HEAD Speed vs. HEAD Gravity

The HEAD Speed and HEAD Gravity are two of the most popular racquet families in the game, and they share a lot of DNA. Both carry Auxetic 2.0 technology. Both deliver the comfort and feel that HEAD is known for. Both show up on the biggest stages of professional tennis. But they play very differently.

The Speed is HEAD's all-court precision racquet, built for clean ball striking and directional accuracy. The Gravity is HEAD's spin-and-feel racquet, built around a teardrop head shape that rewards modern stroke mechanics with heavy topspin and a generous sweet spot.

This guide breaks down the six most popular models, three from each line, so you can figure out which one fits your game.

Tour Pedigree

The Speed is the racquet of choice for Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Karolina Muchova and Rafael Jodar. It's HEAD's most popular line and its most versatile all-court family, rewarding quickness, precision, and clean ball striking with predictable trajectories and a firm, planted feel at contact.

The Gravity is endorsed by Alexander Zverev and Andrey Rublev, two of the most powerful ball strikers in the men's game. Both use the Gravity Pro, and both rely on the frame's ability to redirect pace with precision while generating heavy groundstrokes from the baseline. HEAD has positioned the Gravity as the modern successor to the Prestige, pairing Prestige-level precision with a more spin-friendly platform.

The Core Design Difference

The biggest difference between these two lines is head shape, and it drives everything else about how they play.

The Speed uses a traditional, rounded head shape with a centered sweet spot. It produces a lower, more predictable trajectory off the face. If you like to flatten out shots, hit through the court, and place the ball with precision, this is the shape for you.

The Gravity uses HEAD's teardrop head shape, called the Sweet Zone. The widest section of the head sits higher in the hoop, creating a larger contact area near the tip. This produces a naturally higher trajectory with more topspin and a distinctive ball-pocketing sensation where you feel the ball load into the strings before it leaves the racquet.

Technology

What They Share

Both lines carry Auxetic 2.0 construction (carbon fiber layup extending from the yoke into the handle) and Graphene Inside reinforcement. Both use box beam geometry that prioritizes feel and control.

HEAD Speed 2026: Hy-Bor

The 2026 Speed introduces Hy-Bor, an aerospace-grade composite that combines boron and carbon fibers in the shaft. It delivers improved stability at contact and two to three times better dampening compared to standard carbon fiber. The frame feels planted and direct on impact without sacrificing arm comfort.

HEAD Gravity 2025: Teardrop Sweet Zone

The Gravity's defining feature is its teardrop head shape, which places the sweet spot higher in the hoop. The 2025 generation added a half-cap grommet design for improved durability and that signature crisp sound at impact. The Pro and MP models also feature an elliptical beam cross-section in the shoulder area for more flex and improved feel.

The Six Models: Head to Head

Pro vs. Pro: Maximum Control

Both Pro models use an 18x20 string pattern and a 100-square-inch head. Both are built for advanced and tournament players who generate their own power.

Beam width tells the story. The Speed Pro's 23mm beam gives it more free power and a livelier response. The Gravity Pro's 20mm beam, the narrowest in the family, produces a softer, more connected feel with less inherent power. If you supply your own pace, the Gravity Pro rewards you with precision and plush feedback. If you want a little help from the frame, the Speed Pro is more forgiving.

The Gravity Pro's 59 RA is one of the softest stiffness ratings on any modern performance racquet. That flex is a huge selling point for players with arm concerns. The Speed Pro sits at 61 RA, still comfortable, and Hy-Bor's damping makes it play even softer than the number suggests.

Tour vs. Tour: Precision Meets Maneuverability

Both Tour models are smaller-headed precision frames at 305g unstrung with 16x19 patterns. Both were new additions to their respective lines, and both became immediate hits.

Balance is the key difference. The Speed Tour's 6-point head-light balance makes it quicker through the contact zone and particularly sharp at the net. The Gravity Tour's 4-point head-light balance puts more mass in the hoop, generating a heavier ball with more stability, but it asks for a bit more effort in fast exchanges.

