Executive Summary
The Head Speed Pro 2024 is the heaviest and most demanding frame in the Speed family — and the most rewarding. It's positioned as Head's "precision power" option, sitting above the Speed MP in control and below the Gravity Pro in outright feel.
Key Characteristic: A uniquely wide 18x20 string pattern on a 100 sq in head creates a paradox: the forgiving head size of a modern player's frame with the surgical, flat-trajectory control of a dense 98. The result is a racquet that hits heavy, low, penetrating balls without requiring a small headsize to achieve it.
Key Update (2024): Auxetic 2.0 technology extends from the yoke into the handle, making the frame noticeably softer and more connected vs the 2022 version. The balance was also shifted 5mm more head-light for improved maneuverability — a meaningful change for a frame this heavy.
Performance Profile
The Speed Pro's 18x20 pattern on a 100 sq in head makes it unlike almost anything else on the market. Understanding its trade-offs vs the Speed MP clarifies exactly who this frame is for.
Performance Comparison: Speed Pro vs Speed MP
Speed Pro leads in control and stability · Speed MP leads in power and spin
On-Court Playtest
We put the Head Speed Pro 2024 through a full hitting session — groundstrokes, serves, returns and net play — strung with a soft poly in the low-50s. This is the control specialist of the Speed line, and on court its character is unmistakable: flat, low, precise and demanding. Here's how it plays, shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
The Speed Pro's defining trait shows up on the first ball: a flat, low, penetrating trajectory that almost no other 100 sq in frame produces. The dense 18×20 pattern clamps the ball, so the launch angle is low and the response is direct rather than springy — you place the ball, you don't fling it. There is no cheap power here. At ~310g with a swingweight around 333, this frame asks for a long, committed swing, and when you supply the racquet-head speed it returns a heavy, driving ball that stays down and moves through the court. The reward is precision: you can hit a target, take the ball early and redirect pace with real confidence. The flip side is that on lazy or late swings it simply won't bail you out — the dense pattern that gives the control also caps the free pace, so off days feel like hard work. It is the opposite of an open-pattern power frame: control is the baseline and you earn the depth.
Serve
On serve the Speed Pro rewards good technique with placement and a flat, skidding ball rather than effortless aces. The mass and stability let you drive through the ball for pace on first serves, and the dense pattern makes precise spots — out wide, into the body — repeatable. Slice and kick are there, but you have to work the wrist and racquet-head speed harder than you would on a more open frame, because the tight pattern bites the ball less aggressively. For an advanced server who lives on location and a heavy, penetrating flat ball, it's excellent; for a server who relies on big easy spin, the MP is the friendlier tool.
Volleys & Net
At net the Speed Pro is genuinely one of its strengths. The high mass and ~60 RA flex give it a planted, stable feel against pace — block volleys sit firm and don't twist or rattle off-centre. The 18×20 bed and flexible layup deliver a connected, muted touch that's superb for controlled volleys and precise placement deep in the court. The trade-off is the same as everywhere: it isn't a fast, flicky frame, so quick reflex exchanges and improvised half-volleys take more effort than they would with a lighter, more head-light racquet. Set up early and it's a precise, dependable volleying frame.
Return & Defence
Returning is where the Speed Pro's stability really pays off — it's no accident this is a great returner's frame. Against a big serve the mass holds firm and you can block the ball back deep and flat with a compact swing, immediately neutralising the point. The control lets you redirect pace and aim returns at a target rather than just getting them back. On defence the high swingweight is a double-edged sword: it gives you plough-through and a stable platform to drive a flat recovery ball, but it can feel a touch slow to whip up a desperate, high topspin lob from a stretched position. This is a frame that rewards being on time.
Comfort & Feel
Here the Speed Pro surprises people. Despite hitting a heavy ball, it is a flexible frame at around 60 RA, so its power and stability come from mass rather than stiffness — and Auxetic 2.0 extending into the handle gives it a notably connected, dampened, "warm" feel through contact. That makes it more arm-friendly than its ball weight suggests, and far gentler than a stiff power frame. The real comfort caveat isn't harshness, it's the high swingweight: over long matches the mass can fatigue the arm and shoulder if your technique or fitness isn't there. Strung sensibly — a soft poly at moderate tension, or a natural-gut hybrid — it stays comfortable and plush, and it's one of the more rewarding control frames to spend a long session with.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of — with the Speed Pro.
Pros
- Surgical control and a flat, low, penetrating ball flight
- Rock-solid stability and plough-through against pace
- Dense 18×20 on a 100 sq in head — more forgiving than a 98
- Flexible ~60 RA layup feels connected and arm-friendly for its weight
- Outstanding returner's and ball-striker's frame
- Excellent base for customisation (lead tape, Pro Legend)
Cons
- Demanding — needs a long, fast swing to access its power
- Low free power and spin vs an open 16×19 frame like the Speed MP
- High swingweight (~333) can fatigue the arm over long matches
- Not for beginners or developing techniques
- Low launch takes adjustment time to trust
- Less manoeuvrable in fast reflex exchanges
Model Comparison Guide
The Speed family covers a wide range. The Pro is the specialist at the top — higher mass, tighter pattern, more demanding, more rewarding.
