The Head Xenon 135 Slimbody was originally introduced in 2015, and has been adopted by many top squash professionals. I believe the FULL name of this racket is actually the “Head Graphene XT Xenon 135 Slimbody” but yowzer that’s hard to remember and even harder to say.
Note: This is different from the Head Graphene XT Xenon 135, which is the non-Slimbody racket from Head.
Head Xenon SB 135
This is the 2016 model. It’s still called the “Head Graphene XT Xenon 135 Slimbody” on Head’s website, but the racket itself is painted with the name Head Xenon SB 135 (the SB being short for Slimbody), so I’m calling it that for now.
Image via head.com
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Product Notes
This model was released around July 2016. It has been updated to include Head’s AFP stringing pattern option.
Update: looks like this will be replaced in 2018 with the Head Radical SB 135.
The previous model (see below) was very popular amongst pro players. We’ll have to see if this one proves to be equally popular.
Thanks to Will for the tip!
Spotted
Omar Mosaad was playing with this at the 2016 World Championships:
Photo via SquashSite →
So was Nafiizwan Adnan:
Photo via SquashSite →
And Peter Creed too:
Photo via SquashSite →
Zahed Mohamed was also rocking this at the World Champs:
Photo via SquashSite →
“The Original” Head Graphene XT Xenon 135 Slimbody
Image via head.com
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Advertised Specs
Weight: Medium (135 grams)
Balance: Even
Head Size: Small (475 sq cm)
String Pattern: 14 x 17
Product Notes
This guy was originally added to the Head squash rackets lineup in 2015/2016.
The Slimbody is a new frame shape from Head that is quite thin. See my video review below for more.
There’s another slimbody racket that’s lighter, the Head Xenon 120 Slimbody.
Reviews
Here’s Paul from PDH Sports, reviewing this racket and the Head Graphene XT Xenon 120 Slimbody. He says says these rackets have great control and feel, but not as much in the way of power, so they’re better for advanced players. The 135 (this racket) gives you a little bit more power due to extra weight.
Here’s my review on this racket. It has tons of control but I had trouble getting enough power on a colder court. It worked better on a warmer court and against a hard hitter. One thing I didn’t mention in this video is I might try to juice the power on this a bit by trying a different stringing setup.
Spotted
Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro were playing with the Head Xenon 135 Slimbody at the 2015 British Nationals. Thanks to Lucas for the tips!
Here’s Jenny:
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
And here’s Laura:
Photo by Steve Line ∞
Also, Omar Mosaad was using this at El Gouna in 2015. Thanks to Lucas again for the tip.
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
This is Omar again, hitting Squash TV’s “shot of the month”:
Here’s Nafiizwan Adnan at the 2015 British Open:
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
Zahed Mohamed was also using this at the British Open:
Photo by Steve Cubbins ∞
And we’ve also got Peter Creed at the 2015 World Championships:
Photo via Steve Cubbins →
N says
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I ordered each a Slimbody 135 and a Slimbody 120 of the original versions and with factory strings/grips fresh from my order they both weighed 152 grams. My 120 actually has a little more weight to the head than the 135.
These racquets have been fantastic to me so far, next step is figuring out a good stringing setup. Is anyone aware what the factory stringing tension on these is? I believe they used the Head Evolution 1.1mm string as stock.
JB says
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Anyone string one to the optional pattern SFP? I asked Head for a 1,2,3,4…but all they had was for tennis no help. Anyone have a thought? I tried it did it but nothing like the picture….
zak says
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Hi
I live in South Africa and winter conditions do not favour a slow racket at all here in the Cape,I find good power and control in summer but in winter I have problems with power using a light racket of 120g, tried to restring to lower tension 26psi but it made very little difference .Against slow balls and cold court the racket is dead.I am now trying out heavier rackets 120grams victor and maybe I should try a 135 head xenon but favour a tear drop shape.My game seems to be much better against a fast player and warmer court but struggling with cold courts.Do u have any advice ?perhaps
Topias says
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Hi Zak! I recommend the Prince head heavy models. Pro SP Black 850 or older models of the Rebel (not the pro 950! They messed that one up) or the original O3 Black (all are similar rackets at 135g, bp 37,5cm). Very powerful but still controllable rackets with great touch. That’s what I play with in cold Finland and I have the opposite problem to yours! I play well in the morning after the cold night when the facility is empty. i have quite enough power and good control. Sometimes I struggle in warmer facilities in competitions when the place is crowded and body heat makes it even warmer. The head heavy racket makes drives too long and drops too heavy. I have a Prince Airstick 550 for those situations.
nicksee says
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i bought the xenon graphene xt 135 slim body over the weekend and have played with it thrice.
i used to play with the neon graphene 130.
compared to the neon, the xenon xt feels less clunky and more maneuverable. due to its slim body, the xenon allowed me to dig the ball out of back corners more easily compared to the neon.
however, xenon xt is not a very forgiving racquet and i would not advocate it for amateur players. as an amateur, i found it more difficult finding the sweet spot compared to the neon graphene.
bottom line… the xenon xt is a really nice racquet aesthetically and it is definitely unique and feels very balanced to the touch. however, this is not a very forgiving racquet and is suited for the more accomplished players.
Lucas Nicolau says
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I’ve just saw a picture of Omar Moosad using this racket at the El Gouna International.
Pierre Bastien says
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Thanks Lucas, I added a picture!
JB says
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Pierre can you give us an update? And the difference between the 120 and 135? I have the 120 and like it but see the pros using the 135. Just curious why? Should I try the 135 or stay with the 120…….
Enjoy the game!
Lucas Nicolau says
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I think Laura Massaro was using this Racket at the National Squash Championship in Manchester.
Pierre Bastien says
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Maybe it was Jenny Duncalf? Thanks for the tip! Added a photo to the post above.
Lucas Nicolau says
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Hello Pierre,
Searching on the Internet I think she tried this beauty too. Check this link.
http://squashmad.com/breaking-news/laura-massaro-survives-manchester-scare/
It seems to be an awesome racket.
Pierre Bastien says
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Nice one – I’ve added that to the post.