HEAD YouTek IG Prestige S Tennis Racquet Review

Head adds to its successful YouTek IG line with the Prestige S.  It’s tour-level performance will appeal to a wide range of players. Featuring a lighter weight at 10.8 ounces unstrung, this frame features all of the technology of its classic relatives.

The Innegra fibers are integrated into the frame to increase the strength as well as reduce vibration for improved comfort. Combining a 98-square inch head size and an open 16×19 string pattern, the YouTek IG Prestige S delivers versatile performance with easy access to spin. To guarantee that the feel remains largely unchanged from the remainder of the family, the d3O material remains to ensure dynamic response.

Star Rating:
Cost:$189.95
Where to Buy: [amazon_link id=”B003E3MW2O” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Amazon[/amazon_link]

The lightest and fastest feeling of the Prestige line up, this S version provides easier access to spin.  Its blend of stability and maneuverability from this racquet is better than any I’ve tested to date. The precise Prestige feel remains, even if the weight doesn’t.

At the baseline this racquet feels very fast and easy to swing. Players who like to take a big cut at the ball and hit with a lot of topspin will find some added kick to their shots with this one. The feel from the stringbed is very comfortable and plush. I felt very connected to the ball, promoting confidence during aggressive hitting.  It has a large sweet spot, so off center shots don’t make you feel as if you’re playing with a foreign object. It has a nice amount of flexibility that feels equally good when hitting big forehands as it does when playing touch shots. It also absorbs the impact of the ball in true “Prestige” fashion. Like the other three models in the Head Youtek IG Prestige range, the ‘S” version gave me the feeling that I could hold the ball on the strings for an unusually long time. This helps when generating topspin, which was also helped by the racquet’s head light balance and open string pattern.  Hitting slice was also a breeze with this versatile, all around frame.

At net, the blend of stability and maneuverability makes this racquet feel solid, yet surprisingly easy to get into position. It’s a great fit for those seeking a precise feel in a mid weight racquet, and also a great option for those looking to step up to a Prestige for the first time as well as those who are starting to find the heavier Prestige racquets now too demanding.    It’s an agile, maneuverable racquet that offers nice stability and exceptional control. With a weight of 10.8 ounces, it’s not a light racquet; however, it feels light to move around. And this is why the racquet really excels; it plays like a true players “stick”.

On Serves and volleys, the Prestige has an excellent swing speed, a big sweet spot and plenty of power, comfort and control. On the serve, there was plenty of “bite” for kicks and slices, and a good amount of power for big, flat serves.  On the return, this is where the Prestige really excels.  It accommodates the necessity of sometimes blocking back big serves with abbreviated, compact swings or, other times, the invitation to hit full blooded drives off the weaker deliveries.

The Head YouTek IG Prestige S should probably be considered Head’s flagship model.  It suits both competitive young players and skilled players who want the ultimate in power, control and comfort, but are uncomfortable with any frames over 11 ounces.  With control and precision as its hallmarks, the Prestige S works great for advanced younger players, as well as advanced adults who love the trademark Prestige feel.  With the Prestige S, you now have a frame that offers the same superb playability as the Prestige MidPlus, the Prestige Pro and the Prestige Mid.

Check out the video review, the Head Technology descriptions and Prestige S Specs….

d30 d3o belongs to the “smart materials” category, which is a futuristic material with abnormal behavior characteristics. More specifically, d3o belongs to a subcategory of “dilatant foams”, which dramatically change their behavior under dynamic loading or impact. Integrated in the lay-up and positioned in the shaft of the racquet, d3o offers new possibilities for tennis players.The d3o technology is able to sense the needs of the players during different strokes (it’s able to adapt to you). On high-speed impacts (aggressive shots), the smart molecules lock together within nanoseconds and dramatically increase the stiffness of the whole racquet frame to provide maximum power. On slow-speed impacts (slice or drop shots), the d3o molecules absorb the impact to provide a softer touch for better feel. What does this mean to a tennis player? Passing shots are even harder and drop shots more precise, rewarding your spontaneity and supporting your courageous decisions.

Innegra Innegra is the world’s lightest high performance fiber. Its extreme toughness together with Head’s advanced carbon composite technology leads to an ultra tough hybrid composite.This Head Innegra hybrid-composite structure is integrated into the racquet for shock absorption and improved stability. As a result vibrations are reduced by up to 17% on ball impact for improved control and precision — protecting the player from the forces of a ball impact. On top of this, Head’s new hybrid-composite structure with the ultra tough Innegra fiber considerably extends the performance of a Head racquet. With Innegra, racquets remain in perfect condition without losing any performa

Specs