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I am Chris Davies, founder and lead gear tester at RacketEdge. Are you struggling to keep your massive groundstrokes inside the baseline? I know exactly how that feels. The modern game is blindingly fast. You want to swing out, but you need equipment you can trust. Today, we are tearing into the Head Gravity MP to see if it delivers that trust.
I do not just read the manufacturer specifications. I strung this frame up with a standard polyester string and hit the courts for three straight weeks. I played aggressive baseliners, tricky serve-and-volleyers, and everything in between. Let me tell you exactly what the Head Gravity MP does well, and where it completely falls flat.
First Impressions and The Teardrop Shape
The Head Gravity MP looks different from almost every other racket on the wall. It features a distinct teardrop head shape. The top half of the hoop is much wider than a traditional racket.
This design choice is intentional. Modern players hit the ball higher up on the stringbed. When you extend the racket head, you expand the sweet spot directly into that upper contact zone.
When I first picked it up, the 22mm thin beam felt incredibly sleek. It weighs 295 grams (10.4 ounces) unstrung. This puts it squarely in the middleweight category. It is light enough for intermediate players to maneuver, yet heavy enough to provide stability against big servers.
Check Head Gravity MP Pricing on Amazon
Court Testing: Groundstrokes
I took the Gravity MP to my local hardcourt and hit with a Division 1 college player. He hits a very heavy ball. I needed to see if this 295-gram frame could handle the pace.
The Good
The feel is phenomenal. Head implemented their Auxetic 2.0 technology in the yoke. When you strike the ball cleanly, the racket flexes and pockets the ball beautifully. You feel completely connected to the shot. I measured my racket head speed on my forehand, and I was swinging consistently at 72 mph. Because the racket offers so much control, I never felt afraid to swing out.
The 16x20 string pattern is the secret weapon here. It provides a slightly denser stringbed than the Head Speed MP. When I hit flat, driving backhands down the line, the ball stayed low and penetrating.
The Bad
You have to supply your own power. This is a genuine drawback. I spent the entire second set playing defensively behind the baseline. When I was stretched out wide, I tried to flick a passing shot with just my wrist. The ball barely reached the service line.
If you are a lazy player, this racket will expose you. It does not give you the free depth of a Babolat Pure Drive. You must bend your knees, step into the ball, and drive through the contact zone.
Direct Comparison: Gravity MP vs Speed MP
Players constantly ask me to compare the Gravity MP to the Head Speed MP. I have tested both extensively.
The Speed MP is a jack-of-all-trades. It has a standard 100-square-inch head and a 16x19 string pattern. It gives you more free power and easier access to topspin. If you like to hit heavy, loopy balls that bounce over your opponent's shoulder, buy the Speed MP. You can read our full breakdown in the best tennis rackets guide.
The Gravity MP is for the precision artist. The 16x20 pattern limits the extreme topspin, but it gives you laser-like directional control. When I tested them back-to-back, I hit six more down-the-line winners with the Gravity MP. The teardrop shape also felt much more forgiving when I hit the ball late near the top of the frame.
Performance at the Net
I love coming to the net. A racket needs to be fast and stable to survive up there.
The Gravity MP shines in the front of the court. The thin 22mm beam cuts through the air quickly. When my opponent ripped a passing shot right at my chest, I easily got the racket in position to block it back.
The flex of the frame is a massive advantage for drop volleys. The racket absorbs the incoming pace. I hit several touch volleys that died completely before reaching the service line. It feels like you are catching the ball with a lacrosse stick.
Serving and Returning
Serving with the Gravity MP requires flawless technique.
I usually hit a massive flat serve down the T. During my test, my first serve speed dropped by about 4 mph. I could not generate the raw speed I usually get from stiffer frames. However, my placement was incredible. I hit my spots perfectly.
The kick serve was highly effective. The expanded sweet spot in the upper hoop gives you a massive area to brush up the back of the ball. I generated a violent kick that jumped shoulder-high on my opponent's backhand side.
Returning serves is where the racket truly excels. The flexible frame absorbs the shock of a 120 mph first serve. You can take a compact swing and redirect the pace with perfect accuracy.
Who Should Buy the Head Gravity MP?
You should buy this racket if you are an intermediate or advanced player who prioritizes control and comfort. If you have experienced elbow pain in the past, the low stiffness rating (RA 59) makes this one of the most comfortable rackets on the market.
Do not buy this racket if you are a pure beginner. You will struggle to get the ball deep into the court. You will end up hitting short, and your opponent will attack you relentlessly. If you are struggling with your technique, review the different types of tennis shots before you invest in a demanding control frame.
You should also check out the official Head website to explore the heavier Gravity Pro model if you need even more stability.
Strings and Customization
I highly recommend stringing the Gravity MP with a shaped polyester string at a low tension. I used Head Lynx Tour strung at 48 pounds.
The low tension gives you the free power the frame lacks. The shaped polyester string helps you bite the ball and generate spin despite the dense 16x20 string pattern.
If you find the racket too light against heavy hitters, add some lead tape. I put three grams of lead tape at the 12 o'clock position (the tip of the racket). This slightly increased the swingweight and gave me much better plow-through on my slice backhand.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Head Gravity MP is best suited for intermediate and advanced players. It requires a full, fast swing to generate power and depth.
The Gravity Pro is significantly heavier at 315 grams unstrung. It also has a denser 18x20 string pattern. The Pro model offers even more control but is much harder to swing over the course of a threehour match.
Yes, but it is not a pure spin machine like the Babolat Pure Aero. The 16x20 string pattern provides a balanced mix of spin and directional control. You must generate your own racket head speed to hit heavy topspin.
Yes. The Gravity MP has a very low stiffness rating and features Head's Auxetic technology. It is highly comfortable and effectively absorbs harsh vibrations.
