Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus Review
If you didn’t already know, the legendary tennis player Andre Agassi has always been known for his close affiliation with the Head Radical series’ racquets. Head actually created a racquet just for him called the Bumblebee Radical when they first endorsed him in 1993. In 1999, the Head Radical Ti was made famous when Andre Agassi used it to win the French Open, making him the first player in history to ever win all four grand slams and an Olympic gold metal in singles (referred to in tennis as a Career Golden Slam). The Radical series has continued evolving to this day with new graphene models that optimize weight distribution, but the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus has always received great reviews overall, especially when it comes to areas concerning comfort, stability, mobility, power, and especially control. That’s why we went ahead and wrote a full Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus review in order to assess all of its strengths and weaknesses. So here you go, enjoy our Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus review.
>> More specs on the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus here <<
Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus Review
Features & Specifications
- MicroGEL material evenly distributes shock on ball impact
- Increased racquet head width for more spin
- HydroSorb grip for airflow and comfort
- Designed for increased control, stability, comfort, power, and mobility
- Pre-strung with Head Sonic Pro white at 57 lbs.
| String Pattern: | Headsize: | Weight / Balance Point: | Swing Weight: | Frame Stiffness: | Composition: |
| 18×20 |
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315 | 57 | MicroGEL / Graphite |
- MicroGEL Technology
The Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus is an improvement from the previous versions of the Radical series (most notably the Flexpoint Radical and Liquidmetal Radical), with the only exception being the addition of MicroGEL technology, the midplus design, and of course the new look as far as we could tell.
Regarding MicroGEL, this technology is a special silicone-based material with an extremely low density. It’s used throughout the racquet’s construction and combined with stiff carbon fibers in order to create a strong, durable racquet with an added feature. This unique construction allows the racquet to deform and compress when coming into contact with the ball, allowing all of the shock to disperse evenly throughout the frame. This helps to improve the feel for the racquet, increase the player’s control of the ball, and reduce shock levels for peak comfort. And with the increased head width of the Radical Midplus, this allows the ball to generate more spin since it slides further across the strings when the racquet flexes. This allows the ball to travel farther and bounce higher when topspin is applied.
With MicroGEL in mind, this racquet is an excellent option for tennis players who have long and fast strokes, which advanced players often do. The MicroGEL technology helps to reduce shock which results in less strain on your arms, elbows, and shoulders. But it also allows for improved control and stability, which is a must for some. So, for more aggressive, competitive players who like to control the direction of the ball, this racquet is sure to suit you well.
>> More reviews of the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus here <<
- Midplus Design
The Head MicroGEL Radical comes in 3 different designs, but the Midplus happens to appeal to us (and many others) much more than the rest. The MicroGEL Radical Oversize comes with a 107 sq.in head while the MicroGEL Radical Pro comes with a 100 sq.in frame, a 16×19 open string pattern, and a heavier handle (12 oz strung weight / 4 points head light). And although the MicroGEL Radical Pro is very similar to the Midplus, the Midplus just has a better feel to it that has everything a player could want. Comfort, stability, maneuverability, power, and of course control all-in-one racquet.
The fact that it has a 98 sq.in head size, 11 ounce strung weight, almost even balance point, and 21mm straight beam width means it’s safe to say that the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus was designed as a balanced racquet, with lots of control but also good amounts of power without sacrificing on comfort or feel. (If you don’t what these specs mean, read up on our guide on how to choose a racquet).
With that said, again, we highly recommend this racquet for more advanced players with long and fast strokes who prefer control above all else. The fact that the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus has a head with a larger width and MicroGEL technology provides exceptional feel means you can apply more spin to your shots (whether topspin, sidespin, or backspin) while controlling where the ball lands and how deep into the court it goes. Which ultimately means that plain, vanilla strokes won’t be the only weapon in your arsenal.
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Final Thoughts
If control, comfort, and feel is what you are looking for, the Head MicroGEL Radical Midplus would be a perfect fit for you. If you happen to have a long and fast swing style, the MicroGEL technology can help to reduce vibration and shock to your arms, elbows, and shoulders, while also improving on feel. As for the midplus design, it’s a great racquet if you apply lots of spin to your shots and prefer a racquet that is balanced in all departments. Just as long as you hit balls at the center of the racquet, however, will you notice the advantages of the MicroGEL technology and midplus design. That’s why we’ve stressed that this racquet is best for advanced and experienced players with lots of control. If you’re a player who still has a hard time finding that precious sweet spot, you’ll notice a significant drop off when it comes to generating power, and this racquet is likely not for you. If you consistently hit balls at the center though, producing powerful shots won’t be an issue for you and you’ll notice that you can control the depth, range, and spin of balls to a greater extent than other racquets.