Prince 03 Tour OS: info and opinions required.
- Thread starter AndrewD
- Start date
Gmedlo
Professional
I think i might be the only user on the boards still using it actively, so I think I should shed some light on it.
If you've played with either the mid or midplus version of the tour, you already know the racquet is a spin machine. What happens when you elongate the strings and open up the pattern a little? Massive spin. Probably the best spin potential of any racquet currently available; it has an open pattern, o ports, it's extended, and it's pretty flexible.
Feel has never been an issue for me with the racquet, even using full poly, because it cups the ball so much, although I will warn you, it is a very dampened feel. The OS does not have hard grommets at the throat, and you'll probably feel it.
The power level feels like a typical player's oversize with just a little more pop. It isn't going to do all the work, but it will certainly get the ball deep in the court with decent strokes.
As for serves, the massive spin potential carries over. It isn't a huge serving racquet, but some of the kickers you get are unbelievable, and everything, even flat serves, seems to come off the stringbed with a ton of spin.
Volleys feel sweet and are easy to keep deep. I get some extra court penetration, from the spin potential, with the extra slice on the ball. Touch shots are a little tricky to get down with the racquet simply because it's an extended OS with oports, but it's only because it isn't like any other racquet, so you just aren't used to it when you first try it.
I would say the racquet is strongest from the baseline. The spin potential jumps right out at you when you first hit groundstrokes. But, the best aspect of the racquet, which is almost always ignored in most racquet reviews, is the frame's forgiveness. I swear sometimes that the whole racquet is a sweetspot; it seems even when I manage to frame a ball, it still feels sweet! I can keep the ball deep in the court almost effortlessly because of this.
Other people will probably disagree with me when I say that the racquet is control-oriented, but that's because they have somehow come to the conclusion that less power equals more control, which I disagree with strongly. If you can handle a player's stick with some extra pop and spin, you'll love the tour OS.
If you've played with either the mid or midplus version of the tour, you already know the racquet is a spin machine. What happens when you elongate the strings and open up the pattern a little? Massive spin. Probably the best spin potential of any racquet currently available; it has an open pattern, o ports, it's extended, and it's pretty flexible.
Feel has never been an issue for me with the racquet, even using full poly, because it cups the ball so much, although I will warn you, it is a very dampened feel. The OS does not have hard grommets at the throat, and you'll probably feel it.
The power level feels like a typical player's oversize with just a little more pop. It isn't going to do all the work, but it will certainly get the ball deep in the court with decent strokes.
As for serves, the massive spin potential carries over. It isn't a huge serving racquet, but some of the kickers you get are unbelievable, and everything, even flat serves, seems to come off the stringbed with a ton of spin.
Volleys feel sweet and are easy to keep deep. I get some extra court penetration, from the spin potential, with the extra slice on the ball. Touch shots are a little tricky to get down with the racquet simply because it's an extended OS with oports, but it's only because it isn't like any other racquet, so you just aren't used to it when you first try it.
I would say the racquet is strongest from the baseline. The spin potential jumps right out at you when you first hit groundstrokes. But, the best aspect of the racquet, which is almost always ignored in most racquet reviews, is the frame's forgiveness. I swear sometimes that the whole racquet is a sweetspot; it seems even when I manage to frame a ball, it still feels sweet! I can keep the ball deep in the court almost effortlessly because of this.
Other people will probably disagree with me when I say that the racquet is control-oriented, but that's because they have somehow come to the conclusion that less power equals more control, which I disagree with strongly. If you can handle a player's stick with some extra pop and spin, you'll love the tour OS.
Gmedlo,
Thank you for the wonderfully detailed response, it's greatly appreciated.
I can't say I greatly enjoy a dampened feel, however, that really is just par for the course these days. Most frames are quite dampened so you just have to cope with it. I'm also not a great fan of the extended length frames. Unfortunately, there aren't a great number of 'players' oversize frames to choose from so, once again, I'll have to cope with it (or simply reduce the length by .5 inch).
Do you find it hits a heavy ball or is it more of a fast/light one (albeit with a lot of spin)? Also, how mobile do you find it at net?
I'm also wondering if you've tried any of the other oversize frames like the TT Warrior OS, Donnay Pro One OS or even the Flexpoint Radical OS? Ultimately, I'm looking for an OS frame and those three (plus the 03 Tour OS) are my candidates.
Thank you for the wonderfully detailed response, it's greatly appreciated.
I can't say I greatly enjoy a dampened feel, however, that really is just par for the course these days. Most frames are quite dampened so you just have to cope with it. I'm also not a great fan of the extended length frames. Unfortunately, there aren't a great number of 'players' oversize frames to choose from so, once again, I'll have to cope with it (or simply reduce the length by .5 inch).
Do you find it hits a heavy ball or is it more of a fast/light one (albeit with a lot of spin)? Also, how mobile do you find it at net?
I'm also wondering if you've tried any of the other oversize frames like the TT Warrior OS, Donnay Pro One OS or even the Flexpoint Radical OS? Ultimately, I'm looking for an OS frame and those three (plus the 03 Tour OS) are my candidates.
Last edited:
liehssahmster
New User
AndrewD,
My dad has been playing the o3 tour OS for the last couple of months and really likes it. His have been cut down to 27 in, have 15 grams weight added inside the handle and he is using the hard throat-bridge grommet from the o3 white, which is a perfect fit.
He's 52, plays USTA 4.5 and is primarily an old school strokes, s&v doubles player these days. He played in college, then was a teaching pro and tournament player for 15 years after college. Took a break from competitive tennis then returned 2-3 years ago and has been trying different frames ever since. He definitely likes this one the best so far. I'll ask him for a detailed rundown.
My dad has been playing the o3 tour OS for the last couple of months and really likes it. His have been cut down to 27 in, have 15 grams weight added inside the handle and he is using the hard throat-bridge grommet from the o3 white, which is a perfect fit.
He's 52, plays USTA 4.5 and is primarily an old school strokes, s&v doubles player these days. He played in college, then was a teaching pro and tournament player for 15 years after college. Took a break from competitive tennis then returned 2-3 years ago and has been trying different frames ever since. He definitely likes this one the best so far. I'll ask him for a detailed rundown.
liehssahmster,
That would be very helpful, thanks. I'm particularly interested to hear about the 'stability' of the 03 Tour OS. In stock form it is quite light (only 11.2oz) and has quite a thin beam which means there isn't a great deal of mass to cushion the impact. So, I'm wondering how it handles any shots hit outside the sweet-spot (harder to do with an OS but still inevitable on stab volleys and reaction shots).
That would be very helpful, thanks. I'm particularly interested to hear about the 'stability' of the 03 Tour OS. In stock form it is quite light (only 11.2oz) and has quite a thin beam which means there isn't a great deal of mass to cushion the impact. So, I'm wondering how it handles any shots hit outside the sweet-spot (harder to do with an OS but still inevitable on stab volleys and reaction shots).
