Prince Official - Racquets
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Jasper Ruud
New User
I don't have a way to measure SW, but both my demos (98 and 100 310g) came in at the exact strung static weight shown on the TW site.
DF tennis
Rookie
And might even be worse for many players depending on what those players like from a racket.
Gee
Hall of Fame
A 16g poly vs 17g multi is a world of difference. Please demo with your favourite multi and tension for a better comparison test.
Happi
Hall of Fame
I agree, I have the Tour 95 in 3 versions and still like the first 2015 the best. Here are my rating:
1. TT95 (2015) a special frame with low SW I have 3 and I love them.
2. ATS95 close to 2015 but with a little higher SW like it a lot too.
3. TT95 (2019) high SW and too stiff, miss that great feeling from the 2015 version, I don’t really like the frame.
Hoping for a great 2026 version of the 95
Jasper Ruud
New User
extreme_western
Rookie
This is a great summary of the challenges presented for hitting feel with the current lineup of 98s. Agree with Beckett's comment that the Gravity Tour has a strong case for being in the Goldilocks zone, the blade pro would also be. Putting them in this zone is probably the most compelling case that could be made for these prince tours, is v high praise, and means I would definitely be interested to try if they were available in the UK (about which I have not yet researched)
Gee
Hall of Fame
Strange. Are you sure about that?
I always was allowed to string demo racquets with my favourite strings from Tennis Warehouse Europe.
Jasper Ruud
New User
I checked with TW and they said (via live chat), "We prefer you not restring the demo racquets per manufacturer's directives, since if anything happens to the racquet during stringing, you would be held liable." They offered to update my order saying that I would restring the demo but be liable to pay for the racket if it is "compromised" in the stringing process. They explained, that "during stringing, a racquet frame can occasionally crack or become warped if there’s a hidden defect or incorrect string tension is used."
Happi
Hall of Fame
What happens if you break a string on the first hit ?
Jasper Ruud
New User
I asked the same question in the chat, but didn't get a reply to that one. My guess is that they would say that you could send it back and they'd ship a replacement demo to you. I'm sure some people on this forum have had just the experience you describe, and could answer that better.
Happi
Hall of Fame
I just cut out the poly in the demo and restring with black multi. Newer had any issues. I didn’t know you were not allowed to do that.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
My 98 had lower SW like barely 321, closer to 320 on my measurements. It played fairly well, I had good control, with a laser like trajectory over the net. Balls that I didn't think would clear the net, did and I think it threw off my opponents lol. I may go and add a little weight to 3 and 9 like 2 grams to see how it plays later today because it did feel a little unstable against heavy spin/pace.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
I think this came up before, and it was handled between TW Customer Service and the Client. It's never come up for me since I don't break strings, but would be an interesting scenario. My guess is they'd either try to send a replacement out, or just refund your demo fee. I know a couple months back, they sent me the wrong racket in a demo, and just refunded my demo cost, which was nice.
Happi
Hall of Fame
IMO you can’t seriously demo a racquet with random aged poly strings. If you are serious about a racquet, then you need a string and tension you know well. I play multi strings, so I can’t demo seriously unless I install a multi string that I know. I never had any complaints about sending a demo racquet back with a different string. I don’t even think that they care.
Better we all stop talking about it so they don't end up noticing it
jmacdaununder2
Legend
TWA presumably likes you to think there’s a link up - but there isn’t. TO is the link up; TWA would’ve been the obvious choice of name when TW opened up daununder, but TWA had already snaffled the name.
There used to be a ‘Yonex Australia’ in Melbourne that wasn’t actually Yonex Australia too, not sure if that’s still the case, but at one point there was a rumour that the real YA was offering to buy the name from an obscure badminton retailer.
Big_Dangerous
Talk Tennis Guru
Probably most won't notice or care, though it does kind of suck for the next person, especially if you select a poly demo then cut out the strings and string a multi, and then return it and they just ship it out to the next person who gets multi thinking they ordered poly.
