You are bidding on a slightly used Head Liquidmetal Radical OS in 4 3/8 grip size.
Contents include:
- Head Liquidmetal Radical Oversize tennis racket
- Luxilon Big Banger Ace 18g strings (on racket)
- brand new Wilson Pro overgrip (on racket)
- BONUS: brand new Head Tacky Blue overgrip
- Head Liquidmetal racket case
This is a wonderful gift idea for any serious tennis players!
Racket
The racket was used for less than one month of play and is in excellent condition. There are no scratches on the frame, and only a little wear on the bumper guard at the top of the frame, which is normal.
Strings
The racket is strung with Luxilon Big Banger Ace 18g (light olive green) strings @ 58 lbs. These are excellent strings that exhibit great durability, excellent touch and spin, good resilience, as well as very little loss of tension. An 18 gauge string will produce extreme amounts of spin on the ball and because it's made of polyester, it is very difficult to break.
Grip
The racket's grip is brand new since I always used an overgrip with this racket. I currently have a brand new Wilson Pro overgrip (the one Federer uses) placed on the racket which has not been played with yet.
BONUS: I will also throw in a second overgrip with this auction. It is a brand new Head Tacky Blue overgrip.
Case
Also included with the racket is it's original case in mint condition.
Pictures
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Featuring Head's latest LiquidMetal technology, the LiquidMetal Radical Oversize and Midplus tennis racquets are designed to stretch the sweet spot towards the 10, 2, 4 and 8 o' clock racquet head positions with the inclusion of the stiff LiquidMetal material. Each LiquidMetal section features a corrugated construction designed to further increase stiffness. More new technology comes to Head's latest Radical in the form of the Hydro Control grip system. Designed to reduce moisture gathering between a player's palm and the racquet handle, the Hydro Control system features improved ventilation over traditional grip systems. As with the previous version of the Radical, the LiquidMetal Radical features Twin Tube construction for enhanced feel, as well as Intellifiber technology. The LiquidMetal Radical racquets are designed with the stronger intermediate to advanced player in mind. Best suited to 4.5 + level players.
Oversize
A solid racquet offering all court playability and slightly more power than the Midplus version of the LiquidMetal Radical. We found plenty of spin potential on both serves and groundstrokes from the Oversize LiquidMetal Radical. Plays with slightly more heft than previous versions of the Radical and we noticed an increase in comfort. If you liked previous versions of the Oversize Radical or are looking for an Oversize with plenty of control, the LiquidMetal Radical is definitely worth a try.
| Oversize Specs | |
|---|---|
| Head Size: | 107 sq. in. / 690 sq. cm. |
| Length: | 27 inches / 69 cm |
| Strung Weight: | 11.2oz / 318g |
| Balance: | 3pts Head Light |
| Swingweight: | 330 |
| Stiffness: | 58 |
| Beam Width: | 21 mm Straight Beam |
| Composition: | LiquidMetal Titanium / Graphite and Piezzo Electric Fibers |
| Power Level: | Low |
| Swing Speed: | Fast |
| Grip Type: | HydroControl |
| String Pattern: | 18 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,10T,9H Two Piece No shared holes |
| String Tension: | 54-64 pounds |
TechnologiesLiquidMetal
Developed by the California Institute of Technology (CalTech), LiquidMetal® alloy provides 29% more power than Titanium. Just as its name implies, LiquidMetal® alloy is different from conventional materials because of its liquid (or "amorphous") atomic structure. This means that LiquidMetal® alloy does not deform on impact, resulting in ultimate energy return.
Head places LiquidMetal® at four strategic areas of the racquet's head, integrated in the main layer of the frame's construction. This allows all of the energy from ball impact to be used for a power return - so what a player puts into his or her swing is exactly what they get out. The result is what Head calls Pure Energy. Perfect Power™
Total Sweetspot Construction
Total Sweetspot Construction increases torsional stability in the racquet head and extends the sweetspot throughout the entire racquet head, resulting in ultimate control.
