Prince Official - Racquets
- Thread starter Prince Tennis Official
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10S-Junkie
Semi-Pro
The designers really did their homework and the Tour 98 will likely be Prince's best ever selling racquet as its specs check so many boxes for today's market.
GoArmyTennis
Rookie
If you want something close to the 2022 Speed Pro consider the 18x20 Tour 100p, either this generation or the 2015 version that have lower RA.
Thanks but I'm looking more for a 97/98' and this new tour 98 ticks all the boxes.
WYK
Hall of Fame
I thought the Extreme Tour was the baby Speed Pro.
GoArmyTennis
Rookie
I just always recommend the 2015 or 2022 Prince Tour 100p to those who like the 2022 Head Speed Pro because their specs are very similar:
22 Head Speed Pro:
100 sq in
18x20 string pattern
11.5 ounce strung weight
6 pts head light
326g swing weight
62RA
23/23/23beam
2015 Prince Tour 100p:
100 sq in
18x20 pattern
11.5 ounce strung weight
7 pts head light
321 swing weight
62RA
22/23/20mm beam
2022 Prince Tour 100p:
100 sq in
18x20 pattern
11.4 ounce swing weight
7 pts head light
322 swing weight
61RA
22/23/20mm beam
I don’t think any 98 inch 16x19 racquet would be close the ‘22 Speed Pro. Certainly not closer than the Tour 100p is.
WYK
Hall of Fame
That's why I said baby.
The Extreme Tour has a very tight pattern. It's really only Extreme in name.
I was just referring to how the Extreme Tour is really more along the Speed lines than Extreme. And it would be the baby of the line.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
I find the G360+ ET to have a higher launch angle and to be less precise than the G360+ SP. I find the ET to be better/more natural on serve (especially the second serve), to be better at picking up low balls (due to the higher launch angle), and I find that it's good on flattening out shots... but not as good as the SP.
It would be great if Head did put out a Speed version that was 98 (maybe call it Speed Tour, or change the Speed Pro to 98 and rename the current version of Speed Pro to Speed Tour), maybe make the beam a 21 or 22 mm flat beam (or at least 22mm at the tip), and the string pattern 18x19.
That would be the Head Prestige MP 2021.
Actually it is other way around, because Speed Pro was 315 gram in the past. They changed it later. Tour 98 is just a Tour 100 with little tweaks.
Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Fair enough.
WYK
Hall of Fame
Sorry, this whole time I was saying speed pro. I meant Speed MP. I see the ET more like a baby Speed MP.
I need to schmoke less...geziz.
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Classic-TXP-IG MID
Hall of Fame
Rock-solid
Rookie
I have been hitting with a demo of the Tour 98 this weekend from my local Canadian retailer and not sure what all the fuss is about. It is a nice racket and does everything fairly well, but nothing outstanding, and there are a lot of outstanding rackets out there these days. Speaking of the Speed MP, which I am currently using, I find that the MP is more maneuverable, more powerful, has just as much control (8 mains in the throat) as the 98 and in an all round easier to use package. Not to mention the new auxetic tech is easier on my arm. I was really looking forward to this since I used to play with the tour 95 a few years ago and thought the 98 would be more like it, but it is more like the tour 100, which I never got along with.
How can Speed MP more maneuverable than Tour 98 when it is 4HL vs 6HL. Plus Tour 100 is 7HL and Tour 95 9HL... So for you 5 points in balance is no different????
For me the key here is most 98 racquets are 4HL like Pure Strike, TF 40, Whiteout etc while Prince is doing sth more headlight which is better for advanced players or those who are not ballbashers but allcourters.
Rock-solid
Rookie
darko.sumanovac99
New User
Can you compare TT 98 with Ezone 98 ?
janelgreo
Professional
The “fuss” is just all the excitement about the 98 and the specs look great. Only about 2-3 people have hit with it so far (including you). One had extremely rave reviews and yours gave it a mediocre review. Once more people start playing with it, we’ll likely see more on both sides and even in the center of the spectrum. I appreciate all types of reviews and it is refreshing sometimes to see average/negative reviews because every racquet feels different to everyone.
janelgreo
Professional
They completed my matching service and these are the results for the Tour 98:
#1: W: 309.36g Bal: 31.1cm (10 pts HL) SW: 292
#2: W: 310.54g Bal: 31.1cm (10 pts HL) SW: 292
I really like these numbers, static weight is close, balance and SW is identical. Hopefully they get shipped out in the next day or two. Although my free bundle still says “waiting” lol.
