HEAD Boom 2024 [REVIEW]

Groundstrokes

Boom Pro

The Special Head Shape

The Boom Pro is a special racket from the baseline. On paper, it has the specs of a regular control racket with 310 grams, a 16×19 string pattern, a 630cm2 head size, and a constant 22mm thick frame. Pretty ordinary, right? But at first glance at the Boom, you immediately notice that the head shape is not “ordinary”. The teardrop-shaped head transforms the Boom from a control racket, which it should be with these specs, into a rather unique racket.

Launch Angle

The launch angle of my forehand and backhand was the first thing I noticed and is significantly higher compared to similar rackets such as the Pure Aero 98. Due to the “Teardrop,” the sweet spot on the Boom is somewhat higher, and the strings are noticeably further apart. This creates the mentioned launch angle, a lot of power but also some “spread” in my shots. Since I last played with a “real” control racket (Pure Strike 98 18×20), I had to get used to it. After a few hours with the Boom Pro 2024, I got this spread under control because it’s not actually spread but simply a different launch angle.

Control

When I increased the pace with my forehand, the Boom Pro performed best. With slower balls, I lost some control, which also sets the Boom Pro apart from classic control rackets. With a Pure Strike or Blade, you can sometimes give the ball a new direction very slowly, just with touch, while this isn’t quite as easy with the Boom Pro.

Stability

This peculiarity arises from the special head shape, which gives the Boom more mass at the top of the racket head. As a result, the Boom Pro feels like a racket longer than 27 inches. This characteristic makes the Boom Pro very stable on impact and, I repeat myself, gives it a lot of control in fast shots. Because how do you generate stability in a tennis racket? Exactly, by having as much mass as possible high up. The Boom Pro plays much more stable than it actually is on paper with its swing weight of 320g, all thanks to the teardrop-shaped head and not through a technology in the frame that artificially stabilizes. No wonder Yonex “randomly” had the same idea of a new racket head shape with the VCore. 🤐

Power

The Boom Pro produces incredibly fast balls due to its head-heavy racket head and surprised me quite a bit. HEAD didn’t seem to get the memo that power rackets should be blue and with the Boom Pro, they’ve released the third-fastest 98-sized tennis racket (Pure Drive #1, VCore #2). Thanks to the incredible stability, you can launch absolute rockets from the baseline with the Boom Pro. I was able to hit winners from all situations, even from far behind the baseline with forehand and backhand.

Spin

With the open string pattern, good topspin shots are no problem at all. I couldn’t produce insane topspin moon balls like with an Extreme or Pure Aero due to the racket’s mass, which sits very high up, not necessarily allowing for quick swings. Thus, it’s not suitable for such topspin moon balls but rather for fast shots with a lot of spin (Federer forehand).

Boom MP

For the Boom MP, everything I said above about the Pro applies, with the small but significant difference that it brings even more power but less control.

Volleys

Volleys with the Boom have been very easy to play. The racket is so stable that it feels like you’re really volleying through the ball. The contact point or sweet spot takes some getting used to, but that worked very well for me after a few volleys.

Serves

My serves have rarely been as fast as with the Boom Pro. The power coming from the racket is huge and just enjoyable. The feeling on the serve is indeed somewhat different and reminds me of some Yonex rackets, as I had to hit the ball even higher to catch the elevated sweet spot.

Returns

Just like with volleys and serves, the Boom shines brightly in returns due to its stability. I was able to return deep into the court even on shots that were definitely not well-struck and when I wasn’t able to get behind the ball properly. With the Boom Pro, returning felt like playing on “Easy” mode for me.

What’s Good About the Boom 2024

Racket Head Shape

The head shape, period! Of course, the “Teardrop” shape also has its disadvantages, but stability is such an important factor that is extremely improved by this head shape. More stability and a launch angle that is unmatched are already two very strong arguments for the Boom, but there’s more.

Power

The upward shift in mass in the racket head makes the Boom one of the most powerful rackets with a 630-square-centimeter head that you can currently buy (excluding Pure Drive / VCore… nothing has as much power as a Pure Drive or a VCore).

Stability

Many control and all-around rackets that are very similar to the Boom on paper lose some effectiveness when the pace is very high and therefore need some lead to increase the swing weight. Not so with the Boom Pro, which comes with enough stability in its stock form (i.e., as you buy it in the store).

The new Auxetic 2.0 feels very good in the new Boom and doesn’t dampen the Boom (fortunately) as much as other technologies (Stable Feel) do in some models. The difference is noticeable but not insanely huge.

What’s Bad About the Boom 2024

Slow Spin

As mentioned earlier, the special head shape of the Boom has not only advantages but also disadvantages. With the Boom, it is significantly more difficult to play balls with slow pace precisely. Also, topspin shots with a high arc and little pace are not particularly easy.

Unusual

It’s actually not fair of me to mention the innovative racket head and the associated differences from ordinary rackets as a negative point, but anyone who tests the Boom must be prepared for the fact that its launch angle feels very unusual and initially maybe even very inaccurate. This feeling disappears very quickly, but it will prompt many players to send the Boom back to Tennis-Point via DHL after just 10 shots.

Who is the Boom 2024 Suitable For?

The Boom is for players who want to play very fast from the baseline. HEAD has crafted the Boom tennis racket, which brings a lot of power and stability, making it the perfect mix to fire winners from all positions. The Boom is for offensive players who want to fire from the baseline and want to live up to the name of the racket.

The Boom Pro is for better tournament players, while the Boom MP is more intended for good intermediates and possibly even very good beginners (with potential). Both tennis rackets are equally designed for the offensive tennis player, just at different levels.

Who is the Boom 2024 Not Suitable For?

Players who prefer to play defensively, wait, and counterattack could not be more wrong with the Boom. The Boom, both Pro and MP, only performs well at higher speeds and is also not particularly effective with the high topspin moon balls necessary in defense. Defensive and passive player types will not be able to utilize the strengths of the Boom and will only get an averagely good tennis racket for defensive play.

Boom 2024 vs. Boom 2022. Should I Upgrade?

Yes!

The new Boom is better in every category and manages to be one of the best power and control rackets in its 2024 version… just in its own way. If you have no fear of fast balls and want to end the rally yourself (whether with a winner or an error), the Boom is definitely worth a 100% upgrade from the 2022 model to the new Boom. The MP has improved significantly, but especially the Pro has been extremely well done by HEAD.