Alternative to Prince phantom 93p 14x18

[Choicenow]

I’m a 55 year old solid 3.5 player inching in on 4.0. And using the Prince phantom 93p 14x18 (2019 version) with hyper G soft at 46lbs. which I love but due to its weight (325gm unstrung / 343gm strung with over grip and dampener) my arms get tired by the middle of second set. I really enjoy the racquet for its spin, plow through and the plush feel. I’ve tried Yonex Ezone 98 (2020)
Ezone DR 98 (2016), vcore 98 (2022) but didn’t really work for me as my balls were way shorter and didn’t give me the spin. And if I swung harder it would just go long, where Prince I felt confident in swinging through as I knew ball would drop in due to its spin factor.
I hope to find an alternative racquet so I can keep on playing well into my 60s. Any suggestions?

 

[jimmy8]

Used Head 360+ Prestige Pro - great plow through, amazing precision and control, plush feel from spiral fibers, decent spin from 16x19 string pattern. This is my number one favorite racket right now. And it sounds like it would fit you.

 

[Rentaroo]

I was looking for the same thing as you last year. I'm turning 50 this year and play 4.0 level. I also played with 93P 14x18. The mass was not my biggest concern; I was looking for a little more free power and something that would allow me to defend a little better. I play mostly doubles, so something that would be solid at the net against heavy hitters was important.

I took a chance on the 2019 Prince Textreme Tour 100 (310 gram) 16 x 18 when TW was having a sale. I'm very happy with this frame. The spin potential is good and the added power is nice, but not so much that control suffers. The frame is stiffer, so I use a hybrid string setup with multi mains and poly crosses. The end result is similar in feel to the 93P with a full bed of Kirshbaum Orange at 48lbs.

I don't think this frame is still available. I've read the new TT 100 16x18 (white colorway) is a really nice frame. It's a little more flexible than the 2019 version, so it may be a good option for you.

 

[ey039524]

97p seems like a logical successor to the 93p if you want a little more forgiving racquet w a bit more power. And then the 100p would be another step up.

I was looking at the opposite direction: I wanted less power, so I switched from the phantom pro 100 to the 97p.

 

[bobeeto]

Get a gravity MP

 

[Choicenow]

97p seems like a logical successor to the 93p if you want a little more forgiving racquet w a bit more power. And then the 100p would be another step up.

I was looking at the opposite direction: I wanted less power, so I switched from the phantom pro 100 to the 97

Yes, I forgot to mention that I bought the 97p thinking the same but for some reason I have difficulty with this racquet as I feel disconnected and doesn’t have the same plush feel as the 93p. So lent it out to a friend for last 6 month and just got it back, not sure what strings he put in but it’s at 50lbs. Still don’t links it, Maybe I need a different set up, any recommendations on strings and tension?

 

[ey039524]

Yes, I forgot to mention that I bought the 97p thinking the same but for some reason I have difficulty with this racquet as I feel disconnected and doesn’t have the same plush feel as the 93p. So lent it out to a friend for last 6 month and just got it back, not sure what strings he put in but it’s at 50lbs. Still don’t links it, Maybe I need a different set up, any recommendations on strings and tension?

I'm probably not the best one to ask bc I play it at 40 lbs w gut x monogut ZX. Most people would be hitting the back fence on every shot. I love it for touch at the net. Weighted up to about 350 g, all extra weight in the handle (leather and tungsten putty) for head light balance.

 

[Crocodile]

If you like the feel of the Phantom 93P but it gets too tiresome in the second set, I would try the Phantom 100P, you still get the Phantom feel in an easier package that still has some SW.

 

[pdparos78]

Yes, I forgot to mention that I bought the 97p thinking the same but for some reason I have difficulty with this racquet as I feel disconnected and doesn’t have the same plush feel as the 93p. So lent it out to a friend for last 6 month and just got it back, not sure what strings he put in but it’s at 50lbs. Still don’t links it, Maybe I need a different set up, any recommendations on strings and tension?

I recently put a hybrid of Solinco Tour Bitw and Solinco vanquish natural @ 22/23kg, and I’m in love with this stick again.

 

[flanker2000fr]

Not sure you're still searching, but an Angell TC95 16x19 would be a very good alternative to the 93P 14x18. Perhaps get one with a more manageable static weight of 310 or 315g to avoid getting tired too quickly.

 

[ey039524]

Prince is updating the phantom line. I would stick w phantoms bc there are few racquets as soft as these. Tim at Prince mentioned that he wants to see more phantom models released from the current 5, which gives me hope for an updated 93p and 97p.