Head Gravity Tour · 2025 Series Analysis

Head Gravity Tour Review

A hands-on playtest of the biggest overhaul in the Gravity line's history — how the new 98 sq in, 16x19 control frame serves, drives and feels on the arm — plus pros & cons, our verdict, and Gravity Tour vs MP.

8.5/ 10Our rating

Executive Summary

The Head Gravity Tour 2025 is the most significant model change in the Gravity line's history. Previous generations were 100 sq in with an 18x20 pattern. This update shrinks to 98 sq in with a 16x19 pattern — a completely different racquet that combines the Gravity's signature buttery feel with spin-friendly precision.

Key Characteristic: The teardrop (Sweet Zone) head shape is the Gravity's defining feature. It moves the widest part of the string bed to the upper hoop, creating a larger, more forgiving contact zone in the area where modern players most often strike the ball. The result is a 98 that feels more forgiving than its head size suggests.

Key Update (2025): Auxetic 2.0 now extends into the handle alongside the yoke, alongside a lower RA than the previous generation. The frame is notably softer and more organic-feeling than Gravity racquets of recent years, with reviewers consistently praising the pure, connected response as one of the best in the Head lineup.

Performance Profile

The Gravity Tour 2025 occupies a unique position — a control-oriented 98 with a spin-friendly open pattern and one of the lowest RA ratings in its class. Understanding how it compares to the Gravity Pro and Gravity MP is essential.

Performance Comparison: Gravity Tour vs Gravity Pro

Gravity Tour leads in spin and feel · Gravity Pro leads in control and stability

Gravity Tour (98 · 16×19)
Gravity Pro (100 · 18×20)

On-Court Playtest

We put the Head Gravity Tour through a full hitting session — groundstrokes, serves, returns and net play — strung with a soft poly in the low 50s. Here's how Head's comfort-oriented control frame, with its distinctive teardrop head and plush, connected feel, plays shot by shot.

Groundstrokes

From the first ball the Gravity Tour shows its hand: this is a control-and-feel racquet, not a launcher. The very low ~59 RA and throat-concentrated flex give the ball a long, pocketed dwell time, so contact feels soft and connected rather than springy. You supply the pace, and in return you get genuine command of where the ball goes. The open 16x19 pattern bites into topspin and pushes the launch angle up, so heavy looping drives clear the net with margin and dip back inside the baseline. The teardrop Sweet Zone head shape pays off here — the effective sweet spot sits higher in the hoop than a typical 98, so off-centre balls stay surprisingly lively. The trade-off is honest: there's little free power, so commit to a full, confident stroke and the Tour rewards you with a heavy, controlled ball.

Serve

The serve leans on the frame's mass rather than any cheap pop. The high ~328 swingweight gives the Gravity Tour real plough-through, so first serves land with weight when you accelerate fully through the ball. The open pattern and plush feel make it a natural kick- and slice-serve frame — you can shape and spin serves easily, with good bite into the box. Flat-out, the Tour asks for racquet-head speed and timing; it won't gift you aces, but it places serves precisely and locates corners well.

Volleys & Net

At net the Gravity Tour is in its element. The soft, connected response and long dwell time make touch volleys, half-volleys and drop shots feel intuitive — the ball stays on the string bed long enough to feel exactly what you're doing. Punch volleys are stable for a 98 thanks to the swingweight, and the control-first character means you can angle the ball off the strings with confidence rather than fighting a trampoline. It's a frame that flatters a player who likes to come forward and finish with feel.

Return & Defence

On the return the Tour is precise but demanding. Blocking back a big serve takes a touch more intent than with a powerful frame — the low power level means you have to meet the ball rather than just deflect it deep. Once you do, the control is excellent and you can chip and slice returns to a target. On defence the swingweight gives stability on stretched, flicked recovery balls, while the open pattern lets you brush heavy topspin to reset the point.

Comfort & Feel

This is where the Gravity Tour shines and arguably leads its class. The very low RA, the flex concentrated in the throat and Head's Auxetic 2.0 construction combine for a plush, organic, almost arm-soothing impact — one of the most comfortable control frames you can buy. There's none of the firm, board-like feedback of a stiff power frame; instead you get warmth and a clear sense of the ball. Strung with a soft poly or a natural-gut hybrid at a sensible tension, it's an excellent choice for players who want feel and comfort without giving up precision. The only caveat is the swingweight — the comfort comes with a frame that asks for genuine swing speed.

