Head
Airflow 3 CB Tennis Racquet
Our
Review
The Head Airflow 3 Crossbow offers a lighter-than-average performance frame to players with long and fast strokes. This racquet retains all the performance characteristics of the more powerful Airflow frames with the tuning to allow for full aggressive stroking.
Improving juniors that still prefer a lighter frame and adult doubles lovers with above average Intermediate skills (and beyond) are going to find a lot to like in this racquet.
The easy swinging Airflow 3 Crossbow lets players hit out with minimal effort while providing a comfortable shot response and very respectable precision. Like all the Airflow frames, it is sweetest of all on serves and overheads where it is easy to bring the racquet to the ball with plenty of head speed. Close to the net, the 3's relatively small head size and low swing weight yield a quickness that few other frames can match. Off the ground, the 3 accommodates a full swing for players who relish tearing into the ball.
Competitive juniors may eventually want more stability as they get bigger and stronger, but it will come at the expense of the 3's laser quick maneuverability. As it is, this is one sweet combination of performance qualities that could quickly spoil a lot of hitters who using heavier racquets now.
Head's marketing strategy is targeting female players, but our male play testers liked the Head Airflow 3 Crossbow just as much.
Tennis
Magazine Review
Sales Pitch: For women with longer, faster swings looking for controllable power in a lightweight frame.
Compare To: Head Airflow 3
How It Tested: With input from Steffi Graf, Head introduced Airflow two years ago. The line of racquets, designed specifi cally for women, had three basic elements: lightweight power, easy handling, and an ergonomic grip tailored to fit a woman’s hand. Those features, and Graf’s participation, continue in the updates. They also feature CrossBow, a suspended bridge at the bottom of the head that moves independently from the rest of the frame. When the ball hits the strings, energy is stored in the bridge and then transferred into the shot (picture a diving board) for added power. The Airfl ow 3 is heftier than its predecessor (and more head heavy), which gives the racquet improved pop and stability. Playtesters enjoyed the racquet’s manageable power on the baseline and responsiveness at net. Even though it’s meant for women, some of the highest compliments came from men. One male 5.0 all-courter summed it up: “It feels like a player’s racquet with the comfort of a recreational racquet.”
Bottom Line: Accomplished junior girls and all-court competitive women who liked the first Airflow 3 will enjoy this latest version.
Offering extra control for longer
swing styles. the Airflow 3 is perfectly
balanced for excellent maneuverability.
Airflow
Technology
The next generation of Airflow
racquets has arrived. Steffi Graf
together with TEAM AIRFLOW and hundreds of
women from around the world have
re-designed the face of inspiration.
Still keeping in mind the three basic
elements of Airflow, these racquets add a
new level of comfort and power.
CrossBow brings energy from two levels and
the Head InterGrip controls vibration for
ultimate comfort. Lightweight
Power- Light but powerful, Airflow
racquets have a great pick-up feel while
still packing a solid punch.
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- MAP:
$159.95
- Length:
27"
- Head
Size: 102"
- Weight:
9.2 oz Unstrung
- Balance:
Even
- Cross
Section: 26/28/29mm
- Type
of Swing: Moderate-Full strokes
- String
Tension:
- Flex:
Stiff
- CrossBow
Technology
- Metallic
Technology
- Airflow
Technology
- 16
Mains, 19 Crosses
- ErgoFeel
Grip
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Perfect
Balance- have a low balance point
to provide great maneuverability and
handling. Ergonomic
Grip- HEAD's unique grip is designed
to best fit the anatomical structure of a
women's hand for superior handling and
enhanced ball control. 
CB
Technology
Head introduces the world's first dynamic
bridge racquet construction. The
bridge is suspended from the frame and
moves independently which allows the
racquet to store energy in both the
stringbed and the bridge. The CB concept acts like a spring or a
bow that is loaded during ball
impact. This new found energy is
unleashed in every shot providing
incredible power. CB enlarges
the sweetspot because it has 10 main
strings going through the dynamic
bridge. It has a bigger sweetspot
than a conventional fixed bridge
racquet. Playing consistent powerful
tennis has never been easier. HEAD
Stabilizer
The New re-design HEAD Stabilizer is
incorporated into the racquet shaft area
for a more sleek, aerodynamic
design. During ball impact, the
stabilizer continuously swings in an
opposite direction to the flex of the
frame which counteracts the frame's
oscillation and is extremely effective in
stabilizing the racquet for a very
solid feel.
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Head Tennis Airflow 3 Tennis
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