Xavier Malisse's Prince experimental racket (Pics)

[RacquetCraft]

Originally Posted by dincuss

I was just wondering what headsize the racquets were, If he plays with 93 or 100.

Its a midplus.

RacquetCraft

[Mazilla2219]

Originally Posted by dincuss

im sorry, but whats the headsize?

Looking at the picture, The head size would be 100, with the overall racquet being 28"

[gsquicksilver]

Originally Posted by Equijet

Specifications : Grip 3, unstrung weight 315g, unstrung balance point 31.5, Length 71cm / 28 inches. Enjoy!

dude, that's a sweet paint job. simple and clean.

[Fedace]

Originally Posted by crism54

a simple tour diablo extended. I play now whith it

Then why is this racket 28 inches long ???

[RacquetCraft]

Originally Posted by Fedace

Then why is this racket 28 inches long ???

Not sure what you are getting at, but the racquet was custom cut from a hairpin ("raw racquet") having engeneering code TC55P-100 M3-2A in the throat (which are received directly from Prince) to Mallisse's required length (28" in his case). 28" is longer than the standard racquet length (27") so it is an extended racquet. A custom player molded grip is added along with the silicone and/or lead to bring it to spec and then the grommets, etc are added...and viola! you have Mallisse's personal racquet!

RacquetCraft

[pjonesy]

I know this is an old thread, but I recently watched Malisse play against Baghdatis in the semis of Washington. I noticed that he was playing with what looked like the Prince Tour Diablo (I own the mid and midplus). Anyway, I ran across this thread and realized that he WAS playing with a custom Tour Diablo. Excellent information in the thread by the way.

Prince is obviously committed to the EXO3 racquets, but I think they missed an opportunity with the Triple Threat Racquets. Those are some real sleepers! I see so many club players that continue to play with those discontinued racquets and I see them being sold on **** for relatively high prices.

I understand the business aspect of creating new racquets with new technology, but what about pleasing your customers? It seems like Head, Wilson and Babolat are contracting more pro players than Prince these days. So maybe they are more focused on re-establishing themselves in the pro ranks. I do realize that Prince is still selling the Graphite Classic, OS and Longbody, but will they re-release any of the other top selling classic racquets that have been discontinued (cts series etc.)?

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

I know this is an old thread, but I recently watched Malisse play against Baghdatis in the semis of Washington. I noticed that he was playing with what looked like the Prince Tour Diablo (I own the mid and midplus). Anyway, I ran across this thread and realized that he WAS playing with a custom Tour Diablo. Excellent information in the thread by the way.

Prince is obviously committed to the EXO3 racquets, but I think they missed an opportunity with the Triple Threat Racquets. Those are some real sleepers! I see so many club players that continue to play with those discontinued racquets and I see them being sold on **** for relatively high prices.

I understand the business aspect of creating new racquets with new technology, but what about pleasing your customers? It seems like Head, Wilson and Babolat are contracting more pro players than Prince these days. So maybe they are more focused on re-establishing themselves in the pro ranks. I do realize that Prince is still selling the Graphite Classic, OS and Longbody, but will they re-release any of the other top selling classic racquets that have been discontinued (cts series etc.)?

The real frame/mold under the paint Malisse's racket is the Prince Precision Retro, it is custom drilled and has a custom handle. This is what he always played most of his career, he did try a Prince Exo Graphite 100 awhile ago but shortly went back to his old Retro...

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by ericsson

The real frame/mold under the paint Malisse's racket is the Prince Precision Retro, it is custom drilled and has a custom handle. This is what he always played most of his career, he did try a Prince Exo Graphite 100 awhile ago but shortly went back to his old Retro...

When was this racquet available?

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

When was this racquet available?

It was a European version, around 2000. Before the retro he used a Prince Michael Chang LB.

PS: he also used a Volkl Quantum 10 tour in his career but not for very long.

[drakulie]

This weekend, I was holding a few of Malisse's frames. Never gave it much thought to really look at the frame, and didn't even notice they were extended. They were being customized, so I was at the shop stringing where the guy who customizes works on them. If I go back, I'll ask him, and perhpas take a few photos (if they are still there).

[Topaz]

^^^Drak, what is Malisse down there for...just training? He played some great tennis up here last week, would be nice to see him playing more again.

I was told he was using Prince Diablo at LM.

[drakulie]

^^^Not sure if he was even in Ft. Lauderdale. Many players ship their frames to Brotman to have work done on them.

