New Prince Line: January 2009 (Pictures + Specs)

The racquet is clearly a prince, lets see if he's still using it when he gets to madrid, i guess hes getting a good deal, the racquet kinda suits his defensive style, maybe now hell live up to the hype:-?
 
ESP#1 said:
The racquet is clearly a prince, lets see if he's still using it when he gets to madrid, i guess hes getting a good deal, the racquet kinda suits his defensive style, maybe now hell live up to the hype:-?
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If he switches for Madrid it will be quite ridiculous. It is very rare for someone to switch rackets and get to the final of a tournament, let alone a pro player.

I am still impressed with Davydenko's PLO win after changing string patterns and playing with only one stick throughout the tournament.

Interestingly, Davydenko now says he hates that racket, and there have been pictures of him that surfaced in which he may be testing a blacked out HEAD.
 
I think it sounds like a good excuse for Vince Spadea to make one last run back up the rankings in promotion of the new Graphite :)
 
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Just in case anyone was wondering about the 'new tech" alluded to in Japanese in Chauvalito's first post...

'densusutoringupatan'

it's Japanese English for 'dense string pattern'.
 
Is this the long await POG w/ speedports? Sure looks like it.
 
Mansewerz said:
Is this the long await POG w/ speedports? Sure looks like it.
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Yes it is, I remember when pictures surfaced on the board of a prototype POG being used by Davydenko's nephew.

That racket was painted a bright orange color. That was quite awhile ago, so it seems that this racket has been in the hands of playtesters for quite some time.

I wonder when Prince started courting Monfils?
 
uk_skippy said:
In-between the strings!!

Seriously, I can't really clearly see the 'new' holes. The pictures show something, but none of them really clarify what's being said. But I'd agree in that it seems more likely that the rqt could be a Prince as otherwise surely Monfils would have a Head logo on it if it were an experimental Head rqt.

I'm sure we'll find out soon enough.

Regards

Paul
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How do you not see the speed holes in the picture where monfils is sitting down..Theres no other company that does this
 
Possible proof that Monfils is using Prince?

airdupont said:
Monfils's racket doesn't look anything like the Rebel in my eyes!!!! Which is it then?
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I don't know if it is the rebel, but i am pretty sure it is a Prince. Check out the buttcap!

078163244b.jpg
 
The Ozone Pro Tour is the new holy grail. All you who think nothing can beat the old POG (I never see anyone using this old stick) need to climb out of the 80s. Trust me on the OPT!
 
Chauvalito said:
I forgot about good old Vince, the last Stalwart of the POG.
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In his book, Break Point, he mentions giving the new Prince's a try, and then quickly decides to go back to the POG. It would be interesting to see if Prince bugs him to try the new Graphite.
 
topspin92 said:
I have a feeling these will suck.
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Even based on my previous failings to like and play well with o3 rackets I am going to give these a try.

From what i have read about the changes to these rackets, Prince has toned down the influence of the o design to make a more subtle update to players sticks.

My previous time with O3 rackets left me with the impression that the technology produced such a muted effect that little feel for the ball was transmitted through the racket.

the best analogy i can use is that it felt like my arm had been numbed with a local anesthetic, and then I had gone out to play tennis. Some of this might be due to me not being good enough to use the unique characteristics of the racket.

I did like the 03 tour 18x20 however and felt that was a step in the right direction for Prince.

The rebel 95 specs are right within the range of my favorite list of rackets, it could be a little heavier, but that is nothing that cant be fixed with a leather and a little lead.
 
Those things are hideous...for some reason it looks like they're covered with glitter too!
Whatever happened to simple and clean design? I guess it got boring after a while. Now its back to "funky" in-your-face stuff.
 
the Rebel 95 spec looks very similar to my old Prince TT Rebel, 310g strung.

The flex and material are crucial but can't know that until have a hands-on experience.