Speed Pro
The precision weapon. Dense pattern, massive swingweight, and a flat, penetrating ball flight. Rewards aggressive baseliners who take the ball early and dictate with flat winners.
Speed MP
The versatile Speed. More forgiving, more spin-friendly, and easier to generate topspin. The natural entry point to the Speed line for developing players.
Speed Pro Legend
A heavier, blank-palette version of the Pro. Higher swingweight (330+) out of the box. Designed for players who add significant lead tape and want a pre-weighted starting point.
Who Plays With This?
The Speed Pro is the home of flat, aggressive ball strikers who thrive on heavy, penetrating groundstrokes. Tour frames are heavily customized — use these profiles to understand the game style the Speed Pro serves.
The greatest returner in history uses the Speed Pro for its surgical control and flat ball-striking ability. Djokovic's game is built on precision and stability under pressure — both core strengths of this frame. His tour version is significantly heavier with a much higher swingweight.
Sinner's powerful, flat-to-moderate topspin game benefits from the Speed Pro's precision and stability. His ability to take the ball early and drive it flat through the court is exactly what the 18x20 pattern enables at the highest level.
Rublev's relentless, flat forehand is the archetype of what the Speed Pro enables. He punishes any short ball with penetrating drives that stay low and move through the court — the signature ball flight of a dense 18x20 pattern.
One of the clearest style matches in the game. Karatsev stays close to the baseline and consistently takes the ball early to produce flat, heavy groundstrokes — the ideal use case for the Speed Pro's combination of stability and precision.
Technical Must-Knows
String Setup Guide
The Speed Pro's flexibility (60 RA) and dense pattern make it highly sensitive to string choice. The right string unlocks its connected feel; the wrong one amplifies the stiffness felt on off-center hits. 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) for the best blend of control and arm comfort.
- If the ball is floating: The 18x20 already controls — don't rush to high tension. Try a firmer poly before adding more lbs.
- If you want more spin: A shaped poly in the mains is your best tool — the pattern limits natural snapback. Drop 2 lbs and use a pentagonal or triangular cross-section poly.
- If the frame feels harsh: Drop 3–4 lbs and consider a hybrid setup (poly mains + natural gut or multifilament crosses). The 60 RA frame can amplify string stiffness unexpectedly.
Pro Reference
Novak Djokovic (Reported)
Setup idea: Natural gut mains / Luxilon ALU Power Rough crosses — the classic tour hybrid. Reportedly in the mid-50s lbs. Delivers the feel of gut with the control and durability of a poly cross.
Tour setups are heavily customized and vary by tournament. Djokovic's frame weight and swingweight differ significantly from retail specs.
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) | Connected, controlled response — the frame's natural strength |
| Max feel / comfort | Natural gut mains + poly crosses (hybrid) | Gut mains 54–57 lbs (24.5–26 kg) | Plush, alive sensation — maximizes the 60 RA frame's warmth |
| More control | Firmer poly or 1.30mm full bed | 52–56 lbs (23.5–25.5 kg) | Very flat, precise trajectory — for high ball-speed players only |
| More spin | Shaped poly mains (1.25mm) | 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | Better bite at contact, compensates for dense pattern's lower snapback |
| Max arm-friendliness | Soft poly mains + multifilament crosses | Poly mains 47–50 lbs (21.3–22.7 kg) | Significantly softer impact, pocketing feel — ideal for arm-sensitive players |
Maintenance Rule
- Restring on feel, not breakage. The 18x20 pattern holds tension longer than open patterns, but once a poly goes dead in this frame, the loss of feel is pronounced. Cut strings out when you notice loss of crispness on contact — don't wait for a break.
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the Speed Pro 2024, based on community feedback and playtests. The 60 RA flex and 18x20 pattern reward strings that prioritize feel and control over raw power.
Best for: Advanced players (4.5+) wanting tour-level control and precision.
The gold standard for dense-pattern frames at the tour level. ALU Power's crisp, controlled response pairs naturally with the Speed Pro's flat trajectory to produce surgical, penetrating balls. Drop 2–3 lbs below your normal setup to offset its firmness against the 60 RA frame.
Best for: Players who want maximum feel and arm-friendliness from the Speed Pro.
The tour-preferred setup for players in Djokovic's mold. Natural gut in the mains maximizes the frame's natural warmth and feel, while ALU Power crosses add durability and control. The 60 RA flex means the gut doesn't feel overpowered — it shines in this frame.
Best for: Players wanting a comfortable, well-rounded poly that complements the frame's character.
