Intro
When HEAD launched the Gravity racquet franchise just prior to the US Open, we got the usual Pro, MP, MP Lite, S, and Lite models. The racquets offered a clean and comfortable response with a soft flex at impact. Now HEAD has given us one more Gravity to choose from this holiday season; the Gravity Tour.
The Tour fills the gap between the 11.0 ounce Mid Plus and the substantially heavier 11.7 ounce Pro model. The Tour’s construction uses the same 22 millimeter beam as the Mid Plus, but it borrows the dense 18 x 20 string pattern of the Pro. As a big fan of the entire Gravity line, I was pumped to play test the latest configuration.
Groundstrokes
Not to spoil the rest of the review for you, but the Gravity Tour is everything I crave in a modern player’s racquet. The 305 gram (10.8 ounce) unstrung weight feels lightning quick compared to the near 12 ounce Pro. Though I loved the stability of the Pro, it was too demanding for my level of tennis at times. The Tour toes the line between mobility and stability better than any Gravity to date. With a slightly lower swing weight than the Pro, the Gravity Tour felt just as capable hitting higher, loopier topspin shots, as it did flattening out finishing groundstrokes. I can’t remember an easier-to-play 18 x 20 tennis racquet from the baseline than the Gravity Tour.
Serves
While not as spin friendly as the Mid Plus’ 16 x 20 string pattern, the Gravity Tour offers increased directional control on serve. First serves felt explosive and the response was very consistent. Sometimes a racquet can have “hot spots”, where the ball just flies on you, but with the Gravity Tour I felt a remarkable amount of precision. I loved the way the racquet flexed, and it was extraordinarily comfortable, even with polyester strings at 50 pounds. The Gravity Tour offers more power than the similarly specked Head Prestige Tour and Wilson Blade V7 18 x 20.
Volleys
Volleying is where the Tour’s improved mobility over the Pro shows out. Though it is slightly less head light, the Gravity Tour handles sizzling passing shots with ease, and is easier to keep in proper volleying position thanks to the reduced weight. The 22 millimeter beam offers a good amount of punching power, but with a more controlled feel at contact than the MP. The blend of mobility, power and comfort at the net is unique in a modern player frame.
Overall
The last Gravity racquet of 2019 is my favorite of the series. It blends a mobile yet stable 10.8 oz (unstrung) package, with a powerful and flexible 22 millimeter beam. The 18 x 20 string pattern allows the perfect amount of control to help showcase HEAD’s new Spiralfiber technology, which offers a soft flex and clean feel at impact. The Gravity Tour is an excellent choice for a player that loves a controlled frame, but needs a little more help with power. I would say the frame offers more power than the Graphene Touch Prestige MP, and slightly less power than the Graphene 360 Speed Pro. Any 4.5+ player looking for a different feel in a player frame, should demo the Gravity Tour ASAP.
Note: Playtest racquet was strung with HEAD Hawk Touch 17G @ 50 pounds.
Play Tester: Sam Jones
Height: 5′ 11″
Weight: 207 lbs
NTRP Rating: 5.0
Plays: Right Handed, Two-Handed Backhand
Background: Sam currently works at Tennis Express on the Content Marketing team. He previously played at Southwestern University, taught tennis for 10+ years and earned his Master Racquet Technician Certification in 2011. He is an active USTA League and Tournament player at the 5.0+ level. He secretly wants Djokovic to become the GOAT in tennis.
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