Personally, I get where you are coming from, but at the same time, since these demos are only a weekly rental, I don't feel like wasting my good poly or multi and then sending it back after a few hits. I'll add some weight like I did to the prince tour, which played much better with 2 grams at 3 and 9, but I can easily take that off before sending it back.
Yonex Australia still "kind of" exist though they have been forced to rename to Eye Cue by the looks (but the parent company is still Yonex Australia), they are the AU distributor for... Tourna Grip
and otherwise do kind of budget sport equipment but no association with Yonex
They do that for orders too not just demos.
anfield
Semi-Pro
I received my 98 demo and only had time to hit the backboard in street clothes before the rains came. I don't want to be hyperbolic but wow! It's so much crisper than my ATS 98 that I bought when I was looking for a lighter and slightly more flexible PS97 v13. But since I have a OHBH the flexible throat really threw off my timing, especially on fast reaction shots. The new Tour has a uniform flex that helps consistency. I was able to hit the same spot again and again with my backhand slice. It's just the right amount of stiff with the right amount of overall flex with really great feel. * The aramid/twaron/kevlar is the key for this great feedback.
I've demoed every stick trying to find a replacement for the v13 and have been playing the CX200 since October. It has the same 21.5mm box beam as the PS97 and has a nice uniform flex, is stiff when you need it, but flexible enough to get some feel and get the ball up down much easier then the brick-like v13. My only gripes with the 2024 CX200 is I had to weight it up to 342g at 32cm to get power and stability, and for some strange reason, even though it's heavier than my v13 it feels twice as fast. The other issue is the open string pattern. I've had to use 1.30mm Sniper to add some SW and reduce launch, I string crosses two pounds tighter as well.
With the new Tour 98 I have the power and stability stock and it has a more organic feel. I know I have to hit some live balls but it was a guttural feeling when hitting against the backboard that this is my new stick. It's just that good.
* I don't think there is Twaron, but whatever it is, it rocks.
I've demoed every stick trying to find a replacement for the v13 and have been playing the CX200 since October. It has the same 21.5mm box beam as the PS97 and has a nice uniform flex, is stiff when you need it, but flexible enough to get some feel and get the ball up down much easier then the brick-like v13. My only gripes with the 2024 CX200 is I had to weight it up to 342g at 32cm to get power and stability, and for some strange reason, even though it's heavier than my v13 it feels twice as fast. The other issue is the open string pattern. I've had to use 1.30mm Sniper to add some SW and reduce launch, I string crosses two pounds tighter as well.
With the new Tour 98 I have the power and stability stock and it has a more organic feel. I know I have to hit some live balls but it was a guttural feeling when hitting against the backboard that this is my new stick. It's just that good.
* I don't think there is Twaron, but whatever it is, it rocks.
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DF tennis
Rookie
And to make matters a little more complicated, they can' use Tennis Only in Europe, because there's a Dutch tennis store with that name, hence Tennis Warehouse Europe. Where by the way you can have demos strung with anything you want so long as you pay for it. If you don't, you'll get a random poly at 24kg.
I am invested in your experience with the new tours. I play with the Phantom 100x 18x20 and would like something a little more powerful and stable without giving up too much of the comfort that the Phantoms have. I am seeing the 310g Tour is getting rave reviews but I am a flatter hitter and the RA of 63 worries me. How is it going for you so far? No chance you demo the 100P?
jimdontcare
Professional
I feel like the 100P would be just fine for you. Even if the 310 is more popular, most of its positive reviews aren’t coming from people who play an 18x20 Phantom.
Jasper Ruud
New User
I agree with this. The 16x18 spacing on the Phantom and the 310g Tour is nearly identical, so it feels familiar. Swingweight and static weight are also very close. The main difference is stiffness and beam thickness. In your case with the 18x20 Phantom and the Tour 100P, those differences will be there, but so will static weight. However, the string bed should feel predictable. You should demo both the Tour 100 and 100P to see what you think. The "rave reviews" sometimes take on a life of their own.