Intelligence Technology
FEATURE: Intellifiber is a new fiber created from piezoelectric material. Extraordinarily different from conventional materials, this fiber (according to Head) transforms the mechanical energy from ball impact into an electrical response that stiffens the racquet for ultimate power. Intellifibers are integrated on both sides of the throat area. An electrical impulse actively changes the shape of the fibers - in less than a millisecond - at ball impact.
BENEFIT: According to Head, in less than the first millisecond of ball impact, Intellifibers stiffen and reduce bending in the throat area for unmatched power in current racquet design. Unlike mechanical energy, electrical energy does not create vibrations. Therefore, 20% of the vibrations are immediately eliminated upon ball impact for optimum comfort.
TwinTube Technology
FEATURE: The inner hard shell of TwinTube technology is made of pure graphite. The outer shell consists of soft, absorbing polyamide.
BENEFIT: Increased ball acceleration combined with better, overall racquet feel.
Liquidmetal Radical OS
For our playtest we strung the Liquidmetal Radical OS with a 17 gauge multifilament string at 61lbs and added an overgrip. String vibration dampeners were provided and use was left up to the individual preference of the playtester.
Groundstrokes
Offering a larger hitting area and a bit more pop, the Liquidmetal Radical OS is slightly more forgiving in play than the Liquidmetal Radical MidPlus and should appeal to a larger spectrum of player levels. First to comment on groundstrokes was Chris. He said "I found plenty of power on my groundstrokes with the Liquidmetal Radical OS. I enjoyed hitting slice backhands which became effortless when I caught the ball well out in front. However, I felt the Liquidmetal Radical OS had more to offer on the forehand side, where I enjoyed some nice topspin cross court angles. If I had a two handed backhand I might have enjoyed hitting groundstrokes much more, but I just didn't feel like I was reaping the benefits of the Oversize head shape with my one handed drive. I just wasn't getting the same amount of topspin on my backhand as I was generating with the Liquidmetal Radical MP. As with most Oversize racquets, I found I had the cunning ability to launch the occasional groundstroke for no apparent reason. This was no surprise to me, as I usually find myself lacking some control when hitting with an Oversize racquet. To counter, I normally string the racquet right at the maximum recommended tension. With the test racquet strung at only 62lbs, I did not have a chance to see if an increase in tension would result in an increase in control and confidence. Although the stringbed does not have what I would call a true hot spot, it is definitely livelier than the Midplus. I also noticed a more forgiving feel on off-center shots and found the Liquidmetal Radical OS to be extremely comfortable. It is one of the better Oversize racquets I've hit with in some time."
Granville also found the Liquidmetal Radical OS to be very comfortable. He said, "I had great confidence when using this racquet and I was able to really trust my strokes. I found a slight boost in power and comfort compared to hitting with the Liquidmetal Radical MP. Whether hitting forehands or backhands, I was able to put the ball deep in either corner or hit short side to side to really 'work' my opponent."
Mark said, "the Liquidmetal Radical OS comes very close to being a great racquet. Like the Liquidmetal Radical MP, the Liquidmetal Radical OS has an excellent blend of power, control and maneuverability. The power level is a little higher with the OS, but it's still low enough to provide good control from the baseline. The extra power helped me hit wide balls with more authority, and it made my slices more effective. I was able to hit solid forehands and backhands without taking a huge swing, and I was able to place the ball with confidence. The one factor that keeps me from putting the Liquidmetal Radical OS into the "great racquet" category was my inability to generate a lot of spin."
Combined Score 72
Volleys
If the Liquidmetal Radical OS impressed our playtesters from the baseline, it really started to shine at the net. "Once again the new Radical offers good comfort with a soft and lively stringbed," said Granville. "As with any Oversize racquet, if you are off center a bit you will feel that ever so slight wobble, but this can be minimized by dropping the tension a pound or two. The racquet has some added punch due to the slight increase in mass - but it is a noticeable improvement, especially on the high forehand volley where you can really punch it for the put-a-way. On the drop shot, I found a very delicate touch with little to no adjustment from my usual racquet."