#1: W: 309.36g Bal: 31.1cm (10 pts HL) SW: 292
#2: W: 310.54g Bal: 31.1cm (10 pts HL) SW: 292
I really like these numbers, static weight is close, balance and SW is identical. Hopefully they get shipped out in the next day or two. Although my free bundle still says “waiting” lol.
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Fluffy_Skye
Semi-Pro
Which model are these?
janelgreo
Professional
Oh sorry, it’s for the 98, I’ll update the post.
Fluffy_Skye
Semi-Pro
Ah, did you ask for customization? These seems to be heavier and more headlight than listed spec.
3 grams - 2 g plastic in the handle + 1 g strings holding the placard. Also take off 2 g from the rubber overgrip holder above the grip and you lose 5 g from the measured static weight to take you to 305 g unstrung. Probably raises the balance point closer to the hoop.
Donuts & Deadlifts
Rookie
I got to hit about 30-45 mins with my Tour 98 today. I really enjoyed it for the short amount of time so far. I'll get more drilling and point play this week with some doubles on Wednesday (hopefully).
janelgreo
Professional
What he said lol, TW does tell you that the plastic on the handle weighs 2.25. I did not do any customizations, just the matching service.
Fluffy_Skye
Semi-Pro
Well, for rackets at this weight I would prefer 5 HL strung. With these spec they’re probably gonna end up 7 HL strung. Look forward to your feedback.
jmacdaununder2
Legend
98 should've been flat beam.
Hankenstein
Hall of Fame
A little update on the Tour 98 playtest. First day i tried it indoors on hard with new balls and extremely low tension (estimated 35 lbs) and the frame felt really great! Day 2 i strung it with Signum Pro Poly Plasma hextreme at 48 lbs and the balls was pretty worn. Colder weather (15 degrees celsius) and play outside on clay. It was a totally different story this time and the frame felt more like a Prestige 600. I had a hard time finding the groove with the frame. I had an old Aeropro Drive in the bag as well and got so much more out of the session when i used that frame instead.
So a word of advice is that the Tour 98 should be tried the first time with very very low tension.
So a word of advice is that the Tour 98 should be tried the first time with very very low tension.
WYK
Hall of Fame
A 98 inch version of the tt100 is exactly what a lot of folks have been looking for. I think the TT100 is the best racquet Prince has made to date in a 100 sq inch design.
WYK
Hall of Fame
I would hope the Prince Tour 98 had very little in common with an APD...
FrankyRelax
Professional
Come on.... Ship already
curtstead
Professional
I had to call and ask to ship the racket without the back ordered gift. It sped up the process and is getting it shipped. Check your status and see if that’s the case for you.
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Shangri La
Hall of Fame
Like a Prestige 600 in what sense? Low powered, demanding? Good ball feel? My demo is expected to be delivered in 2 days.
FrankyRelax
Professional
I'll try this tomorrow. Thanks
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
free gift turned out to be a detour lol
thx for the gift though TW, love y'all!
--
anyone who hits with the new tour 98..... curious how it plays when compared with the ezone 98 2022 or radical mp.
I think these three will be close in control/stability/power.
with the tour being the more comfy of the trio, obviously.
radical mp is sneaky stable for the weight.
tour may hit a heavier ball though.
feel, I hope the tour has nicer feel than the ez.
power wise, I expect it to be closer to the ez, than the radical which is prob has a smidge more pop than the other two... IMO.
my starting point is 52/51 lbs with soft co poly, I'll prob start there.
Cheers all
thx for the gift though TW, love y'all!
--
anyone who hits with the new tour 98..... curious how it plays when compared with the ezone 98 2022 or radical mp.
I think these three will be close in control/stability/power.
with the tour being the more comfy of the trio, obviously.
radical mp is sneaky stable for the weight.
tour may hit a heavier ball though.
feel, I hope the tour has nicer feel than the ez.
power wise, I expect it to be closer to the ez, than the radical which is prob has a smidge more pop than the other two... IMO.
my starting point is 52/51 lbs with soft co poly, I'll prob start there.