Pros & Cons

The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of — with the Gravity Tour.

Pros

  • Plush, comfortable, connected feel — among the best in its class
  • Big, forgiving sweet spot from the teardrop Sweet Zone head shape
  • Excellent blend of control and spin from the open 16x19 pattern
  • Very low ~59 RA with throat flex makes it notably arm-friendly
  • Stable and weighty thanks to the high ~328 swingweight
  • Superb touch frame for volleys, slices and drop shots

Cons

  • Low free power — you must supply your own pace
  • High swingweight is demanding for some players
  • Control-first character won't suit players wanting easy pop
  • Short, lazy swings leave the ball sitting down
  • Higher launch from the open pattern needs adjustment on flat shots

Model Comparison Guide

The 2025 Gravity family spans three distinct philosophies. The Tour is the newcomer that fills the gap between the all-court Pro and the accessible MP.

Gravity Tour (New)

98 sq in · 16x19 · 305g
For: Advanced / 4.5+ Spin Players

The new precision-spin option. A 98 sq in head with an open pattern for players who want the Gravity's feel but with a more aggressive topspin game. The teardrop shape provides a larger effective sweet spot than a traditional 98.

Gravity Pro

100 sq in · 18x20 · 315g
For: Elite / Precision Strikers

The tour-endorsed classic. Combines the larger head for forgiveness with a dense pattern for flat precision. Endorsed by Zverev and Rublev in heavily customized form. More power and forgiveness than the Tour.

Gravity MP

100 sq in · 16x20 · 295g
For: Intermediate / 3.5–4.5

The most accessible Gravity. Lightest weight, teardrop head, and a 16x20 pattern that blends spin access with some directional control. Excellent for players entering the Gravity line.

Who Plays With This?

The Gravity Tour 2025 debuted at the Australian Open. Its teardrop shape and open pattern suit heavy topspin baseliners who also demand exceptional feel. Tour frames are customized — treat these profiles as style guides, not spec guarantees.

Alexander Zverev
Gravity Tour / Pro (custom)
Topspin Baseliner

Zverev debuted the 2025 Gravity family at the Australian Open. His powerful, looping forehand and kick serve benefit from the open pattern's spin access, while the teardrop shape and soft feel give him the touch needed for his underrated drop shot game.

Andrey Rublev
Gravity Pro (custom)
Flat Aggressor

Rublev's relentless ball-striking style benefits from the Gravity's unique feel profile. The teardrop head keeps the sweet zone active even when he's driving flat through contact at pace, reducing errors on heavy-hit groundstrokes.

Roman Safiullin
Gravity Pro
All-Court Power

Safiullin's big-hitting, all-court game suits the Gravity Pro's combination of mass-based power and feel. The buttery response helps him execute his variety game while still delivering the heavy ball his style demands.

Taylor Fritz
Gravity-adjacent (custom)
Serve & Baseline

Fritz's powerful, serve-led game benefits from the Gravity's exceptional serve potential. The soft frame lets him swing freely with minimal arm fatigue, while the teardrop shape delivers the pace and kick he needs on first serves.

Technical Must-Knows

A Completely New Frame (Not an Update) The 2025 Gravity Tour is not an evolution of the previous Tour — it's an entirely new racquet. Previous generations were 100 sq in / 18x20. This version shares the Gravity name and feel identity, but has fundamentally different dimensions suited to a different player profile.
Teardrop (Sweet Zone) Head Shape Head's proprietary geometry that places the widest part of the string bed near the tip rather than the middle of the hoop. This creates a larger, more responsive contact zone in the upper hoop where modern players most frequently make contact, effectively making the 98 sq in head feel more forgiving than its area suggests.
Very Low RA (~59) The Gravity Tour has one of the lowest stiffness ratings on the market. This creates exceptional dwell time and a unique "pocketing" sensation that reviewers describe as organic and connected. But note: the high swingweight (~328) creates mass-based power and stability, compensating for what the low RA cannot provide alone.
Flex Concentrated in the Throat The frame's flex is predominantly in the throat section rather than the hoop, which softens impact and boosts control without making the hoop feel dead or unresponsive. This is why the Tour doesn't play as soft as its RA number implies.
Higher Launch Angle The 16x19 open pattern produces a notably higher launch angle than competitors like the Wilson Blade 98 18x20. On topspin groundstrokes this is an asset — the ball clears the net with margin and dips. On flatter shots it requires adjustment. Block returns need more intent than with closed-pattern frames.