It's rainy, so I won't get out on the courts for my second session until tomorrow, but I took the opportunity to cut out the 16g poly and put in some 17g multis. (Shhh....)
AM Stringing
Albert has lived and breathed tennis since 1976—as a player, stringer, coach, and retailer. His lifelong passion for the game has shaped every aspect of his career. Albert began playing at 14 and still enjoys competing, most recently at the 2025 USTA 55+ National Championships. He treasures the...
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This man plays a phantom 100p (not sure which year tho) and is a distributor for prince so imagine he'll have a tour review up at some point.
konstantinos kalfountzos
Hall of Fame
The Aceserver
Professional
I was told August. So yeah, probably mid-late August just before the US Open.
Truthfully I never played with any other Phantom. I was coming from a TF40 305 18x20 + a really bad shoulder injury to Prince saving my shoulder. I did not like the Tour 98 just did not click with it have the blue Phantom and the green phantom full bed of X1 BP 17.
In terms of comfort how would you compare the Phantom to the 310g Tour?
WillGinRVA
Semi-Pro
Anyone with a Briffidi measure the twistweight on some of these?
Jasper Ruud
New User
I have played all three versions of the Phantom 100 16x18, and they've all felt fantastic. I can see why your shoulder reacted well. I tried the 18x20 and it had the same feel as the 16x18, but the mass was too much for me over the course of a long session. Still, I have a reasonable idea of how your 18x20 feels (I also use 17g multis).
I'll get back with my impressions of the difference in comfort between the green Phantoms and the new Tours after I get the chance to hit a few times with the multis I just put in the demo. My initial feeling after hitting the Tour with poly the other day was that the difference in comfort was immediately noticeable (the Tour is harsher), but my arm felt fine. I let a few other people who string with poly take some swings, too, and they said the Tour felt comfortable. So, the harshness I noticed might be because I'm accustomed to the Phantoms, which make just about every other racket out there feel harsh by way of comparison. Or it might have been the strings... either way, I know it won't be as plush as the Phantom.
dsp9753
Semi-Pro
I am not a big review guy but I can give my comments on the new Tour 98. I currently use the purple/blue phantom 305x strung tightly with 55lb mains and 52lb crosses mayami big spin. I am a USTA 4.5 if it helps. My first time playing with the tour 98 was this morning in a match. Havent used it once before.
I strung up the tour 98 with toroline A5 43 mains and 40 crosses.
The tour 98 is def stiffer and more pop on it then my 305x. But it was pretty easy to swing and make good contact. My serves and forehand felt very good and I could easily swing through it and hit my targets. I felt like my volleys were very very crisp. Easy to make good contact and hit deep and/or sharp angles. The only thing I didnt like is that its a bit less manuverable than my 305x so I was a little slow on quick net exchanges but it was only a tiny bit slower. I imagine as I get use to it, this will quickly catch up. The 2nd thing is that backhands did not feel as comfortable for me. This is probably a me thing though even though my backhand is my better shot.
My ground strokes felt a bit launchy when I wasn't 100% dialed in but I think that might be more because of the strings. A5 strings are new to me. I also think I prefer tighter strings.
But I think I will def be switching to the tour 98. I have been wanting a little bit more easy power compared to my 305x.
I strung up the tour 98 with toroline A5 43 mains and 40 crosses.
The tour 98 is def stiffer and more pop on it then my 305x. But it was pretty easy to swing and make good contact. My serves and forehand felt very good and I could easily swing through it and hit my targets. I felt like my volleys were very very crisp. Easy to make good contact and hit deep and/or sharp angles. The only thing I didnt like is that its a bit less manuverable than my 305x so I was a little slow on quick net exchanges but it was only a tiny bit slower. I imagine as I get use to it, this will quickly catch up. The 2nd thing is that backhands did not feel as comfortable for me. This is probably a me thing though even though my backhand is my better shot.
