Prince to release grommeted racquets again in 2013

uscmba02

New User
I don't get how the ported Princes are hard to string. The 2 piece 50/50 works for me. But I'm far from an expert.
 

Cup8489

G.O.A.T.
I don't get how the ported Princes are hard to string. The 2 piece 50/50 works for me. But I'm far from an expert.

theyre very simple if one has a starting clamp, but not all of us have picked one up (the 35 dollar price tag always makes me cringe a bit when I place an order.. but i think the next time i buy strings I will be acquiring one.
 

mxmx

Hall of Fame
Why can't they just release "grommeted racquets" and O-port frames?

Production costs....simple...it would cost double the amount to make two sets of each model Prince racket. My suggestion for Prince would be to create a better more solid string hole insert....or to have special edition classic or port hole rackets...
 

mxmx

Hall of Fame
Wow! Rafa would be super tough if he switch racket companies and went with Prince technology. 30% more spin for Rafa would be curtains for all opponents.

I always thought the exo tour heavily leaded may suit his game...on groundstrokes at least...
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Production costs....simple...it would cost double the amount to make two sets of each model Prince racket. My suggestion for Prince would be to create a better more solid string hole insert....or to have special edition classic or port hole rackets...

But it would widen the audience: production costs would increase, but so would the potential market. Therefore the additional cost might not be a problem at all.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
But it would widen the audience: production costs would increase, but so would the potential market. Therefore the additional cost might not be a problem at all.

they still have access to the molds, i don't think cost is a factor at all from what i've been told.
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
they still have access to the molds, i don't think cost is a factor at all from what i've been told.

I'm sure they have the molds from their older frames, so I agree with you here.


If they decide to release some of their newer frames without the ports, then they'll have to develop some new molds.
 

Rabbit

G.O.A.T.
I'm sure they have the molds from their older frames, so I agree with you here.


If they decide to release some of their newer frames without the ports, then they'll have to develop some new molds.

yeah, but from what I've been told, the cost for that is very low.
 

mxmx

Hall of Fame
they still have access to the molds, i don't think cost is a factor at all from what i've been told.

It's not just about the molds. Its marketing not just one series, but more. These things cost money. Imagine all the prince rackets they have now right:

Rebel
95sq ported
95sq normal
98sq ported
98sq normal
100sq ported
100sq normal

Tour 100
95sq ported
95sq normal
98sq ported
98sq normal
100sq ported
100sq normal

Black
95sq ported
95sq normal
98sq ported
98sq normal
100sq ported
100sq normal

warrior
95sq ported
95sq normal
98sq ported
98sq normal
100sq ported
100sq normal

etc...

I don't think it will make sense to have the option of both ports or normal, on all models. Selected models, yes. Or a new more solid insert on all models, yes. Both on all models, no. There will be tons of stock left that the market segment will not fall into. In other words, a jack of all trades, master of none. They should specialise, and specialise well...

To use the exact same molds may just seem dumb to buy if there are not really improvements on the structure of the frame each time around. A new paint job and name will not cut it for me...

I think Prince needs a complete overhaul to be honest. They need to go back to their roots, take the best part of the past, and combine it with the best part of their present. And by this i do not mean just their actual rackets. I mean their whole marketing approach - their corporate identity so to speak. Their current "message" caters too much on new kids on the block, forgetting how many loyal players have been buying their frames for years.
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
I would like to see a "best of both worlds" approach:

Continue to produce the popular ported frames, while re-introducing some of the more popular traditional frames of their past.
 

mxmx

Hall of Fame
I would like to see a "best of both worlds" approach:

Continue to produce the popular ported frames, while re-introducing some of the more popular traditional frames of their past.

This is an alternative will probably cost them the least...
 

grover

Rookie
Any update on what Prince will be coming out with in 13'?

What will be dropped and what new rackets launched?
 

corners

Legend
Mitch, do you know why Prince went away from their traditional round headshape with the narrow, oblong heads of the 2012 Rebel line?
 

themitchmann

Hall of Fame
Mitch, do you know why Prince went away from their traditional round headshape with the narrow, oblong heads of the 2012 Rebel line?

It's only really the Rebel line that did this, so I wouldn't say the "went away" from their traditional shape...they just made a design choice (which I think came from there time working with James Blake). The oval shape works better for some swing styles, while the round works for others.
 

corners

Legend
It's only really the Rebel line that did this, so I wouldn't say the "went away" from their traditional shape...they just made a design choice (which I think came from there time working with James Blake). The oval shape works better for some swing styles, while the round works for others.

Which shape suits what type of swingstyles?
 

Automatix

Legend
I wonder if the lack of the new models is a strategy - not to release frames when other companies do, or is it a production or/and distribution problem.

P.S.: Bring back the Prince Precision Retro Longbody!
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
This is a key racquet release season and still nothing new from Prince and nothing on the TW review list???
 

THESEXPISTOL

Hall of Fame
It will be a pain in the arse for the pros that use the EXO3 Tour, which is IMO, alongside with EXO3 Graphite, the only decent 100'' racquet in the market. They can't paint the holes LOL!
They should invest more in the Graphite line, and release extended versions of their racquets.
 

Automatix

Legend
They can't paint the holes LOL!
Yeah... they're too many of them. But it has been done. Flexpoint anyone? ;)

They should invest more in the Graphite line, and release extended versions of their racquets.
I agree.

Besides midgets such as myself would like to play tennis to!

Currently the market doesn't offer any 28 inch sticks. Some players sticks are available in the 27,5 length - Babolat. But that's it.

I'll repeat myself: Bring back the Prince Precision Retro Longbody!
 

THESEXPISTOL

Hall of Fame
Besides midgets such as myself would like to play tennis to!

He agrees.

olivierrochusaskmeany.jpg
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Like Volkl, the racquet design studio of Prince is quite good so it will be interesting what they produce beyond perhaps the string pattern idea.
 

HRB

Hall of Fame
This just in....new product increases spin by MORE THAN 30%...they call it SWINGING LOW TO HIGH WITH PACE!!!!:twisted:
 
Last edited:

HRB

Hall of Fame
This just it....new product increases spin by MORE THAN 30%...they call it SWINGING LOW TO HIGH WITH PACE!!!!:twisted:

This being said I'm happy for Prince...such tradition, would hate to see them fail completely. Love to see the new version of the Response 97...they retain value on "the Bay" so I gotta expect they'll sell a few.
 
Top