Chris said he "really enjoyed volleying with Liquidmetal Radical OS. I found much more control on the volley than I had on groundstrokes. The maneuverability and weight of the Liquidmetal Radical OS seemed perfect for volleying, with a nice blend of stability, comfort, power and control. I was able to just direct the ball to my intended target when my opponent supplied the pace, but I also had good results hitting slower balls when I needed to punch the volley. When hitting low volleys and half-volleys I appreciated the larger sweetspot offered by the Oversize head shape."
Mark said, "The Liquidmetal Radical OS is very effective at the net. It was versatile enough to let me put the ball away or keep it in play, depending on the situation. I find a lot of oversize racquets have too much power at the net. This makes it tough to hit low volleys. With the Liquidmetal Radical OS I was able to keep the low balls in play and put away the high balls. Plus, the maneuverability was excellent and the sweetspot large.
Combined Score 85
Serves and Overheads
Our team soon settled into a good rhythm on the serve with the Liquidmetal Radical OS. Chris said "the extra power that I struggled to control from the baseline worked in my favor on the serve. I found my first serve had a little extra zip when I flattened it out on the down the 'T' serve. Spin serves got plenty of bite from the stringbed and I hit some nice kick and slice serves to open up the court. I also found the Liquidmetal Radical OS to be very solid when hitting overheads. I managed to get enough power and accuracy to put all but the most difficult to reach overheads away, and I found the racquet really responded to a good wrist snap."
As with the Liquidmetal Radical MP, Mark found the OS a good serving racquet with the exception of generating spin. "I served very consistently with the Liquidmetal Radical OS, with an occasional exceptional serve thrown in," said Mark. "The control was excellent and the power adequate. It was also very easy on my arm. The one serve I had problems with was the kick serve. I couldn't generate enough spin to get the high bounce needed to make a kick serve effective. I was able to place the serves well, but my opponent was able to return them too easily because they would just sit up and wait to be hit."
Granville said, "the Liquidmetal Radical OS is a very sweet racquet to play with and serving with the racquet is just anther example of this. I noticed the added 1/2 ounce more in the OS version (from the i.Radical OS) when serving. That little extra mass definitely delivers a bit more pop on the serve as compared to previous Radicals. The racquet even feels more solid at impact while maintaining its flexibility. On overheads this was a racquet where the more I played with it the more confident I became. The overhead is a good example of the playability of the racquet. On a simple offensive overhead I can put the ball away with little thought. In a more defensive position I have the control and soft feel to take a little off the ball and roll a softer cross court placement, giving me a shot at turning defense into offense. At the 11-ounce mark for weight it gives you a few more options than a heavier racquet might."
Combined Score 77
Serve Returns
Remembering that this is the racquet of choice for one of the greatest returners in the game, our playtesters had high expectations for the Liquidmetal Radical OS. Chris was first up, saying, "as on the groundstrokes, I would have liked to have hit returns with a Liquidmetal Radical OS strung up near the maximum recommended tension range. I felt like the ball was flying on me a bit on the return. I think the Liquidmetal Radical OS is more than capable of handling higher tensions without sacrificing comfort or feel as it really is an arm friendly racquet. Even with the test racquet strung lower than my ideal tension I was able to hit some nice chip returns and be consistent with drive returns if I took a little pace off. The racquet also felt quite maneuverable. I felt I could have added some weight to the frame and still been able to get the racquet around on the return."
Granville found he could hit out with confidence on the return, saying "when returning with the Radical I was able to swing out and play offensive tennis right from the get go. While I'm sure Agassi could return serve the way he does with a 2x4, it comes as no surprise that this is his racquet of choice. It must be perfectly suited for his game." Mark said the Liquidmetal Radical OS "was well suited for returning serves. The oversize head provides a large sweetspot and the moderate power level allows for a full swing with good control. It's also very maneuverable and stable. However, I did have some returns sail on me because they didn't have enough spin."
