This shows up most when returning serves. For a 300g frame it holds its ground and absorbs pace well. It has enough backbone to block or chip heavy serves back with depth off a relatively short swing. And when soft second serves sit up, you can open up the shoulders for a much more forceful reply.
Even though the MP earns its boldest stripes at the baseline, it doesn’t disappoint at net. It’s extremely maneuverable (wink), and the response is perfect—enough power and feel—to work the ball offensively. Off-center hits don’t result in nasty vibration or wobble, so it really makes it attractive to be at net. As with the serves, it’s fast overhead, so smashes are point-and-shoot.
What Needs Work
Grip, rip it, put the ball on a…welcome mat? Perhaps a bit unfair since it’s not intended to be a precision instrument, but the MP works better when directing its pace and spin at larger targets. It’s just not as dependable hitting into tight windows or flattening out the ball. Same goes for trying to take pace off an incoming shot.
This plays into the feel of the frame, which could be somewhat muted to some. This is more of a case of player preference rather than the frame’s deficiency. It’s comfortable and arm-friendly, but doesn’t offer the crisper feedback often found in this type of racquet.
Similarly, depending on ability level, the frame could be a little underpowered for groundstrokes and serves, due to the lightness of the hoop. More advanced players could stand to have a little more mass towards the tip of the hoop to enhance plow-through and give slices a sharper bite. Or more power from the strings—a hybrid or soft, thinner poly—might provide the expected experience. In stock form, it should be suitable for players between the 3.0-4.0 level; with a little customizing, it could make sense for 4.0+.
