INTRODUCTION: The four frames in the 2012 Head Youtek IG Prestige collection are the Mid Plus, the Mid, The Pro and the S (for Sport). Although this review is of the 2012 Head Youtek IG Prestige MP, I was able to take all four models on court and test them side by side over the course of a long weekend. The MidPlus, the Mid and the Pro were strung in Head Sonic Pro 17 at a mid-tension, and the S was strung in FXP Tour, also at mid-tension.

Conditions for testing were ideal as having the three heavier racquets strung identically meant that the racquets themselves were the only variable. And being able to test all four racquets at the same time made it easy to isolate and compare the racquets' characteristics.

For the Prestige loyalists who wouldn't consider playing with another racquet, you'll already know which of the four models you're going to use. If it's the MidPlus, which is the subject of this review, what will be of most interest will be how I found the racquet's playability. However, if you're looking to switch to a Prestige, but haven't yet decided which of the four frames you want, I will be making comparisons between the MidPlus and the other three frames to help you narrow your choice. These comparisons are not extensive, just general observations.  You can read more detailed reviews of the other three racquets by clicking on the links below this review.

GROUNDSTROKES: From the first ball, no, make that from even before the first ball was hit, the racquet felt great in my hand. At 11.3oz  unstrung and 1 1/3" head light, the racquet felt lighter than its weight. But when I first made my first contact, the racquet felt even better. Its solidity and feel, combined with the slight amount of the Prestige's familiar flex, added up to a racquet that I knew I would love. And I did.

As a player, I appreciate that racquet choices are heavily subjective. But there are some racquets that demand universal popularity. If you're someone who knows your way around a tennis court, I don't think it's possible to be critical of the 2012 Head Youtek IG Prestige MP. Off the ground, it's solid, it's accurate, it's smooth, it's spin-friendly, it's maneuverable and it has just enough flexibility to offer exceptional feedback to the hand and arm.

After hitting enough balls to develop a real feel for the racquet, I compared it to the other three frames in the line, starting with the Head Youtek IG Prestige Pro. I found the main differences between the MP and the Pro to be swing speed (the slightly lighter and lighter in the head MP was a little faster through the air), and the impression that the MP was a little smoother on contact. I could generate a little more power with the Pro (probably due to a little extra weight in the head); however, I found I could generate a little more spin with the MidPlus. I suspect the extra spin was due to a little more racquet speed, even though the Pro has a more open string pattern (18x20 MP VS 16x19 Pro).

Comparing the MP to the Mid was an exercise in distinguishing subtleties. The Mid variation on the Prestige theme is also a superb racquet. Its thinner beam (21mm MP vs 19mm Mid), smaller head size (98 sq in MP vs 93 sq in Mid) and slightly heavier weight  (11.3oz MP vs 11.6oz Mid)  won't appeal to as wide a range of players as the Mid Plus, but it's a fantastic racquet for hitting power drives and/or a heavy ball with loads of spin. And like the Mid Plus, it feels lighter than its weight, so generating racquet speed also comes very easily.

If you don't have any difficulty middling the ball, love generating your own pace but want a racquet with plenty of feel, the 2012 Head Youtek IG Prestige Mid tennis racquet offers everything you'd expect in a true players frame. As to which of the three Prestige choices is the best racquet, I don't think it's possible to single any of them out. All three have slightly different playing characteristics, and my guess is that virtually every player who likes the feel of one of the racquets will also like the feel of the other two.

Subjectively speaking, I loved the Mid Plus for its comfort, and the Pro and the Mid for being able to produce a slightly heavier ball.

Which brings me to the comparison between the Mid Plus and the 'S' (for Sport) model of the series. This was an interesting case study as, in the past, lighter versions of the standard frame, usually called a "Team" model, vary in weight only. This is not the case with the Head Youtek IG Prestige S. Further to the variation in weight (the S is .5 ounce lighter than the Mid Plus), the S has a wider beam (21mm vs 22mm) and a more open string pattern (18x20 MP vs 16x19 'S'). The idea behind this is to try and achieve for a younger or less physically robust player playing with the 'S' the same result as a stronger player playing with the heavier Mid Plus version.

On an absolute comparative basis, the 'S' model did not suit my game as well as the other three frames. Which is exactly how it should be. The 'S' is designed for both good up and coming juniors looking for a racquet that demands a high level of skill while offering a small amount of extra power and maneuverability, or advanced, mature players who want a comfortable, control oriented players racquet weighing less than 11 ounces.

VOLLEYS:  The Head Youtek IG Prestige Mid Plus is as easy to volley with as it is for hitting groundstrokes. When I'm testing a racquet at the net, I want to know if it's maneuverable, if it has the feel I need to vary the type of volley I want to hit, and, most importantly, whether it's stable. In all three departments, the Mid Plus excelled. The racquet dictated to the ball exactly the way it should behave. There were no surprises. If I wanted firm, I got firm. If I wanted touch and feel, I got touch and feel. That's because the racquet has excellent solidity and firmness combined with just enough softness and flexibility to offer the whole range of what's needed at the net.

On top of everything else, I found that the racquets extremely high level of comfort created the impression that I was able to hold the ball on the strings for an unusually long time. There is nothing worse than trying to volley with a racquet that feels as if it's going to break in half when trying to volley against power. The Head Youtek IG Prestige MP does just the opposite; namely, it catches the ball and asks you what you want to do with it before firming it into the corner or angling it off for a winner.
 

SERVES and OVERHEADS: Pure smoothness. In either case, whether serving or hitting overheads, the racquet is like an extension of the arm.  The racquet absorbs impact as well as anything I've ever played with. This quality makes the ball feel "light" on impact, which, apart from any other consideration, means that it's very easy on the shoulder and arm.

For serving, it was equally good for flat, slice and kick serves. Tremendous racquet speed, comfortable and forgiving on contact, really good spin production and totally predictable results were what I felt when serving. Couldn't fault it.

RETURN OF SERVE: Nothing to add here other than to say that some racquets lend themselves to doing a particular thing exceptionally well; e.g., blocking back huge first serves, and some racquets do other things particularly well; e.g., taking massive swings off mediocre serves, but this superb all around racquet does everything well. Just as with rallying at the baseline, volleying
and smashing at the net and serving, I couldn't find a weakness with this racquet. Which is no doubt why this classic racquet has so well stood the test of time. 

MORE HEAD TENNIS RACQUET REVIEWS
 

Head Youtek IG Prestige S Tennis Racquet Review

Head Youtek IG Prestige Mid Tennis Racquet Review

Head Youtek IG Prestige Pro Tennis Racquet Review