String Setup Guide

The Gravity Tour's low RA and open 16x19 pattern make it very tunable — but the low power level means most players should start at lower tensions than they might expect. Reference range: 48–57 lbs (21.8–26 kg).

Quick Start (Most Players)

  • Start point (soft poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg). The low RA means the frame already provides feel — don't fight it with high tension.
  • If the ball is sitting short: The Gravity Tour has a low power level by design. Before adding tension, try a more powerful string or drop 2 lbs — additional tension will only amplify the control without adding the depth you need.
  • If balls are flying long: The 16x19 has a high launch angle. A shaped poly can help tame it with more spin and a dipping arc, without needing to raise tension significantly.
  • If you want more feel: Drop 2–3 lbs and try a natural gut or multifilament main with a soft poly cross. The low RA frame will amplify the gut's warmth beautifully.

Pro Reference

Alexander Zverev (Reported)

Gravity Tour/Pro (custom) · Full Poly / Hybrid
Tour Reference

Setup idea: Head Lynx Tour or similar soft poly, reportedly mid-50s lbs. Heavy customization on tour frames — Zverev's actual racquet is significantly heavier than retail spec.

Tour setups vary by surface, tournament, and personal preference. Use as a directional reference only.

Recommended Setups by Goal

Goal Recommended Setup Starting Tension What You'll Feel
BalancedSoft poly (full bed), 1.25mm50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg)Connected, controlled — the frame's natural sweet spot
More spin / depthShaped poly mains (1.25mm), soft poly or multi crosses48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg)Heavy topspin loop, ball dips into court — great for open-court angles
Max feelNatural gut mains + soft poly crossesGut mains 52–55 lbs, poly crosses 48–51 lbsExceptional warmth, maximum dwell time — best feel setup for this frame
More controlFirmer poly or 1.30mm, full bed52–55 lbs (23.5–25 kg)Lower launch, more direct feel — for players who flatten the ball
More comfortHybrid: poly mains + multifilament crossesPoly mains 48–51 lbs (21.8–23 kg)Softer impact, extended dwell time — already a comfortable frame

Maintenance Rule

The low RA amplifies dead string feel more than stiffer frames. When a poly goes dead in the Gravity Tour, the already-soft frame becomes overly muted and loses its key trait — ball connection. Restring at the first sign of reduced response, not when the string breaks.

Top 3 Recommended Strings

These strings consistently deliver excellent results in the Gravity Tour 2025, chosen to complement its low RA, open pattern, and exceptional feel-first identity.

Soft Control Poly

Head Lynx Tour

1.25mm
50–53 lbs / 22.5–24 kg

Best for: Players wanting a comfortable, well-rounded poly that matches the Gravity's feel-first character.

Head's own pairing — Lynx Tour is consistently used in Gravity demo setups for good reason. Its co-poly composition is soft, maintains tension well, and doesn't create stiffness on top of the already-soft frame. Excellent all-round performance without introducing harsh feedback.

Spin Poly

Solinco Hyper-G (Round)

1.25mm
50–53 lbs / 22.5–24 kg

Best for: Modern baseliners wanting to maximize the 16x19 pattern's spin output.

The round variant (vs square) delivers spin through snapback rather than bite, which suits the Gravity's dwell-time-first design. Reported as a preferred community setup in the 2025 Gravity Tour — the combination delivers heavy, looping topspin with a plush feel on contact.

Tour Hybrid

Natural Gut (Mains) + Soft Poly (Crosses)

1.25mm
Gut mains 52–55 lbs, poly crosses 49–52 lbs

Best for: Players who want to unlock the Gravity Tour's maximum feel potential.

Few frames respond to natural gut as beautifully as a low-RA, flexible player's frame. In the Gravity Tour, gut mains create extraordinary dwell time and warmth — the frame's low stiffness amplifies gut's elasticity rather than masking it. A soft poly cross (Lynx Touch, Poly Tour Pro) adds durability without killing the feel. An exceptional setup for advanced players.

Pro tip: The Gravity Tour is one of the rare modern frames that truly rewards natural gut. If you've never tried gut and you're playing this frame, it's worth investing in one hybrid restring to experience what the frame can do at its ceiling.