The Gravity Tour was the smallest head the Gravity line had ever offered (98 sq. in.), and combined with the teardrop shape and open pattern, it delivers a spin-friendly, high-trajectory ball that kicks up off the court. Kick serves and out-wide placement feel particularly satisfying.

The Speed Tour fills the gap between the MP and the Pro. Its 97-square-inch head and headlight balance reward players who come forward, slice, volley, and serve with variety. It's a control-leaning Speed without the full weight of the Pro.

MP vs. MP: The All-Rounders

The MP models are the most accessible performance racquets in each line. Both have 100-square-inch heads and open string patterns. Both are built for intermediate and advanced players who want a frame that performs well everywhere.

The Gravity MP is the softest racquet on this list at 57 RA, making it one of the most arm-friendly frames HEAD makes. That flex creates outstanding ball pocketing and a buttery feel. The Speed MP at 60 RA with Hy-Bor damping is still very comfortable, but plays with a slightly firmer, more connected response.

The Gravity MP's 16x20 pattern is slightly denser than the Speed MP's 16x19. But paired with the teardrop head shape, the Gravity MP still generates plenty of topspin while adding a bit more control. The Speed MP's open 16x19 gives it more free spin and power, making it the easier of the two to generate depth with.

Both racquets feel surprisingly stable for their weight class. The Speed MP plays heavier than its 300g thanks to the 23mm beam, while the Gravity MP at 295g swings quickly and accelerates through the contact zone.

On-Court Performance

Baseline

The Speed is a precision instrument from the back of the court. The lower trajectory and predictable string response let you paint lines, flatten out approaches, and redirect pace with accuracy. Hy-Bor gives all three models a planted, stable sensation, and the Speed Pro in particular rewards full, aggressive swings with a pleasing impact sound.

The Gravity is a spin machine from the baseline. Higher trajectory and ball pocketing produce heavy topspin groundstrokes that kick off the court and push opponents deep. The Gravity Tour has impressed playtesters with how much spin and depth it generates relative to how easy it is to swing.

Net

The Speed's rounded head shape and predictable response make it the more natural volley racquet. The Speed Tour is the quickest of the six at the net thanks to its 97-square-inch head and headlight balance. The Gravity performs well at the net, and the Gravity Tour is maneuverable enough for comfortable net play, but the teardrop shape and higher balance point can feel slightly slower in rapid-fire exchanges.

Serve

The Speed Pro's 18x20 pattern excels on flat serves with low, skidding trajectories. The Speed Tour and MP open up kick and slice options with their 16x19 patterns.

The Gravity Tour shines on serve. The teardrop shape and 16x19 pattern make kick serves and out-wide placement satisfying, generating spin and depth with less effort than most 98-square-inch frames.

Which Line Is Right for You?

Choose the Speed if you:

• Play an aggressive all-court game from every position
• Prefer a lower, more penetrating ball flight
• Value directional accuracy over spin generation
• Want the stability and damping of Hy-Bor technology
• Hit with a mix of flat and topspin shots

Choose the Gravity if you:

• Play with heavy topspin and modern stroke mechanics
• Prefer a higher trajectory with natural depth and kick
• Value feel, ball pocketing, and a soft flex at contact
• Want one of the most arm-friendly frames on the market
• Shape the ball creatively with racquet head speed

The Rest of the Lineup

Both families extend beyond these six models with lighter options for developing players. The Speed line includes the MP L (285g), MP UL (265g), Speed Team (275g), and Speed Elite (255g), plus junior models. The Gravity line includes the Gravity MP L (280g) and Gravity Team (270g). All lighter models carry the same core technology as their respective families.

Ready to Find Your Fit?

Both lines are available at Tennis Express, and demo racquets from each family are available through the Tennis Express Demo Program. If you're torn between the two, demo one model from each line. The difference in feel and trajectory will be obvious from the first few swings.