BTW, i can't get used to my Rebel except on a NXT mains/Ultra tour cross !
 
anirut said:
I think manufacturers are responding to our talks on this board: Old school players' sticks that suit the modern game.
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Don't know how old school they will be if they have O ports (actually I think they would be speedports, not O ports).
 
JohnP said:
In his book, Break Point, he mentions giving the new Prince's a try, and then quickly decides to go back to the POG. It would be interesting to see if Prince bugs him to try the new Graphite.
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He is not a hot player. They won't bother with him.
 
ps60 said:
the Rebel 95 spec looks very similar to my old Prince TT Rebel, 310g strung.

The flex and material are crucial but can't know that until have a hands-on experience.

BTW, i can't get used to my Rebel except on a NXT mains/Ultra tour cross !
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Does the head shape of your rebel look elongated like Monfils racket does in the picture?

If it does not, then Prince may have changed the shape of the Head on the new rebel...or Monfils is using some other prototype and I am completely wrong.
 
Chauvalito

i am a believer of the myth that player's rackets are sky/earth difference from what we see in the market. and i believe that Monfils couldn't play as well as b4 if he really uses a Prince now b/c the feel would be that different, just like in Blake's case.

i have checked the Japanese Prince site now, and they do show Swing weight i guess on some models. but never a stiffness figure.

After checking out the 4 rackets in the EXO series, i am more interested (if any) in the 93 Graphite (looking) stick and the bigger Rebel. The material is Carbon for Rebel 95 and Carbon+Fibreglass for Rebel 105. i 'd prefer the softness of fibreglass compared to the GraphiteExtreme of Most Prince rackets.

But i don't really have a faith in Prince after 15+ yrs of poor racket design.
 
ps60 said:
Chauvalito

i am a believer of the myth that player's rackets are sky/earth difference from what we see in the market. and i believe that Monfils couldn't play as well as b4 if he really uses a Prince now b/c the feel would be that different, just like in Blake's case.
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Eh, I wouldn't generalize like that. Everyone is different. Blake didn't like his racquet and tried to get used it. Maybe Monfils actually enjoys playing with it? You'll get used to something alot faster if you actually LIKE the racquet.
 
Every pro that's hit with thew new 93 Graphite says that it's junk. Universal in their hatred for that frame. I've heard much better reports on the 95 Rebel.
 
More info please

El Guapo said:
Every pro that's hit with thew new 93 Graphite says that it's junk. Universal in their hatred for that frame. I've heard much better reports on the 95 Rebel.
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Well it sounds like you have the inside story. Can you tell us more? What pro's, and what did they say specifically.

Tell us about those reports on the 95 rebel as well please.
 
ps60 said:
Chauvalito

i am a believer of the myth that player's rackets are sky/earth difference from what we see in the market. and i believe that Monfils couldn't play as well as b4 if he really uses a Prince now b/c the feel would be that different, just like in Blake's case.

i have checked the Japanese Prince site now, and they do show Swing weight i guess on some models. but never a stiffness figure.

After checking out the 4 rackets in the EXO series, i am more interested (if any) in the 93 Graphite (looking) stick and the bigger Rebel. The material is Carbon for Rebel 95 and Carbon+Fibreglass for Rebel 105. i 'd prefer the softness of fibreglass compared to the GraphiteExtreme of Most Prince rackets.

But i don't really have a faith in Prince after 15+ yrs of poor racket design.
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That is to bad that you feel that way about players rackets and Prince rackets.

I do think you are forgetting what Prince has done for recreational players with their 03 technology. The new techs have also had much success on the womens tour as well.

I am quite sure there are always going to be softer playing rackets available to the public. However, I think the general trend in the pro ranks over the last 10 years or so has been a move toward stiffer more powerful rackets using carbon forms that are less forgiving than earlier kevlar and fiber glass frames. This has trickled down into recreational frames and the newer generation players sticks and will most likely continue.