Combined Score 73
Overall
The Liquidmetal Radical OS is a comfortable racquet that excelled at the net and turned in a solid performance everywhere else. Our playtesters found a good blend of power, stability and control on most shots, but there where times when playtesters struggled to generate the spin they were seeking. When serving with the Liquidmetal Radical OS our team found control as well as power. Again, comfort was a noticeable quality of the racquet when serving. In our opinion, this latest version of the ever evolving Radical has a lot to offer and is every bit as worthy of continuing the Radical name as previous versions.
Combined Score 78
Head Liquidmetal Radical Oversize Combined Scores
(Scores are determined by averaging individual play test scores)
Playtester Profiles
Chris: 5.0 all-court player currently using a Yonex MP Tour-1 Midsize.
Chad: 5.0 all-court player currently using a Head i.tour switching to the Liquidmetal Radical MP.
Granville: 5.5 all-court player currently using a Wilson Hyper ProStaff 6.1 95.
Mark: 5.0-5.5 Serve and Volleyer currently using a Prince Thunder 820.
Drew: 4.5 All court player currently using the Wilson Triad ProStaff 6.0.
Heather: 4.5-5.0 All court player currently using the Wilson Original ProStaff 6.0 95 and switching to the Liquidmetal Radical MP.
Review date: August, 2003
Comments: I have very strong groundstrokes and require quite a bit of spin. I found this racquet to be adequate in this regard but an open string pattern would have been better. The power on this racquet is a little confusing. At times it seems to be very control oriented and you have to supply the power yourself and then other times it seems to have so much that a simple forehand becomes a homerun baseball swing. It needs a little more weight to slow down my swing and make topspin easier, and although this may just be my inexperience with the racquet, it needs a little bit more consistency. I don't mean that this is a bad racquet, I'm sure I'll overcome these faults in time. It has helped me switch to and improve my two handed backhand and helped my serve unbelievably. I strongly suggest this racquet to anyone who can generate their own power but still knows how to regulate it and produce plenty of spin.
From: Anon 09/06
Comments: This has to be the best racquet that Head has ever came up with. When I first played with this wonderful racquet, the first thing I heard is what I call excellent. My serves are up and over 100 mph, and feels like I'm hardly even hitting the ball. I strongly suggest to try out the Head Liquidmedal radical, if you have a pretty full swing, and want great spin and speed with amazing control.
From:
Scott, Canton, Ohio, USA 08/06
String type and tension: Head Snthetic gut 16g 60 lbs
Headsize: Oversize
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: This racquet is one of the best I have played with yet. I originally started using the Flexpoint instinct but found that it has too much power for my liking. After that i used the Wilson nSix-One Tour for a time but found the small head size not suiting my playing style. Lastly I found my way to this one. This racquet has all the power and tons of control needed to be a serious competitor on the court. My serves have become much more controlled. Hitting with the radical requires heavy topspin or else the ball will fly out. All in all this is one the best racquet that head has come out with in a while and worth it.
From:
David, U.S. 08/06
String type and tension: Babolat Pro hurricane 58lbs, Babolat Vs touch Natural gut
Headsize: 98 in
Comments: This racquet is good for defense, very stable and absorbing shock well if the opponent pounds on the ball. It also can let you have good placement on the serve and solid volleys at net. But its relatively heavy weight and low overall power is not favoring an attacking baseline game, basically not very good for offense. After you swing the racquet couple of hundred times at faster racquet speed to generate more power, the effect on forearm and shoulder will show up. So only buy this racquet if you can withstand the physical burden in exchange for control and stability.
From:
Ralph 08/06
String type and tension: Gamma DuraBlast
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: Very nice racket out of the box, but an absolute monster when leaded up a bit. I've got 6g at 2/10 total, and 12g in the handle and the stick now is nasty. The trap door in the buttcap makes adjusting weight simple as you don't have to remove the grip. I don't notice a difference in spin between this stick and my other 16x19 Prince. However, I do notice much more control, the confidence to hit out with this racket just makes your strokes that much better. Any golfer can attest, it's easier to hit a 100 yard sand wedge than a 65 yarder.
