HEAD Speed MP 2026 Tennis Racquet Review

The Speed MP is the easy one to love in Head's 2026 Speed line. A light, comfortable 100 that swings itself and looks after your arm, and quietly one of the most sensible frames on the wall.

What changed for 2026

The Speed sits in the middle of Head's range, a well-rounded frame with easy access to power and easy access to control, rather than a specialist at either end. For 2026, Head worked HY-BOR material into the graphite layup. The effect is a little more perceived stability at contact, a firmer, more planted feel when you meet the ball, without stiffening the racquet up.

That last part matters on the MP. The Speed has always been a comfortable, arm-friendly frame, and the 2026 version keeps the soft flex. You get the steadier feel of the new material and the same easy response, which is exactly what you want in a racquet you are going to hit with a lot.

The three Speeds share the same beam width for 2026 and the same black-and-white look. What separates them is weight, head size, and string pattern, and the MP is the lightest and most accessible of the set.

How it plays

The MP is easy to swing and easy to like. At 10.6 ounces unstrung it gets moving without much effort, and one of our testers kept coming back to how sweetly the Speed struck the ball once it was up to speed.

Easy through the ball

The weight and balance are the story. The frame swings freely and meets the ball with a clean, planted feel, and the full 100 head gives you a forgiving sweet spot to find. It rewards a smooth, repeatable stroke rather than demanding a huge one.

Spencer, Tennis Express Tester

Comfort you can play all day

Comfort is the MP's real calling card. The soft flex and the arm-friendly response make it a frame you can hit with for hours, which is why we would point an improving player straight to it. Healthy tendons and no tennis elbow matter more than a few extra grams of plow, especially for someone building the habit of playing regularly.

Balanced, not specialized

It does not lean hard in any direction. There is easy access to power and easy access to control, and the 16x19 pattern on the 100 head gives enough bite to shape the ball without turning it into a spin machine. That balance is the point, a frame that does everything competently and nothing awkwardly.

Which Speed is for you

The MP is the lightest and friendliest of the three. If you want a smaller head and a more control-first feel, the 97 Speed Tour is the middle option. If you want a heavier control frame with a dense pattern, step up to the Speed Pro. Most players who like the Speed feel should start here.

Sam, Tennis Express playtester, on who the MP suits

Who should buy it

The Speed MP is for intermediates and for beginners who are starting to play regularly and want a comfortable, easy-swinging frame that protects the arm. It has enough power and control to grow with, and the forgiveness of the full 100 head keeps it friendly while your strokes come together.

If you are an advanced player who wants a heavier, more demanding platform and your own power ceiling, the Speed Tour or the Speed Pro will suit you better. For a healthy, sustainable game, though, the MP is the smart place to start.