Executive Summary
The Head Radical MP 2025 is the definitive "all-court" racquet in the modern Head lineup — and arguably in the entire market. Its reputation as "The People's Racquet" is well-earned: it doesn't force a particular game style, rewards both aggressive and defensive play, and suits a wider ability range than almost any competitor at the 98 sq in level.
Key Characteristic: A 305g frame with a 66 RA stiffness, 16×19 pattern, and ~323 strung swingweight — firmly positioned on the control side of the power-control scale. The Radical doesn't gift you free pace; it rewards clean, full swings with precise, predictable trajectories and excellent feel. Control players and all-court strategists consistently rate it as their best match tool.
Key Update (2025): Auxetic 2.0 extends the frame's flexible construction from the yoke (2023) into the handle as well. The result is a slightly more dampened, connected feel across the full string bed — off-center hits in particular feel more consistent and less jarring than in previous generations. Specs are essentially unchanged from the 2023 Auxetic 1.0 version; the improvement is in feel quality, not raw performance numbers.
Performance Profile
The Radical MP's identity is balance above all else. It competes directly with the Wilson Blade 98 16×19 and Dunlop CX 200. Understanding where it sits versus both clarifies its unique position.
Performance Comparison: Radical MP vs Radical Pro
Radical MP leads in spin and maneuverability · Radical Pro leads in control and stability
Model Comparison Guide
The Radical family covers two competitive player models and a range of recreational versions. The Pro vs MP decision is the most important one for serious players.
Radical Pro 2025
The demanding specialist. Dense 18×20 pattern, higher mass, more plow-through against heavy pace. Requires strong technique to unlock its full potential — rewards players who generate their own pace and want pinpoint targeting.
Radical MP 2025
The all-court standard. Lighter, faster, more spin-friendly than the Pro. Broad appeal without sacrificing the control and feel the Radical line is famous for. The strongest selling point is its versatility.
Radical Team / Elite 2025
Lighter versions for developing players and those who need an easier-to-swing frame. More power assist than the MP, less demanding physically. Good entry point to the Radical family's feel and character.
Radical Lite
The most accessible Radical. At 265g and ~62 RA it's extremely light and flexible — designed for recreational and senior players who need maximum comfort and maneuverability. Very forgiving, very comfortable, minimal physical demand. A significant step down in stiffness and stability from the MP.
Who Plays With This?
The Radical has attracted an unusually diverse roster of tour players — from baseliners to all-court experts. Tour versions are customized significantly, but the style profiles illustrate what the Radical MP enables.
Fritz's clean, aggressive flat groundstrokes and exceptional serve are hallmarks of the Radical's profile. The frame's control orientation lets him play flat with confidence, while the 16×19 pattern gives enough spin access when he needs to open up angles. One of the clearest style matches in the ATP top 10.
Cobolli's aggressive, early-ball style relies on precise placement and clean contact rather than raw power — the Radical's core strengths. His attacking approach game and sharp angles benefit from the frame's maneuverability and consistent, predictable string bed response.
Bellucci's emphasis on spin, placement, and tactical construction of points mirrors the Radical MP's strengths. The frame supports heavy topspin without being a power launcher, enabling the precise, high-percentage ball-striking style that defines his game.
The frame's icon. Agassi's extraordinary return game and early-ball precision defined what the Radical brand stands for. The modern Radical MP carries forward that DNA: a frame that rewards seeing the ball early, moving in to cut off angles, and hitting with flat, heavy precision. The 2025 version would feel familiar to him.
Technical Must-Knows
String Setup Guide
Quick Start
The Radical MP's 66 RA stiffness and control-oriented character reward strings that aren't too stiff. Avoid harsh co-polys strung at high tensions — the frame punishes mishits already, and a dead string bed exaggerates this. The 16×19 pattern gives reasonable spin access with most string types. Starting range: 48–55 lbs (21.8–25 kg).
