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
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 |