From:
Donald, Chehalis, WA USA 08/06
String type and tension: Timo 17 mains, OG Sheep crosses 57/54
Headsize: 98 sq.
NTRP Rating: 4.5
Comments: This racquet is a beast if you are able to generate your own power. The racquet possesses an unmatchable amount of control. I started using this racquet about a month ago and my game dramatically increased. My serve has really improved. I feel like the speed and control of the serve has very much increased. The maneuverability with this racquet is great. Volleys are nice, and crisp. Groundstrokes are great, but I agree with a few of the fellow owners of this stick who said that u must generate your own power and topspin because if you don't, then most likely the ball will soar long. I would give this racquet a 10/10.
From:
Mike, Virginia 07/06
String type and tension: Prince Syn Gut @62
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 3.5-4.0
Comments:This is a great racquet. It performs everything that needs to be performed with perfection (or something close to it). Serves have good placement, there is not an overwhelming amount of power, it is just right. Power from a racket is not really an important aspect if you are an accomplished player - if you can just generate power off of the pace of the ball that you are returning it is fine. Topspin is very good and balls go deep. Backhand slices are perfect. The racket is very comfortable and volleys are good, but baselining is the true treat. Flat-topspin shots are the BEST shots that this racket performs. They have so much pace and power, go deep and fast, and then stay low to the ground. While the Liquidmetal technology does not perform what it promises, the racket itself certainly is a treat to play with - Liquidmetal or not. I highly recommend it.
From:
Jay, 07/06
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 3.5
Comments: I just recently switched to this racquet from the Babolat aero pro control and this racquet fits my game much better. I am hitting my volleys much better, and my groundstrokes are landing much deeper in the court. I did give up a little spin switching racquet, but this racquet enables me to get more racquet head speed thanks to the thin frame. Overall great racquet.
From:
Chris, Pensacola, FL, USA 07/06
String type and tension: 17g babolat pro hurricane
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: This is one of the best racquets I've ever used. Every shot you hit lands in no matter how hard you hit it and you can blast balls past your opponents. The tight string pattern gives you added control and the racquet is the perfect weight. You get amazing power but even better control. I love the grip. You can also put some excellent spin on both your topspin shots and slices. It's also extremely maneuverable and is an excellent racquet from any where on the court. I would give this racquet a 10 out of 10.
From:
Justin, Toronto, Ontario, Canada 07/06
String type and tension: Head Intellitour @ 60 pounds
Headsize: 98 sq. inches
NTRP Rating: 4.5
Comments: I used to play with the Radical Midplus but then my friend asked me to try his Oversize Radical and I loved it so I bought it from him. I get more depth in my shots and it's more forgiving than the Mid Plus. Volleys aren't as good as the Midplus though but groundstrokes are better. I'm not very strong so the added power really helped.
From:
Jonathan, Virgina 07/06
String type and tension: Pro Hurricanes 56
Headsize: 107
NTRP Rating: 3.5-4.0
Comments: This is an AWESOME STICK! Not the heaviest stick on the market however has a nice enough heft behind it. I am coming from LM FIRE and have fallen in love with the LM Radical my new weapon of choice, and still use the LM fire for coaching. I disagree with what some people say as topspin is accessed easily with this racket. Great POP on serves and volleys! All round great racket for the price.
From:
Peter, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 07/06
String type and tension: M: Signum Pro PP 17L @ 56lbs X: Babolat X-Cel Premium 17 @5 5lbs
Headsize: Midplus
Comments: This stick has really given my serve a real boost. I'm only 14 and serve around 165-170 km/h with the Liquidmetal while with my old racket I served only around 140. Not only does this help with your serve but you can benefit from every part of the court. Ever since I bought this racket I have found to hit some descent shots which I never knew I could do before. At net it is one of the greatest rackets out there no doubt about it. Every volley has a nice crisp, clean response and a lot of power but also creates some beautiful angles and drop volleys. Overall I would rate this about a 9.9/10 only because it needs a bit more color instead of just orange.