Pro Reference
ATP tour players using Radical-family frames typically use natural gut hybrid setups or soft polys at mid-range tensions. Taylor Fritz has been associated with setups in the low-to-mid 50s with a co-poly full bed or gut/poly hybrid. For the retail MP, matching this approach (soft poly or gut main / poly cross) is the best way to unlock the frame's feel and touch.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Soft poly full bed (1.25mm) | 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) | The frame's natural character — controlled, spin-friendly, arm-comfortable |
| Max Feel / Touch | Natural gut mains + co-poly crosses | Gut 52–55 lbs / poly 49–52 lbs | Excellent ball feel, premium pocketing sensation — the Radical's best version |
| More Spin | Shaped poly (Hyper-G, Hexonic), 1.20–1.25mm | 48–51 lbs (21.8–23.2 kg) | More topspin bite; lower tension offsets the control-oriented pattern |
| More Power | Softer multifilament or gut-like poly (1.25mm) | 47–50 lbs (21.3–22.7 kg) | More free depth and launch — useful for players who find the frame too demanding |
| Max Control | Firm co-poly (ALU Power, Tour Bite) at higher tension | 54–58 lbs (24.5–26.3 kg) | Very flat, precise trajectory — for advanced players only, risk of arm stress |
Maintenance Rule
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the Radical MP 2025, based on reviewer playtests, community feedback, and the frame's 66 RA / 16×19 characteristics. The Radical rewards strings with a combination of control, feel, and moderate tension maintenance.
Best for: Players wanting a well-rounded, arm-friendly poly that amplifies the Radical's natural feel.
Head's own recommended string for this frame family, and the pairing earns its place. Lynx Tour is a softer, more connected co-poly that doesn't fight the 66 RA frame's flex. The result is a controlled, crisp string bed with good feel and adequate spin potential. Best starting point for any newcomer to the Radical MP — it's the "safe" setup that showcases the frame's natural character without extremes.
Best for: Players wanting the maximum feel, touch, and all-round performance the Radical MP can deliver.
The tour-tested hybrid for frames in this class. Natural gut mains deliver exceptional feel and pocketing that highlights the Radical's touch and net play, while ALU Power crosses add durability and lateral control. At 66 RA, the frame is soft enough to let the gut breathe and flex — a pairing that genuinely improves on any full-bed poly in this frame.
Best for: Players who want more topspin production from the Radical's controlled platform.
Hyper-G's square cross-section generates exceptional spin bite, compensating for the Radical's tighter-than-average center string pattern. The combination produces heavy, looping topspin groundstrokes that complement the Radical's precision with increased net clearance. String at the lower end of the reference range (48–50 lbs) to avoid a harsh feel in the 66 RA frame.
Pro tip: The Radical MP responds very well to natural gut mains at the 4.0+ level. If you've always hit with full-bed poly, trying a gut/poly hybrid in this frame is one of the clearest "quality of life" upgrades available — the improvement in touch and serve feel is pronounced, and arm fatigue typically drops noticeably.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Radical MP 2025 | Radical Pro 2025 | Radical Team 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 305g / 10.8oz | 310g / 10.9oz | 285g / 10.1oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~4 pts HL | ~6 pts HL | ~2 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 16×19 (Control Pattern) | 18×20 (dense, Control Pattern) | 16×19 |
| Beam Width | 20 / 23 / 21mm | 20 / 21 / 20mm | 20 / 24 / 21mm |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~65–66 | ~62–64 | ~63–65 |
| Swingweight (strung) | ~323 | ~330–332 | ~305 |
| Technology | Auxetic 2.0, Graphene Inside, Control Pattern | Auxetic 2.0, Graphene Inside, Control Pattern | Auxetic 2.0, Graphene Inside |
| Recommended Tension | 48–57 lbs | 48–57 lbs | 50–60 lbs |
| Target Player | Intermediate–Advanced (3.5–5.0) | Advanced–Elite (4.5+) | Recreational–Intermediate (2.5–4.0) |