HEAD Speed is more versatile, the HEAD Radical sits between control and power, and the HEAD Gravity is more forgiving. If your technique is still developing, the HEAD rackets for advanced players give you more margin. Shoes and bags are available in the HEAD brand shop.
Our Tennis-Point recommendation
Don't commit without an on-court test: with our HEAD demo rackets you can borrow up to three frames for 10 days.
Why is the lightest frame called the Prestige MP L?
The L stands for the light variant: the MP L was called the Prestige S in earlier generations, while today's Prestige Pro previously ran as the Prestige MP.
How often should I restring a control racket?
A common rule of thumb is: as many times a year as you play sessions per week. With control-oriented frames it pays to restring earlier, since a worn-out string loses precision first.
Can I make a Prestige heavier after the fact?
Yes. Lead tape on the head and handle changes weight and balance – the weight distribution between handle and head – in small steps. This lets you gradually ease especially the light MP L towards a heavier feel.