I would predict that rackets amongst the pro's will continue to get more powerful over the coming years until the risk on injury increases. Once a balance is found though between power, control, and chance of injury, racket stiffness and technology will hover around those numbers, whatever they may be.

There are many rackets nowadays in the low 70's for stiffness. i can see those numbers getting even higher.
 
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Are these specs for Asian markets only or for world release? As I remember the Prince rep saying something about the specs may not be finalized for general release.
 
Shangri La said:
Are these specs for Asian markets only or for world release? As I remember the Prince rep saying something about the specs may not be finalized for general release.
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These specs most likely for the Japanese release frames.

I am aware that Wilson produces rackets of differing specs for different markets. Does Prince do this as well?
 
I think the sale of these and other racquets will be affected by the macroeconomy. My pro shop owner said this weekend he had to cut down on the number of stringers he employs and people are checking out very few demos because they don't plan to buy in the near future.
 
sureshs said:
I think the sale of these and other racquets will be affected by the macroeconomy. My pro shop owner said this weekend he had to cut down on the number of stringers he employs and people are checking out very few demos because they don't plan to buy in the near future.
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I would not be surprised in the least if racket sales are affected negatively due to current economic woes.

With that said, I don't think it is going to slow down racket companies from creating and releasing new frames.
 
Chauvalito said:
Well it sounds like you have the inside story. Can you tell us more? What pro's, and what did they say specifically.

Tell us about those reports on the 95 rebel as well please.
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I won't say more than I already have, but they are all pretty unanimous in both regards.
 
El Guapo said:
I won't say more than I already have, but they are all pretty unanimous in both regards.
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your claims are based entirely on us taking your word for it, but you're so vague i'm inclined to disbelieve you. i just dont think you really have the scoop.
 
Chauvalito said:
I would not be surprised in the least if racket sales are affected negatively due to current economic woes.

With that said, I don't think it is going to slow down racket companies from creating and releasing new frames.
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Not sure about that. I don't see many great new announcements.
 
Initiated by this thread, i started to know of this new series. But only find them in Japanese site. Prince has had special models for Japan only. Some of these models would be introduced here in HK, as kind of a side-line, not main theme product lines. These Japanese (market) models have a softer material and recommend a much less (like 5lb+) tension. They are usually much more comfortable than the other Princes.

For the shape and appereance, the new Rebel looks so ugly to me, and the pic is not from the front, so it maybe mis-leading as to its narrower head.

I've checked my old TT Rebel and it's almost 2 cm wider than my Tour 10 mid, but only half a cm longer. It's not as round as my Diablo (which is like a circle). It's a very stiff feeling racket (RDC 63 but felt much stiffer) and i always fear the contact at net with it, while i enjoy volley so much with my Diablo or Tour 10.

the above is just for you guys' info, 'cos i am not really a Prince fan nowadays. But i'd take out my Rebel today to see how it works (it has been lying there after the new string job for months)
 
I want a Graphite 93 now!! Are there any close up pics of the frames? - they are hard to see here and look more like drawings.
 
El Guapo you really must not have good info, cause I have talked to all of the prince pros too and they just absolutely love the new racquets... of course, I'm not going to say who I talked to, or what racquet they used, or whether or not I really talked to anyone, or if I'm just making up a complete story that sounds as falsified as yours, or what the pros I talked to actually thought of the racquets, but they said the racquets were the best they have ever used....

Moral of the story: provide details or nobody believes or cares what you say.
 
zane said:
El Guapo you really must not have good info, cause I have talked to all of the prince pros too and they just absolutely love the new racquets... of course, I'm not going to say who I talked to, or what racquet they used, or whether or not I really talked to anyone, or if I'm just making up a complete story that sounds as falsified as yours, or what the pros I talked to actually thought of the racquets, but they said the racquets were the best they have ever used....

Moral of the story: provide details or nobody believes or cares what you say.
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I second this..
 
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