You will also be interested in knowing that your boyfriend, Andy Lake was also there, and he was having his frames customized.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by drakulie

You will also be interested in knowing that your boyfriend, Andy Lake was also there, and he was having his frames customized.

Ohhhh, I miss him so! Did you squeeze his butt for me?

Um, eh...yeah, so, yes, Prince Diablo!

Let me check and see if I have any good pics of his racquet from this week.

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by ericsson

It was a European version, around 2000. Before the retro he used a Prince Michael Chang LB.

PS: he also used a Volkl Quantum 10 tour in his career but not for very long.

I appreciate the info, very interesting. What kind of relationship does Malisse have with Prince? If he is using a racquet that is technically "discontinued" (or an old frame that is "customized"), will they promote him in the same way they would a player who is contracted to use an EXO3 racquet?

I vaguely understood the fact that Sampras played with an old "discontinued" Pro Staff 6.0 85, but are players still doing that?

[LPShanet]

Originally Posted by Automatix

Don't you find it odd that so many players use extended frames yet most players frames sold to us are standard length?

Totally agree. I've been frustrated by the same thing for years. And it's only getting worse. The problem has been a marketing/manufacturing one rather than a problem with the frames themselves.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

I appreciate the info, very interesting. What kind of relationship does Malisse have with Prince? If he is using a racquet that is technically "discontinued" (or an old frame that is "customized"), will they promote him in the same way they would a player who is contracted to use an EXO3 racquet?

I vaguely understood the fact that Sampras played with an old "discontinued" Pro Staff 6.0 85, but are players still doing that?

Malisse has a pretty good relationship with Prince since he uses a totally custom racket, like i said underneath is a Prince Precision Retro but it is custom drilled with a custom handle and some lead. I know for a fact that Prince wanted him to play the newer stuff and he did but apparently he didnt like it so much and went back to his old stick, nowadays it is hard to paintjob the newer series with the holes so i guess that's why he is still using that Diablo pj.

[CitationJet]

I did have a close-up photo of XM's racquet from the Legg Mason SF last Saturday up in your Legg Mason Picture Thread, but I see now that it has disappeared for some reason. I'll post a large size photo of the racquet later on this evening for everyone here.

Great thread by the way and some very interesting information provided!

Originally Posted by Topaz

Um, eh...yeah, so, yes, Prince Diablo!

Let me check and see if I have any good pics of his racquet from this week.

[CitationJet]

OK, here are the two best close up photos of XM's racquet and at noresize.





I've got more so if anyone wants to see more views, just let me know.

Originally Posted by CitationJet

I did have a close-up photo of XM's racquet from the Legg Mason SF last Saturday up in your Legg Mason Picture Thread, but I see now that it has disappeared for some reason. I'll post a large size photo of the racquet later on this evening for everyone here.

Great thread by the way and some very interesting information provided!

[pjonesy]

Originally Posted by ericsson

Malisse has a pretty good relationship with Prince since he uses a totally custom racket, like i said underneath is a Prince Precision Retro but it is custom drilled with a custom handle and some lead. I know for a fact that Prince wanted him to play the newer stuff and he did but apparently he didnt like it so much and went back to his old stick, nowadays it is hard to paintjob the newer series with the holes so i guess that's why he is still using that Diablo pj.

Let me see if I understand this correctly. Malisse originally played with a Prince Precision Retro. He was "encouraged" to play with a newer model. Malisse tried the EXO3 Graphite 100. He did not like the racquet and wanted to go back to playing with the Precision Retro. Prince realized that the racquets could be painted the color of EXO3 models. What they could not cover up (or modify) is the port holes of the EXO3/Speedport racquets. The only racquet frame whose color scheme would work on the Precision Retro and still make it look like a newer model, would be the Prince Tour Diablo Midplus.

[ericsson]

Originally Posted by pjonesy

Let me see if I understand this correctly. Malisse originally played with a Prince Precision Retro. He was "encouraged" to play with a newer model. Malisse tried the EXO3 Graphite 100. He did not like the racquet and wanted to go back to playing with the Precision Retro. Prince realized that the racquets could be painted the color of EXO3 models. What they could not cover up (or modify) is the port holes of the EXO3/Speedport racquets. The only racquet frame whose color scheme would work on the Precision Retro and still make it look like a newer model, would be the Prince Tour Diablo Midplus.

That is correct my friend.