Cheers all
c-had
Rookie
Day 1 demo thoughts for anyone interested.
I took my demos (98 and 100-310) out for a short hitting session on the ball machine yesterday afternoon. I currently play the 2019 TT100-310, and I was hoping the new 100-310 would work just as well with a bit more comfort and feel. I expected I'd like the new 100-310. Sadly, I really didn't gel with it. It felt less stable, and I had trouble hitting my targets. This is after just a short hit, so maybe things would improve with time. The 98, however, surprised me with how much I liked it. Very stable, great control and accuracy, comfortable, very maneuverable, and still possible to hit good pace when I wanted to. It's definitely lower powered than my old 100-310, but I think it still has enough. I was also surprised at how much spin I was getting from the 98. With the tighter pattern (8 mains in the throat vs 6) and smaller head size, I thought it would struggle in spin, but it seemed to do quite well.
I liked the feel of the 98 so much that I chose to use it for my USTA 4.5 doubles match last night. It performed great. I'm not sure I've ever volleyed that well. Very maneuverable, great feel. And despite that I was still able to hit big serves and groundies. The slightly lower power took some getting used to when I was on the defensive, but that was to be expected.
I've played 100 sq in frames for a while now, so I'm surprised by how much I like this 98.
I took my demos (98 and 100-310) out for a short hitting session on the ball machine yesterday afternoon. I currently play the 2019 TT100-310, and I was hoping the new 100-310 would work just as well with a bit more comfort and feel. I expected I'd like the new 100-310. Sadly, I really didn't gel with it. It felt less stable, and I had trouble hitting my targets. This is after just a short hit, so maybe things would improve with time. The 98, however, surprised me with how much I liked it. Very stable, great control and accuracy, comfortable, very maneuverable, and still possible to hit good pace when I wanted to. It's definitely lower powered than my old 100-310, but I think it still has enough. I was also surprised at how much spin I was getting from the 98. With the tighter pattern (8 mains in the throat vs 6) and smaller head size, I thought it would struggle in spin, but it seemed to do quite well.
I liked the feel of the 98 so much that I chose to use it for my USTA 4.5 doubles match last night. It performed great. I'm not sure I've ever volleyed that well. Very maneuverable, great feel. And despite that I was still able to hit big serves and groundies. The slightly lower power took some getting used to when I was on the defensive, but that was to be expected.
I've played 100 sq in frames for a while now, so I'm surprised by how much I like this 98.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
@c-had
nice feedback, thank you for sharing.
I wonder how "low powered" it is. maybe I should go a couple lbs lower with tension!
is it blade power? what other frames can you compare it with other than prince?
I'm so sorry. I haven't touched a prince frame since 1995.
in 2022, I have been playing about 5-6x a week
with:
radical mp - a month (vibration bothered me)
vcore pro 97 - a couple weeks
vcore pro 100 - almost two months
ezone 98 DR - a month
ezone 98 2022 - current frame
prince 98tt on the way
nice feedback, thank you for sharing.
I wonder how "low powered" it is. maybe I should go a couple lbs lower with tension!
is it blade power? what other frames can you compare it with other than prince?
I'm so sorry. I haven't touched a prince frame since 1995.
in 2022, I have been playing about 5-6x a week
with:
radical mp - a month (vibration bothered me)
vcore pro 97 - a couple weeks
vcore pro 100 - almost two months
ezone 98 DR - a month
ezone 98 2022 - current frame
prince 98tt on the way
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c-had
Rookie
I haven't played anything but Prince long-term, but I can try to compare to demos I've done in the past. Take with a grain of salt, since I never played for an extended time with them.
I'd say it is a fairly comparable power level to a Blade 98 16x19 v7. The power level is a bit less than the 2020 Yonex Ezone 98 (with a little lead to up the swing weight to mid-320s), 2020 Yonex Ezone 98 Tour, and 3rd-gen Babolat Pure Strike 98 16x19.