From:
James, Melbourne Victoria Australia 07/06
String type and tension: Big Banger (mains) Supersense (crosses)
Headsize: 98 sq. inches
Comments: This racquet is fantastic! Beautifully crafted and the moment you pick it up, you know you are not holding any ordinary stick. I think it suits quite a wide range of players but I think 3.5 upwards will really reap the benefits of this racquet. The feel is incredible and has enough heft to be easy on the arm and shoulders. I love the head light balance, it really allows you to strike through the ball. All types of spin are easily accessible. A nice somewhat tight tension (say 55 lbs upwards) gives the ability to get fantastic angles both at baseline and net. Has brilliant control, yet maneuverable enough to generate power with a big swing. At the net, it is superb - giving crisp volleys, control or power at will. In fact I liked this racquet SO much, I went and bought another one! Enough said!
From:
Charlie, London, UK 06/06
String type and tension: Head Intellitour 55 lbs
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: This racquet has dramatically improved my game. I can depend on its consistent strokes while benefiting from the control. If you can provide your own power, then this is the racquet for you.
From:
Connor, CT, USA 06/06
String type and tension: Babolat Pro Hurricane (59lbs)
Headsize: Midplus (98 sq. in)
NTRP Rating: 4.5
Comments: I was impressed from the start, all though I am still getting used to it, I can't think of a better racquet for 90 dollars or less. It has control so you have to add your own power. This isn't a great racquet to volley with, it doesn't have the finishing touch for that. It is a little heavier than my old racquet, and I'm slowly adjusting. I love this racquet and recommend it to every player.
From:
Josh, Raleigh, NC, USA 06/06
String type and tension: 59lbs
Headsize: 107sqin
Comments: This is the ULTIMATE control racquet! I can't believe how many balls go in! The key is that you HAVE to hit topspin or else it will fly out or it'll just be dumped into the net. The power isn't bad but the control is the true star. I can hit the ball wherever I want with ease. Remember that you have to hit topspin and you'll realize how amazing this racquet is. I love it!!
From: Jaime, California 06/06
Comments: I hated it - in order to get some good pace on the ball you have to put some serious speed and power on your swings. My serves sprayed and I had great difficulty controlling my volleys. I have since switched to prince oversized graphite (1983 model) - more spin better control & pace. I'm a 3.0 who can play and beat 4.0's when my game is consistent - which I have found with the pog. Reading the tennis warehouse message boards gave me much more of an idea where to start demoing racquets.
From:
Jorge, Cape Cod, MA
String type and tension: spp
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 3.0
Comments: This is a strange racquet. It has absolutely no power on groundstrokes and serves but the ball goes flying out on approach shots. I shanked every ball that came somewhat fast at me, especially on my backhand. Once I started to play topspin, they flew out less though. I was so frustrated playing with this racquet because it made me lose a match! I played my next match with my old racquet and I never shanked the ball. I wouldn't try this racquet out if you have a flat game; it works nicely with spin though.
From:
James, West Virginia 06/06
Headsize: midplus
Comments: I just got this racquet because my coach suggested it. At first I didn't really like it because I wasn't used to the lack of power and was heavier compared to my old racquet. But when I started hitting with it a little more I discovered a whole new world of control! Every ball went exactly where I wanted it to go and they never went out! Now I can move my opponent around and hit without holding back without worrying about the ball going out! The serves/overheads are great and like I said, the groundstrokes are amazing. I can't hit my volleys very cleanly though. I always seem to shank it. Maybe it's because it's a little heavier than I'm used to...and I never was that good at volleys anyway. Plus this racquet was so cheap! It was about $90! I wish it had a bit more spin and power though. But of course my strings do play affect the spin and power and control. I think when my strings start loosening up I will have a little more control, which will be perfect! But overall this is a great racquet! Players looking for control should definitely try this racquet!