My ground strokes felt a bit launchy when I wasn't 100% dialed in but I think that might be more because of the strings. A5 strings are new to me. I also think I prefer tighter strings.
But I think I will def be switching to the tour 98. I have been wanting a little bit more easy power compared to my 305x.
Last year, it was the 2024. I sent him mine from the play test, then went out there to the big island and played w him. Beautiful locale. Aloha spirit.AM Stringing
Albert has lived and breathed tennis since 1976—as a player, stringer, coach, and retailer. His lifelong passion for the game has shaped every aspect of his career. Albert began playing at 14 and still enjoys competing, most recently at the 2025 USTA 55+ National Championships. He treasures the...
This man plays a phantom 100p (not sure which year tho) and is a distributor for prince so imagine he'll have a tour review up at some point.
anfield
Semi-Pro
A5 feels quite lively to me so I would string it tighter than 43/40. On Toroline's site they list it stiffer than Snap Tour Flex. I played both with Sniper mains and matched frames. The frame with A5 crosses had a bigger sweetspot and my balls were flying long. I don't know how they measure it stiffer than black Snap Tour Flex.
The tour 98 - which is the comparable model to the x97 - is 16x19. Both the Twistpower x100s and the tour 100 310 are 16x18. The Phantoms are 16x18 too and certainly don't lack control.
Jasper Ruud
New User
The Tour 98 has 19 crosses in a shorter span than the Tour 100 uses to fit in 18 crosses, so the 98 is tighter than you might expect. In general, a lot of the Prince patterns leave more space between the frame and the last mains/crosses than you'll see in other brands.
Ombudsman
Rookie
Thanks for sharing your experience so far. Given the above, do you think a 16 or 17 gauge works better in the 98? Cheers
Guttersnipe
Professional
16x18 is too open for a 100”. It’s not about the “control” it’s about string tension maintenance and the fact I create more spin with tighter patterns. I don’t want to to be able to fit my pinky in between any cel. It’s a fun frame to hit baseline rallies with but it’s simply too open. It’s a spin machine but that’s it.
What would you need to have in the Tours to choose a Tour over a Phantom?
Jasper Ruud
New User
In my opinion, the gauge that works best for a racket depends entirely on the person. I tend to like 17g in all rackets, but I don't think it has to do with any of the characteristics of those rackets.
Any regular Tour 98 users out there who can weigh in on ideal string gauge?
Thinner gauges will give a whole bunch of benefits like increased power, comfort and spin at the cost of longevity.
The second time I used xone biphase 17g I broke the strings on day 2. I have used Prince Premier and Nxt Power all 17g and got more use out of them. But I really like X1 so I went back with it.
Ombudsman
Rookie
Thank you both. I rarely break strings and use X1 1.30 FB in both my Pure Strike 100 x19s save for string testing. Given the conversation around a tighter 16x19 for the Tour 98, was considering a 1.25 instead.
Jasper Ruud
New User
That's the big question! For me, moving from the Phantom to the Tour would require the Tour to help me out on power without giving up too much of the feel and touch I get from the Phantom. I had a fun doubles session today, my first with my multi strings in the Tour 100 310g. I was surprised by how differently it felt with multis compared to the poly that it came strung with. I knew it would be different, but not to this degree. The Tour felt great, I would even say "plush," but with more power and stability (super on volleys) than my Phantom. I was really impressed, but am looking for a few more sessions before returning the demo.
Just a side note, but I've become used to the CTS beam, so it is odd to look down and see a frame that bulges out to 23mm in the bottom half of the hoop. At first I felt like it would be hard to dial in my slices just because of how I perceived the racket's dimensions, but the adjustment doesn't take too long.
I'll go back to using my Phantom after I return the Tour demo, and see how I play. That'll help with deciding whether or not to switch at some point.
Lord of the Crags
Rookie
Did you notice any loss in topspin going from the poly to multi?
