The Prince Phantom 93P is a gift to us from TW - My Review/AMA

Tommy Haas

Hall of Fame
I recall someone posting that the 93P is well suited for 1HB. I can hit both 1HB and 2HB and like whipper frames for my one hander while I like heftier feeling frames for my two hander. Most rackets feel too light for my two hander, but I can't go too heavy otherwise it affects my forehand. What type of backhand do 93P users here have and how do you like it on that wing?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I hit a 2 hander and I like it a lot on that side. Is it as easy feeling as an extended pure aero? No, but I paid a lot of attention to how my backhand was with it, and there is no drop off really.

I understand the feeling of a frame feeling too light for the 2 hander. Used to have that happening. I found that is more related to the racquet drop than the racquet. Once I focused on bringing the racquet back a little higher and dropping it a little lower so I was really forming a C with my swing, my backhand got a lot more consistent and the frame was out of the equation. The 93P does not feel light on either side. It's a very easy frame to lean into backhands with.

Having a 93P really made me realize that the racquet is probably not going to win me too many more points than better footwork. I am going to work in the PA+ more next week and do some comparisons there. If the your movement is subpar and you are having a bad day, then the PA definitely can help. But it won't help you get better, it may just reinforce some lazy habits. I played last night at a pretty high intensity, and the last 20 minutes I was pretty worn down. I just stayed with the P93. I knew I was tiring out, and made the proper adjustments, which was re-focusing, moving my feet and trusting the frame instead of trying to overhit. I am not the type to switch between frames very often unless I am comparing them. Thats usually a last ditch effort.

Also need to add that the feel of this racquet just keeps getting better for me. The tension really does not drop much in the RS Lyon in an 18x20. You could easily string this frame under 45#s with full poly and be fine if you are a spin hitter. My tension was 48# off the stringer and is 43 now. I think it's been 7 total hours of play now.
 

JOSHL

Hall of Fame
I recall someone posting that the 93P is well suited for 1HB. I can hit both 1HB and 2HB and like whipper frames for my one hander while I like heftier feeling frames for my two hander. Most rackets feel too light for my two hander, but I can't go too heavy otherwise it affects my forehand. What type of backhand do 93P users here have and how do you like it on that wing?
I hit OHBH and this frame is great for it. It’s strange because this frame is whippy and hefty at the same time. Mine is 12.5oz but swings very fast because of the small head/thin beam.
 
I hit a 2 hander and I like it a lot on that side. Is it as easy feeling as an extended pure aero? No, but I paid a lot of attention to how my backhand was with it, and there is no drop off really.

I understand the feeling of a frame feeling too light for the 2 hander. Used to have that happening. I found that is more related to the racquet drop than the racquet. Once I focused on bringing the racquet back a little higher and dropping it a little lower so I was really forming a C with my swing, my backhand got a lot more consistent and the frame was out of the equation. The 93P does not feel light on either side. It's a very easy frame to lean into backhands with.

Having a 93P really made me realize that the racquet is probably not going to win me too many more points than better footwork. I am going to work in the PA+ more next week and do some comparisons there. If the your movement is subpar and you are having a bad day, then the PA definitely can help. But it won't help you get better, it may just reinforce some lazy habits. I played last night at a pretty high intensity, and the last 20 minutes I was pretty worn down. I just stayed with the P93. I knew I was tiring out, and made the proper adjustments, which was re-focusing, moving my feet and trusting the frame instead of trying to overhit. I am not the type to switch between frames very often unless I am comparing them. Thats usually a last ditch effort.

Also need to add that the feel of this racquet just keeps getting better for me. The tension really does not drop much in the RS Lyon in an 18x20. You could easily string this frame under 45#s with full poly and be fine if you are a spin hitter. My tension was 48# off the stringer and is 43 now. I think it's been 7 total hours of play now.

Definitely smaller size racquets require more footwork and you don't to be as lazy with larger frame racquets. Isn't playing with the Pure Aero Plus a completely different feel from the 93P?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Definitely smaller size racquets require more footwork and you don't to be as lazy with larger frame racquets. Isn't playing with the Pure Aero Plus a completely different feel from the 93P?

Yes, and thats why like having both. But the adjustment is not hard because I have been playing with the PA+ for a long time now. I know exactly how to shape the ball with it. And to be honest, not much changes with the 93P, I can just hit through the ball more and I really enjoy that. I have always enjoyed the Aero frames, so it just makes sense for me to have those in the bag. My bag will be 2 PA+s and 2 P93s. I plan to use the 93s the most, but knowing how I like to mess with tweeners too, this will keep me covered.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Feeling good and playing good are 2 completely separate things! :D

I honestly don't think you will see much drop off if you have good movement. A lot of this is in the mind. I definitely think a Babolat is easier to use (and play lazy with), but if you are moving the feet and and in good shape, that's really 90% of tennis. The racquet is the 10% that a lot of people exaggerate into being much more of a factor.