Full Specifications

Specification Gravity Tour (2025) Gravity Pro (2025) Gravity MP (2025)
Head Size98 sq in (632 cm²)100 sq in (645 cm²)100 sq in (645 cm²)
Weight (Unstrung)305g / 10.8oz315g / 11.1oz295g / 10.4oz
Weight (Strung)320g / 11.3oz~330g~311g
Length27 in27 in27 in
Balance320mm / 7 pts HL (unstrung)~315mm / 8–9 pts HL~325mm / 6–7 pts HL
String Pattern16x19 (open, spin-friendly)18x20 (dense, precise)16x20 (semi-open)
Beam Width22mm (constant / box)22mm (constant / box)22mm (constant / box)
Stiffness (RA)~59 (very flexible)~59~57–58
Swingweight~328~329~315–320
TechnologyAuxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside / Sweet ZoneAuxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside / Sweet ZoneAuxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside / CAP grommet
Recommended Tension48–57 lbs48–57 lbs48–57 lbs

Our Verdict

8.5
out of 10
Highly Recommended

The Gravity Tour is one of the most comfortable, connected control frames on the market — a plush, feel-first 98 that rewards players who want to shape and place the ball rather than have power handed to them.

It's the racquet we'd recommend to advanced all-court players who prize touch, spin and a genuinely arm-friendly feel, and who have the swing speed to drive the high ~328 swingweight. The teardrop Sweet Zone head keeps it forgiving for a 98, and the open 16x19 pattern adds real spin and a higher, dipping ball flight. The honest trade-off is power: this frame asks you to supply your own pace, and short, lazy swings leave the ball sitting down. If you want easier pop and a lighter, more accessible frame, look at the Gravity MP — but for control, comfort and feel, the Gravity Tour is a standout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Head Gravity Tour good for beginners?

Not really. The Gravity Tour is a 305g, 98 sq in control frame with a high swingweight (~328) and a low power level, so it rewards a long, confident swing and is best for advanced 4.5+ players. Its teardrop Sweet Zone head shape makes it more forgiving than a typical 98, but beginners will struggle to generate their own depth. The lighter, more accessible Gravity MP (295g, 100 sq in, 16x20) is the better entry point into the Gravity line.

Head Gravity Tour vs MP — which should I buy?

Choose the Gravity Tour if you are an advanced player who wants a control-first 98 with an open 16x19 pattern, heavy spin potential and a plush, connected feel you can swing aggressively. Choose the Gravity MP (100 sq in, 16x20, 295g) if you want a lighter, more forgiving and slightly easier frame with a touch more free power and a semi-open pattern. The Tour is the more demanding, more precise racquet; the MP is the more accessible all-rounder.

Is the Head Gravity Tour arm-friendly?

Yes. With one of the lowest stiffness ratings in its class (~59 RA) and flex concentrated in the throat, the Gravity Tour is one of the more comfortable control frames on the market. It pockets the ball with long dwell time and a soft, organic impact. Pair it with a soft poly or a natural-gut hybrid at a sensible tension in the low 50s lbs and it is gentle on the arm, though its high swingweight still asks for sound technique and reasonable strength.

What racquet does Alexander Zverev use?

Alexander Zverev plays a Head Gravity-based pro frame, debuting the 2025 Gravity family at the Australian Open. Like most tour players, his actual racquet is heavily customised and significantly heavier than the retail Gravity Tour or Gravity Pro, so the off-the-shelf frame is a feel-and-character reference rather than a spec match for what he plays.

What string and tension is best for the Gravity Tour?

A soft control poly such as Head Lynx Tour at 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) is the default pairing — the low RA already supplies feel, so you don't need high tension. For more spin and a dipping arc, use a shaped poly like Solinco Hyper-G at 48–52 lbs. For maximum feel, a natural-gut mains / soft-poly crosses hybrid is exceptional in this frame. Because the Tour has a low power level by design, most players sit in the 48–55 lb window rather than higher.

Is the Gravity Tour a control or power racquet?

It is firmly a control racquet. The Gravity Tour is built around feel and precision rather than free power: a low ~59 RA, a 98 sq in head and a control-oriented layout mean the power that's there is mass-based, coming from the high swingweight rather than a springy beam. The open 16x19 pattern adds spin and a higher launch, but you supply the pace — this is a frame for players who want to place and shape the ball, not one that hands you cheap power.