Head YouTek IG Prestige Mid
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Prestigious amongst control based frames, the Head YouTek IG Prestige Mid provides prodigious precision. Not for all playing types, this racquet is definitely best suited for advanced level players who provide their own power by taking long and fast cuts at the ball. I was excited to play with this racquet’s 93 square inch head size, 2 square inches smaller than my own. But that excitement waned once the reality that such a subtle difference in head size can tremendously change the playability of a racquet.
Groundstrokes
The ground strokes were no exception to the concentration and focus this racquet required. When I hit the ball in the sweet spot, it was sweet, but doing that consistently was the challenge. Although the head-size proved too small for my abilities, the weight was much appreciated. Weighing in at 11.6 ounces unstrung made this racquet very stable. The hefty weight compensated for the regularity I hit outside the optimal zone, and provided some push that I wasn’t able to access from the center of the string bed.
Already lacking in the power department, the dense 18 by 20 string pattern didn’t help. With such low power, and balls landing shallow in the court, I often found myself on the defensive. I would have liked to see this racquet with a more open string pattern to compensate for its control orientation.
Volleys
This frame worked well at the net. The added weight kept the racquet from twisting in my hand due to heavily struck balls, and the control allowed me to place the ball accurately. However, the weight did hinder the racquets maneuverability.
Serve
My attempt at serving was my first reality check. The racquet undeniably provides control, but accessing it was the challenge. It took a few attempts before I could accurately place the racquet on the ball, let alone the ball in the court. Once I made some adjustments, I was able to begin play. The control the racquet provides is hardly matched, and the feel is nice, but this racquet is demanding. It took a lot more focus on my part to get the ball in the court and over the net, which should be easy to do from a shot that one has the most control over. Needless to say, it wasn’t.
Overall
My attempt at serving was my first reality check. The racquet undeniably provides control, but accessing it was the challenge. It took a few attempts before I could accurately place the racquet on the ball, let alone the ball in the court. Once I made some adjustments, I was able to begin play. The control the racquet provides is hardly matched, and the feel is nice, but this racquet is demanding. It took a lot more focus on my part to get the ball in the court and over the net, which should be easy to do from a shot that one has the most control over. Needless to say, it wasn’t.
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