Let's see how it goes for you.
 

haqq777

Legend
93p feels like 95 to me and way bigger spin and sweet spot that prestige 600/ig mid
Agree. I have hit with PC600 and the 93P has a bigger sweet spot without a doubt. Better spin as well. I don't have a way to prove it but I am fairly certain it is due to how well-balanced 93P feels when swinging. Sublime.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Well, the blade, ultra tour and project one7 were all a lot easier to play with than the igyt mid. Experiment failed. :D
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
I wonder how this compares to other Prince 93's, either with 16X18 (Exo3 Graphite) or with 14X18 (POG Mid).
I found the pog mid to feel harsh and brassy and the exo3 graphite to be too sluggish and vague. I think this should be much better than both the other 2 in terms of feel.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Then I suppose I can point to the O ports for your dislike of Exo3 Graphite. I happen to like some O port racquets, so I might perhaps enjoy the Exo3G.
Actually the exo3 graphite doesn’t feel as soft and vague as the o3 tour and the exo3 tour 16x18. Out of those 3, it definitely felt the best but it was just too sluggish and loglike.
 

jonestim

Hall of Fame
I found the pog mid to feel harsh and brassy and the exo3 graphite to be too sluggish and vague. I think this should be much better than both the other 2 in terms of feel.

POG mid with the "straight shaft" or "tour" paint could be a bit brassy. I sold those and kept my 4 stripe.
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
Actually the exo3 graphite doesn’t feel as soft and vague as the o3 tour and the exo3 tour 16x18. Out of those 3, it definitely felt the best but it was just too sluggish and loglike.

Ok, thank you. Phantom 93 is tempting but I have never liked any 18x20 in the past. I wish it had a more open pattern.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
POG mid with the "straight shaft" or "tour" paint could be a bit brassy. I sold those and kept my 4 stripe.
I had a 4 striper and thought it was a bit harsh and brassy still. Actually I still have a brand spanking new pog mid 4 striper that has never been strung in my collection still. Not sure why I kept it. :)
 

scotus

G.O.A.T.
I’ve come to love 18x20s! The spin the 18x20s generate is tight, heavy, penetrating spin that kicks forward instead of vertically.

That sounds pretty good.

I'm getting a couple of old Prince 93's ready for playtest (when my foot finally heals). I think I might buy a Phantom 93p and give it a whirl!!
 

tomato123

Professional
Glad to see other frame connoisseurs are digging this thing. It's such a fantastic frame to play tennis with.

I remember you also tried the Yonex SV 95 for a short time in the past and I was wondering if you could provide some input on the comparisons between the two frames. I currently use the SV95 that's modded to similar specs as the stock 93P but never played with a frame smaller than 95.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
Ill trade ya a ps95 for the ig if you are down. I have a 3/8 and 1/4.
To be fair, I should let the tension drop some on the fresh string job. Poly typically needs to sit in the frame for a few weeks before it starts to feel right to me. But I’ll definitely keep the offer in mind.

Pro staff 95? Which version?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
To be fair, I should let the tension drop some on the fresh string job. Poly typically needs to sit in the frame for a few weeks before it starts to feel right to me. But I’ll definitely keep the offer in mind.

Pro staff 95? Which version?

The white one from a few years back that i think gads and spinwin were also digging. Its a platform frame.
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I’ll let this stringbed settle in and give it another go. If it’s still a no go, I’ll hit you up.

No biggie, but I figure if we all have good frames laying around that we aren't using, may as well trade some.

Selling my PC600 was probably the dumbest thing I ever did.

I have a Dunlop 200, I believe the grip is 3/8ths, Some Yonex Xi98s, the Wilson PS95 and a 1/4 Extreme Pro. All nice frames that I simply do not use.
 

Addxyz

Hall of Fame
What are you other guys stringing your 93P with? I know @Power Player is doing RS Lyon @ 45.

I think my 50/48 is definitely too stiff. I did notice some weird sound / vibration on off-center hits? Racquet is still amazingly solid on ground strokes and still has incredible touch at the net.
 

Dartagnan64

G.O.A.T.
I’ve come to love 18x20s! The spin the 18x20s generate is tight, heavy, penetrating spin that kicks forward instead of vertically.

Probably more of a ball flight characteristic than a spin characteristic. 18x20's tend to have a lower launch angle which gives more penetrating flight than 16x19. If the ball is travelling more horizontally with less vertical force, it will tend to shoot through court after bouncing. Not sure it's kicking as much as its carrying more forward momentum rather than dipping and kicking up like you see with a lot of spin rackets.

I really like that kind of flight with my 2HBH, but I'm more into loopier topspin FH's. Too bad you can't change rackets mid-rally lol. If I could I'd hit all my BH's with a Blade SW 104 and all my FH's with a PD.
 

mad dog1

G.O.A.T.
No biggie, but I figure if we all have good frames laying around that we aren't using, may as well trade some.

Selling my PC600 was probably the dumbest thing I ever did.

I have a Dunlop 200, I believe the grip is 3/8ths, Some Yonex Xi98s, the Wilson PS95 and a 1/4 Extreme Pro. All nice frames that I simply do not use.
The prestige mid worked better today, but still not as good as the Ultra Tour. Will give it another few weeks.

I might be up for trading it anyways cuz I have 2! I always get frames in pairs. :)
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
The prestige mid worked better today, but still not as good as the Ultra Tour. Will give it another few weeks.

I might be up for trading it anyways cuz I have 2! I always get frames in pairs. :)

The Dunny 200 may be more of interest to you, especially if you like the Ultra tour and want to throw in something that is similar.
 
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