When I looked for a replacement for my trusty yellow Aggassi Radical OS my wishlist was: Heavy but nimble; soft but strong; HL; Big head but thin beam; Big sweetspot but close ground clearance; Big spin but pace. In other words, a new and improved yellow Radical OS. The quest has been futile til Prince managed it with EX03 Tour 100 16x18.
Took me almost 4 months to dial it in and I almost gave up. The incredible shots I could generate when I DID hit it right kept me from giving up. The wait has been worth it.
Bottom line: This is the all-aroundbest racquet I have ever played with in 45 yrs.
I have always played a live-or-die by shotmaking type of game inspired by by first idol The Rocket. The fate of anachronisms of us have been akin to the 98 lb weakling having sand kicked in his face by bullies typified by Lendl clones. But the Mister Atlas of tennis has arrived in the form of Prince's EX03 Tour 100 16x18. This stick has simply so enhanced every aspect of the all-court game its like an overall 100% upgrade. The days of finesse players being bullied are over
For a small and/or aging player (I'm both, sigh..) there is only one antidote to the contemporary baseline power game - variety. Utterly amazing to me still after 8 months, what this stick can do. I am having just so much dang fun playing ALL the variety again.
Groundies.
Crazy spin. Thin beam allows Rosewallian knifing - low, penetrating and very tough for baseliners esp westies. From both sides perspective, there is a never before encountered sort of anti-gravity effect - flat trajectories that travel longer than they should somehow. Even I am still surprised by for sure tapers that wierdly skim over catching guys flatfooted time and again. As a result, my deep-short attacks are more deceptive.
Good sidespin approaches can break 3+ feet. Good players anticipate breaks but a big sharp side skidder means less chance of a sure flatfooted plant - a slight edge for the advancing man.
Effortless toppers over the head off Eastern FH and 1BH. Craazy. Can't really hit through the court consistently but with this stick...yet. But my flat drives are coming along nicely...
Comfort.
Can soak up pace no prob and give it back. Perspective from both sides report pace is way heavier than it (oddly) feels on contact. Might be the unbelievable pocketing likely enhanced with my 46m/40x Gosen Polylon 17 setup. Spin is also big factor I think.
Touch.
Excellent, esp drop volleys. Unlike some, I always like the muted feel. No damping = more power, less spin. Full 8 string damping = way more spin, much less power. My current damping is 2 center string rubber band a la Aggassi for a nice balance while eliminating the irritating broken banjo tkerploink. Depth variation attacks are more effective through increased deception
Quickness.
Head so light its easy to hold shots a long time. Nice in point blank shootouts. Head speed is fastest I have ever felt. Since holes are 30-40% of the bow, perhaps there is something to the claimed aerodynamics factor after all. 9 pt HL (mine) is definitely a factor IMO. I find the whistling noise, annoying to some, helps tell me I'm accelerating as I should.
Service.
Quickness allows a lower toss, which is more natural rhythm for me. Effortless, heavy, snappy kickers - double benders quite often (Righty receiver's POV - bends L to R in flight, kicks back to L). Not so much flat heat but that's just me. When I'm feeling it though, stick's got enough even for a shrimp like me to hit through the court.
Returns.
Amaazing. I am able to stand in tight even on firsts because I can soak up pace and or add interest just by choking up a tad and squeezing it off hard. Handy in dubs for those fun rightbackatcha rockets.
Conclusion.
Its a basic old school racquet like I prefer, but superdupercharged in every aspect. A major breakthrough in design that is only fully appreciated (thank god, heheheh) by all courters If Tilden, who named, and described the all-court game as "consistent inconsistency" was around, I think he'd be approve this stick.
ALOHA.
4.5 Super Senior
EX03 16x18
4 3/8 no grip, 2 overwraps.
46x40m Gosen Polylon 17 Nat.
Eastern FH
Eastern 1BH - 2BH rtn dubs.