I don't mean to come across as saying the 98 is underpowered. I was just commenting that it had less power than the 100. Not surprising given that's how most lines work from racquet companies (though many other companies achieve extra power in their 100s in part by increasing stiffness, which Prince has not done here).
darko.sumanovac99
New User
geoffrey holland
New User
Make of it what you will. From TW's comments on their YouTube promo video:
Q: "Michelle: How does the ATS Tour 98 compare to the new Ezone 98… Their specs are identical in many categories…. They are very similar, at least on paper. You liked the Ezone 98… but you love the Tour 98…"
A: "First I would say the feel of Yonex racquets and Prince racquets are different as well as their headshapes. I gravitate toward the shape of the Prince Tour 98 (and am more familiar withit) and would say the EZONE feels a bit more muted vs. the Tour 98. Then from there I would just comment that the Tour 98 feels a bit more comfortable, stable and offers a bit more plow through. It just feels better in my hands and I feel more confident with it in my hands -- some of it I can't necessarily put into words (but hope that makes sense!)
Michelle, TW"
Q: "How does this racket compare to the yonex vcore pro and ezone line of rackets?"
A: "We found the power level to be fairly close to the EZONE 98, but with a bit more feel and responsiveness to the Tour 98. So maybe not quite a mix of the two, but somewhere in between, leaning closer to the easy power of the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How would this compare to blade 98 16x19 v8?"
A: "This Tour 98 is similar as far as the weight, headsize, and fairly close in avg swingweight. That said, this one packs a bit easier punch, or power, with the thicker beam up in the hoop. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 is a bit more control oriented overall. We found the power level of this Tour 98 to be a bit closer to the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "how is the power level compared to the synergy 98 and ezone 98?
A: "We would say pretty close the EZONE 98, but provides easier power to the Synergy 98. The Synergy 98 feels a bit lower in power, closer to like a VCORE Pro, or Blade 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How does this racquet compare to the Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19?"
A: "This Prince ATS Tour 98 provides a bit easier access to power. The Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 has a slightly firmer feel, and offers a bit more control. Both racquets offer pretty good spin potential. Troy, TW"
Q: "Michelle: How does the ATS Tour 98 compare to the new Ezone 98… Their specs are identical in many categories…. They are very similar, at least on paper. You liked the Ezone 98… but you love the Tour 98…"
A: "First I would say the feel of Yonex racquets and Prince racquets are different as well as their headshapes. I gravitate toward the shape of the Prince Tour 98 (and am more familiar withit) and would say the EZONE feels a bit more muted vs. the Tour 98. Then from there I would just comment that the Tour 98 feels a bit more comfortable, stable and offers a bit more plow through. It just feels better in my hands and I feel more confident with it in my hands -- some of it I can't necessarily put into words (but hope that makes sense!)
Michelle, TW"
Q: "How does this racket compare to the yonex vcore pro and ezone line of rackets?"
A: "We found the power level to be fairly close to the EZONE 98, but with a bit more feel and responsiveness to the Tour 98. So maybe not quite a mix of the two, but somewhere in between, leaning closer to the easy power of the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How would this compare to blade 98 16x19 v8?"
A: "This Tour 98 is similar as far as the weight, headsize, and fairly close in avg swingweight. That said, this one packs a bit easier punch, or power, with the thicker beam up in the hoop. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 is a bit more control oriented overall. We found the power level of this Tour 98 to be a bit closer to the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "how is the power level compared to the synergy 98 and ezone 98?
A: "We would say pretty close the EZONE 98, but provides easier power to the Synergy 98. The Synergy 98 feels a bit lower in power, closer to like a VCORE Pro, or Blade 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How does this racquet compare to the Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19?"
A: "This Prince ATS Tour 98 provides a bit easier access to power. The Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 has a slightly firmer feel, and offers a bit more control. Both racquets offer pretty good spin potential. Troy, TW"
c-had
Rookie
Yes, the feel is very different between the old and new 310. Part of that is that the new one feels a good bit softer. Hitting them back-to-back make me really notice the jarring shock in my wrist on off-center hits in the 2019 (which I generally consider to be fairly comfortable). But also they just feel different. I don't know that I can explain it well, but it seems like having the racquet flex in different parts just gives the racquet a different feel. I imagine some folks will really like the new feel, and others may prefer the old.