From:
Robin, West Virginia, USA, 06/06
String type and tension: Head sythetic gut
Headsize: midplus
Comments: I use the midplus version for many years. Before this I have used the radical twin tube and liquid metal radical. Now I had the titanium radical for many years and I found nothing near as good as that but once I hit with the liquid metal racket I realized just how great it was. It gave the same control and swings with a bit more power and bigger sweet spot. Nowadays I am looking to move on from this racket but I'm finding it tough to find a replacement. The only reason for this is that it's too light for a player of my caliber (not being arrogant) so I've tried leading it up but still tough. Anyone young junior looking to improve their game or a club player looking for a more serious racket try this one and I'm sure you'll love it.
From:
Chris, London, England 06/06
String type and tension:Tennis Tech, polyester on mains and syn gut on cross, 58 lbs
Headsize:midplus
NTRP Rating:14 national, 480 international
Comments: I've played with the i.Radical for two years now and loved it. I get tennis elbow with any other racquet I've tried. It is probably due to the lack of weight with the other racquets but back to the subject. I read some reviews about the LM Radical and it sounded like it was an improved i.Radical, which I believed wasn't possible. I went to my tennis club and demoed the LM Radical and from the very first swing I knew exactly what the reviews were saying. This is a more powerful and I dear say more stable radical. It really does play like a dream. It's a bit heavier than the i.Radical on the scale but it feels lighter in play. It is probably due to a different balance. This racquet plays like a dream. However, like you've probably read already, this racquet isn't for everyone. It is for those who can generate a good amount of head speed with a long and fast stroke. Though the stringing pattern is tight, I don't find it hard to generate spin. This racquet is definitely worth trying if you are looking for a player's racquet with some giddy-up but not as much as a tweener racquet. If you like the i.Radical and it's your main stick, then the LM Radical is a must buy.
From:
Eric, Philadelphia, PA, USA 6/06
String type and tension: Babolat Fineplay @ 66 lbs.
Headsize: OS 107 in.
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: I had been using Prince Original Graphite rackets for a couple of years but tried out a Liquidmetal Radical as it was going cheap. No complaints at all. Wonderful feel and control without sacrificing power. A lighter alternative to a classic racket. I do agree with TW's review of this racket and strongly recommend it for strong intermediate to advanced players. No problems with wrist or tennis-elbow either.
From:
Morgan, Scotland 05/06
String type and tension: Head synthetic gut 57lb
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: n/a
Comments: This is to go with my previous comment about this racquet. I use the Luxilon Big Banger Alu Touch string with supersense as mains and this racket has to be one of the best sticks out there. Serve is a shoo-in to get in, forehands are dynamic and the backhand generates so much spin and pace that it shoots up and hits your opponent in their face. I will be using this one for a while!
From:
John, NSA, Australia 05/06
String type and tension: Luxilon Big Banger Alu Touch (crosses) Luxilon Supersense (mains) 51 pounds
Comments: Great racquet for those of you who like soft, spin free shots. The racquet does not really fit my game because of the tight string pattern, plus I had it strung way too tight to access spin. One of those was my fault. Bottom line is, if you have a flat shot game that is control oriented, you might want to check this out. Plus the quality is superb, it is made in Austria.
From:
Garrick Cedar Rapids, IA USA 5/11
String type and tension: Gamma 16 gauge pro
Headsize:98 sq. in.
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: Appreciate your reviews and prices. My style and level is similar to Granville so was able to find a lighter replacement for the old Wilson classic. This racket is dope.
From:
Surfdog, OTown, FL, USA 5/11
String type and tension:Wilson reactor 16
Headsize:Mid
NTRP Rating: 5
Comments: I started playing with the Intelligence i.Radical in 1999 and needed a little more power. I jumped on the Flexpoint bandwagon but those just seemed too different than the i.Radical. I switched to the Liquid Metal Radical and PRESTO... exactly what I wanted. A little heavier, more powerful version of the Intelligence. Great topspin groundies, good pop on the serve (added some lead tape at 3 and 9) and sturdy at the net. A little more push off the strings. The Flexpoint gave me the best slice.
