Head Sprint Pro 4.0 SF Clay Tennis Shoes Black / Blue

Head Sprint Pro 4.0 SF Clay, speed and abrasion resistance on the red dirt

The clay court version of the Head Sprint Pro 4.0 SF targets attacking players who want to cover the court quickly without giving up durability. Its SuperFabric® upper takes the abrasion of clay where a standard mesh wears through in a few weeks. Black and blue colourway.

Who is this shoe for?

It suits club and competition players with a forward game, who pile up direction changes and slides. The heel to toe offset is deliberately minimal and the cushioning stays responsive: the priority here is ground feel and speed rather than plushness. The fit comes in a standard width. Note that the herringbone outsole is designed for clay only, this is not an all court model.

The technologies explained

• SuperFabric®: an ultra light and flexible upper material with far better abrasion resistance than a standard mesh.
• TRI-NRG: the midsole works in three zones, neutralising impact at the heel, staying rigid through the midfoot for torsional support, then generating energy at the forefoot for acceleration.
• Three EVA densities and a ventilated 3D anti torsion shank: cushioning tuned zone by zone and a foot that does not twist under load.
• Delta Strap: triangular straps built into the lacing, on the outside as well as the inside of the upper, locking the foot down through direction changes.
• Drift Defense and HyBrasion+™: abrasion reinforcement on the toe and medial forefoot, plus a specific rubber compound for grip and long term durability.
• Cooling System, a TPU Heel Stabilizer and an OrthoLite® insole: 360 degree ventilation, a locked in heel and breathable, machine washable cushioning.

The Extreme Tennis team's view

This is the lightest Head in the range and you feel it from the first steps: around 343 g in a 42.5 and an 8.5 mm drop that keeps the foot close to the ground. The trade off is minimal cushioning, so it is not the model to recommend to a heavier player or anyone prone to foot pain. On clay, though, the SuperFabric and Drift Defense combination answers the real weakness of lightweight shoes, upper wear during slides, and that is what justifies the price gap with a standard Sprint Pro.