Head's own string pairing, used extensively in their demo/factory setups for a reason. Lynx Tour is a soft, controlled co-poly that doesn't fight the frame's flex. Excellent tension maintenance and a crisp-but-comfortable feel — the safest starting point for Speed Pro newcomers.
Pro tip: The Speed Pro is one of the few frames that genuinely rewards a natural gut hybrid at the club level. If your arm is struggling with the frame's high swingweight demands, gut mains will transform the experience before you consider switching frames.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Speed Pro | Speed MP | Speed Pro Legend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 310g / 10.9oz | 300g / 10.6oz | 315g / 11.1oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | 320mm / 6 pts HL | 330mm / 4 pts HL | 320mm / 6–7 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 18x20 (dense, precise) | 16x19 (open, spin-friendly) | 18x20 (dense, precise) |
| Beam Width | 23mm (constant) | 23mm (constant) | 23mm (constant) |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~60 (very flexible) | ~58–60 | ~60 |
| Swingweight | ~333 (strung) | ~325 | ~340+ (strung) |
| Technology | Auxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside | Auxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside | Auxetic 2.0 / Graphene Inside |
| Recommended Tension | 48–57 lbs | 48–57 lbs | 48–57 lbs |
Our Verdict
The Speed Pro is a specialist control weapon — a flat, low, penetrating ball and rock-solid stability in a dense 18×20 that's more forgiving than a 98, for advanced players who supply their own racquet-head speed.
It's the racquet we'd recommend to advanced flat hitters and big returners (4.5+) who take the ball early, dictate with precision and want surgical control rather than effortless free power. The 310g weight and high swingweight demand a long, committed swing, so it isn't a frame for beginners or developing techniques — if that's you, the lighter, more open 16×19 Speed MP is the friendlier choice. The one thing to respect isn't harshness — at ~60 RA it's genuinely flexible and arm-friendly for its ball weight — but the mass: string it sensibly with a soft poly at moderate tension or a natural-gut hybrid, and it stays comfortable over long sessions. For a control player who wants a planted, precise platform, the Speed Pro is one of the best in its class.
Frequently Asked Questions
What racquet does Novak Djokovic use?
Novak Djokovic plays with a Speed-shaped pro stock frame painted to look like the retail Head Speed Pro. His actual racquet is a heavily customised, much heavier version with a far higher swingweight than the retail 310g model, strung with a natural gut mains / Luxilon ALU Power Rough crosses hybrid in the mid-50s lbs. The retail Speed Pro shares the cosmetic and the dense 18x20, control-first character, but it is not the same frame Djokovic actually competes with.
Is the Head Speed Pro good for beginners?
No — the Speed Pro is an advanced player's frame (4.5+). Its 310g weight, very high swingweight (~333) and dense 18x20 pattern demand a long, fast swing to generate power and access the flat, penetrating ball flight, which makes it unforgiving for developing technique. Beginners and improvers are far better served by the lighter, more open 16x19 Speed MP (300g), which swings easier, helps generate spin and is much more accessible.
Head Speed Pro vs Speed MP — which should I buy?
Choose the Speed Pro if you are an advanced flat hitter who takes the ball early and wants surgical control, a low launch and rock-solid stability from a dense 18x20 pattern. Choose the Speed MP if you want a more accessible, versatile frame: its 16x19 open pattern is more forgiving, spins the ball up more easily and is lighter to swing. In short, the Pro is the specialist control weapon and the MP is the all-round choice for most intermediate-to-advanced players.
Is the Head Speed Pro arm-friendly?
Relatively, yes. At ~60 RA the Speed Pro is a genuinely flexible frame, so its power and stability come from mass and swingweight rather than stiffness — and Auxetic 2.0 in the handle adds a connected, muted feel. That makes it more comfortable than its heavy ball would suggest. The caveat is the high swingweight: it can fatigue the arm and shoulder over long matches if your technique or fitness isn't up to it. A soft poly at moderate tension, or a natural-gut hybrid, keeps it arm-friendly.
What string and tension is best for the Speed Pro?
A soft poly such as Head Lynx Tour or Luxilon ALU Power at 50–54 lbs (22.5–24.5 kg) is the best all-round starting point — the dense 18x20 already controls the ball, so you don't need high tension. For maximum feel and comfort, a natural gut mains / poly crosses hybrid in the mid-50s is the tour-preferred setup. If you want more bite, a shaped poly in the mains compensates for the pattern's lower snapback. The frame's reference range is 48–57 lbs.
Is the Head Speed Pro a control or power racquet?
It is firmly a control racquet. The dense 18x20 pattern, low ~60 RA flex and flat launch angle make it a precision frame built for placement and a low, penetrating ball rather than effortless free power. The power it does produce is mass-based — generated by its 310g weight and high swingweight when you swing fast — not the springy, easy launch of a stiff power frame like the Pure Drive. You supply the racquet-head speed; it supplies control and stability.