From:
Albert, Atlanta, GA, USA 05/06
String type and tension: Big Banger Original Rough & Alu Power Rough
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: It's a great racket, easy topspin, nice base line rallies, and half volleys are a charm. The only issue I have with this wonderful racket is its apparent lack of power, I need a bit more oomph. It was also a bit unstable with returning volleys, mainly hard hit ones.
From:
Lewis, Wilmslow, Manchester, UK 05/06
String type and tension: head synthetic gut 59lbs
Headsize: 102"
Comments: This racquet is amazing. It has great ball control, feel, and comfort. Simply put, this racquet is the best of the Liquidmetals and is worth the buy.
From:
Jeff, GA 04/06
String type and tension: HEAD FiberGel Power 16
Headsize: midplus
Comments: WOW!!! That is all that needs to be said. It truly is an amazing racquet. Great for intermediate players. My shots have improved and I could tell from the first ball I hit. If someone is looking for a racquet that has control, comfort and still maneuverable look no further. For me it was money well spent.
From: Anon 04/06
Comments: The racquet itself is pretty nice, it did raise my game as I play on my high school varsity tennis team, but if you're looking for power than you either need to generate it yourself or have low string tension. I use the Intellistring 17 at 60lbs but I wish I went 58 or so.
From:
Cody, New Mexico 04/06
String type and tension: Intellistring 17, 60 lbs
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 3.0-3.5
Comments: I've used the i.Radical for two years and recently upgraded to the liquidmetal. Compared to the i.Radical, it's much more powerful and can generate more topspin in groundstrokes. It's a little bit heavier and needs more muscle to perform the same quick volley. Good control with slice too. Recommended.
From:
Daniel, USA 04/06
String type and tension: Head Synthetic Gut 17 PPS @ 60 LBS
Headsize: 98
NTRP Rating: 4.0
Comments: A very nice solid racquet. Has improved my game immensely, especially my long forehands and my serves. An awesome racquet for someone with long, fast swings, seeking a heavy racquet with stable groundstroke ability. Head has awesome racquets, and this is one of the best!
From:
Ed, E. Patchogue, New York USA 04/06
String type and tension: Klip Screamer Gut/Synthetic Hybrid 16 string @ 60lbs
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 3.5-4.0
Comments: I've been hitting with this stick for two years now. Idiotically, I tried to get rid of it due to its bright orange color (what a stupid reason, I know). So I've tried over 30 demos in the past year and continue to come back to this racquet. It is by far the best racquet when it comes to blending power and control. Also, because of its in-between weight, it is a compromise for all types of players. I would recommend it to anyone, unless you are like me and hate flashy colors.
From:
Stephen, St. Louis, MO 04/06
String type and tension: Babolat Hurricane mains/sensation crosses
Headsize: MP
NTRP Rating: 5.0-5.5
Comments: This racquet is SWEET. It has excellent control and a lot more power than the titanium series. According to the reviews, it even has more control than several of the Flexpoints, and more than the prince o3 series do. This blend of control and power makes it perfect for an all court player.
From:
Ken, Connecticut, US 04/06
String type and tension: Head Synthetic Gut
Headsize: Mid Plus
Comments: I first tried out this racquet at my friends house (it was his). I enjoyed it because it had a good feel to it and you could hit great angles with this racquet. I would recommend this racquet to any serious player looking for control and can generate his/her own pace.
From:
Varun, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. 3/06
String type and tension: Head Tour 17 @ 65lbs.
Headsize: Midplus
Comments: After less than an hour with this racquet, I love it. The first serve I tried with it was awesome and it was a nice line shot. I can tell the weight difference between the head Ti.S1 though. It is a lot heavier. Great racquet though.
From:
Nick, Walcott, Iowa, USA 04/06
Headsize: os 108
