DavaiMarat
Professional
Putting the ‘Prestige’ back into Prestige MP.
Hi guys,
Introduction
I’m a huge Prestige fan. I’ve played with the prestige ever since the intelligence series. However, in the later models I’ve notice the frames don’t seem to have the same pop and stability the older models had starting with the flex point. Moreover, the frames seem to have been getting whippier but less plush. Doing more research into to this, I noticed the swing weight has been progressively dropping on these frames over the years.
Thesis
So my goal was to make the racquet feel/play like its predecessors without making it a freaking bat. Using the TW method I calculate my swing weight for my current frame (stock with a prince resinthin grip) to be 309 so pretty close to the 310 advertised. My goal was to pump up to 330 (330 is probably one of the lowest swing weights you’ll see a pro use) but keeping the frame balance the same. The frame weighed 333g and I gave myself 7gs of lead to make the customization. I didn’t want to go over 340g because I didn’t want the frame to feel sluggish.
Modifications
The found out 5.8 grams at 12 o clock and 1.2 grams just above the handle (1.2 inches) gave me what I wanted. Balls to the wall I took off the old grommet and place 2x4inch strips of lead (1/4 inch) on either side of the string holes at 12 followed by 2x3.6 on top of 4 inches pieces = 5.8 g.
For the handle I took a strip of 4.8 inch lead take and wrapped it right above the grey plastic of the butt cap (approximately 1.2 inches).
Then I subsequently replaced the old grommet with a new grommet (IG not the black one) and strung it up with 54 cyclone 16 and 56 nxt (classic).
First Impressions:
This thing is a beast. There was a new sound to the frame when I hit the ball. The only thing I can compare it to is the pro hit. A solid flexing of the frame. Also, the power increase was phenomenal. Dwell time was also increased. I finally felt like this is how the frame use to/should play. To he honest it had close to a mid size frame feel with tons of plough and pop.
Groundies:
Huge power increase. I could brush the ball and it had pace and spin. The balls were a little flatter then normal so I had to adjust a bit. The ball was butter in front of a hot knife. Even slightly off center hits were truer and less harsh. Really had a polarizing effect to the frame. 9/10
Volleys:
Plush. With such weight at the tip a little tap with your weight moving forward was all u needed. The frame was a little tougher to move in those quick reaction volleys so I did lose maneuverability but nothing a little wrist exercising wouldn’t fix. 8/10
Serves:
The first serve I hit went 5 feet long. I dialed it in with a little more spin. Again it was about using less body and more racquet. The extra added weight I felt I could relax letting the pendulum do more of the work and concentrate more on a good wrist snap. I think it added 5-10kph to my serve. I didn’t have time to serve a lot so I don’t want to judge too quickly but 8.8/10.
So if you want to make your prestige a beast feel free to try the modifications I mentioned above and let me know your experience.
TW Chris you should really try this!
Hi guys,
Introduction
I’m a huge Prestige fan. I’ve played with the prestige ever since the intelligence series. However, in the later models I’ve notice the frames don’t seem to have the same pop and stability the older models had starting with the flex point. Moreover, the frames seem to have been getting whippier but less plush. Doing more research into to this, I noticed the swing weight has been progressively dropping on these frames over the years.
Thesis
So my goal was to make the racquet feel/play like its predecessors without making it a freaking bat. Using the TW method I calculate my swing weight for my current frame (stock with a prince resinthin grip) to be 309 so pretty close to the 310 advertised. My goal was to pump up to 330 (330 is probably one of the lowest swing weights you’ll see a pro use) but keeping the frame balance the same. The frame weighed 333g and I gave myself 7gs of lead to make the customization. I didn’t want to go over 340g because I didn’t want the frame to feel sluggish.
Modifications
The found out 5.8 grams at 12 o clock and 1.2 grams just above the handle (1.2 inches) gave me what I wanted. Balls to the wall I took off the old grommet and place 2x4inch strips of lead (1/4 inch) on either side of the string holes at 12 followed by 2x3.6 on top of 4 inches pieces = 5.8 g.
For the handle I took a strip of 4.8 inch lead take and wrapped it right above the grey plastic of the butt cap (approximately 1.2 inches).
Then I subsequently replaced the old grommet with a new grommet (IG not the black one) and strung it up with 54 cyclone 16 and 56 nxt (classic).
First Impressions:
This thing is a beast. There was a new sound to the frame when I hit the ball. The only thing I can compare it to is the pro hit. A solid flexing of the frame. Also, the power increase was phenomenal. Dwell time was also increased. I finally felt like this is how the frame use to/should play. To he honest it had close to a mid size frame feel with tons of plough and pop.
Groundies:
Huge power increase. I could brush the ball and it had pace and spin. The balls were a little flatter then normal so I had to adjust a bit. The ball was butter in front of a hot knife. Even slightly off center hits were truer and less harsh. Really had a polarizing effect to the frame. 9/10
Volleys:
Plush. With such weight at the tip a little tap with your weight moving forward was all u needed. The frame was a little tougher to move in those quick reaction volleys so I did lose maneuverability but nothing a little wrist exercising wouldn’t fix. 8/10
Serves:
The first serve I hit went 5 feet long. I dialed it in with a little more spin. Again it was about using less body and more racquet. The extra added weight I felt I could relax letting the pendulum do more of the work and concentrate more on a good wrist snap. I think it added 5-10kph to my serve. I didn’t have time to serve a lot so I don’t want to judge too quickly but 8.8/10.
So if you want to make your prestige a beast feel free to try the modifications I mentioned above and let me know your experience.
TW Chris you should really try this!