Ryebread
Hall of Fame
Make of it what you will. From TW's comments on their YouTube promo video:
Q: "Michelle: How does the ATS Tour 98 compare to the new Ezone 98… Their specs are identical in many categories…. They are very similar, at least on paper. You liked the Ezone 98… but you love the Tour 98…"
A: "First I would say the feel of Yonex racquets and Prince racquets are different as well as their headshapes. I gravitate toward the shape of the Prince Tour 98 (and am more familiar withit) and would say the EZONE feels a bit more muted vs. the Tour 98. Then from there I would just comment that the Tour 98 feels a bit more comfortable, stable and offers a bit more plow through. It just feels better in my hands and I feel more confident with it in my hands -- some of it I can't necessarily put into words (but hope that makes sense!)
Michelle, TW"
Q: "How does this racket compare to the yonex vcore pro and ezone line of rackets?"
A: "We found the power level to be fairly close to the EZONE 98, but with a bit more feel and responsiveness to the Tour 98. So maybe not quite a mix of the two, but somewhere in between, leaning closer to the easy power of the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How would this compare to blade 98 16x19 v8?"
A: "This Tour 98 is similar as far as the weight, headsize, and fairly close in avg swingweight. That said, this one packs a bit easier punch, or power, with the thicker beam up in the hoop. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 is a bit more control oriented overall. We found the power level of this Tour 98 to be a bit closer to the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "how is the power level compared to the synergy 98 and ezone 98?
A: "We would say pretty close the EZONE 98, but provides easier power to the Synergy 98. The Synergy 98 feels a bit lower in power, closer to like a VCORE Pro, or Blade 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How does this racquet compare to the Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19?"
A: "This Prince ATS Tour 98 provides a bit easier access to power. The Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 has a slightly firmer feel, and offers a bit more control. Both racquets offer pretty good spin potential. Troy, TW"
WOA I MISSED ALL OF THIS, THANK YOU!
janelgreo
Professional
Make of it what you will. From TW's comments on their YouTube promo video:
Q: "Michelle: How does the ATS Tour 98 compare to the new Ezone 98… Their specs are identical in many categories…. They are very similar, at least on paper. You liked the Ezone 98… but you love the Tour 98…"
A: "First I would say the feel of Yonex racquets and Prince racquets are different as well as their headshapes. I gravitate toward the shape of the Prince Tour 98 (and am more familiar withit) and would say the EZONE feels a bit more muted vs. the Tour 98. Then from there I would just comment that the Tour 98 feels a bit more comfortable, stable and offers a bit more plow through. It just feels better in my hands and I feel more confident with it in my hands -- some of it I can't necessarily put into words (but hope that makes sense!)
Michelle, TW"
Q: "How does this racket compare to the yonex vcore pro and ezone line of rackets?"
A: "We found the power level to be fairly close to the EZONE 98, but with a bit more feel and responsiveness to the Tour 98. So maybe not quite a mix of the two, but somewhere in between, leaning closer to the easy power of the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How would this compare to blade 98 16x19 v8?"
A: "This Tour 98 is similar as far as the weight, headsize, and fairly close in avg swingweight. That said, this one packs a bit easier punch, or power, with the thicker beam up in the hoop. The Blade 98 16x19 v8 is a bit more control oriented overall. We found the power level of this Tour 98 to be a bit closer to the EZONE 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "how is the power level compared to the synergy 98 and ezone 98?
A: "We would say pretty close the EZONE 98, but provides easier power to the Synergy 98. The Synergy 98 feels a bit lower in power, closer to like a VCORE Pro, or Blade 98. Troy, TW"
Q: "How does this racquet compare to the Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19?"
A: "This Prince ATS Tour 98 provides a bit easier access to power. The Tecnifibre TF40 305 16x19 has a slightly firmer feel, and offers a bit more control. Both racquets offer pretty good spin potential. Troy, TW"
Everything here is exactly what I wanted, hope I feel the same way.
jbdbackfan
Semi-Pro
I've hit with the PCG 100 for almost 7 years now, but did dabble with the last TT 310, and found it at times to be uncomfortable and even stiff. Wondering if those of us who prefer the Graphite/Phantom feel may actually like the new TT 310 better? The 98 is so tempting too to just buy, but may not be a good idea mid USTA season still using the Graphite 100s.... time will tell...
