Question for Troy re: PS90/PP100P

[ugatmh]

Hey Troy / @TW Staff -

In your review of the 2014 Pro Staff 90, you comment that "I would have a dream racquet if they could pack this type of solid and responsive feel into a 98 square inch headsize." And later in your review of the Prince Phantom Pro 100P, Troy says "I feel like this is what an old Federer Pro Staff 90 would play like in a 100 square-inch head size. All this racquet needs is more mass in the handle and a leather grip to match the Pro Staff 90 specs, which I will soon be experimenting with."

Did you get a chance to weight the PP100P and make a few direct comparisons between the two? Any other thoughts between the racquet similarities or differences?

https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/reviews/PS90/PS90review.html
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Reviews/TPPP10/TPPP10Review.html

A more forgiving 100 sq inch box beam looks really appealing! Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

[TW Staff]

@ugatmh,
I did add weight to the PP100P, and I believe the specs ended up right around 12.5 oz, and 335 swingweight. I really liked the feel, stability, spin, comfort, and huge sweet-spot. There were times where the racquet felt a bit flexible for my liking, but it was still very stable with the added weight. I was able to play pretty well with the customized PP100P, but in the end I was craving some added control. I think that this racquet would have worked for me with a more dense pattern, like a 16x20, or an 18x20 would have been interesting. With the 16x18 pattern, I think I would need the headsize to be a bit smaller, like 97 square inches, for me to get the level of control I like. The Pro Staff 90 has surgical precision, and the stiffness is right where I like it, in the mid 60's but not uncomfortable. I love the feel of the Pro Staff 90, but the headsize isn't big enough for me to feel confident playing competitively with. I think the PP100P is a great option for those looking for a lot of control and feel, with a very forgiving sweet-spot. In the end I was left craving just a bit more precision.
Troy, TW

 

[ugatmh]

Awesome, thanks for the detailed feedback Troy!

cc: @TW Staff

 

[ugatmh]

Hey Troy / Erik / @TW Staff -

I have been playing with the first generation PP100P for a little over a year. My racquets came in a little under spec (290 SW unstrung) and I have recently been looking for more power and forgiveness. Would the new Phantom 100X 305 be a good option? What should I expect in terms of power, forgiveness, and playability?

Thanks in advance for any direction you can provide.

 

[Shangri La]

In the new purple version of Phantom 100P review, players gave it higher score in power. But the playtesters are different the 2 reviews, so is the new version indeed more powerful than the first gen PP100P?

Additionally, playtesters commented how the oiginal PP 100P had a generous sweetspot. Is that still the case in the new 100P? I noticed the new Phantoms claim to have tweaks in the upper hoop for more responsiveness there. But does that make the lower stringbed more dead? Thanks.

 

[TW Staff]

@ugatmh,
I would give the slight edge in power to the new 100X 305. For me, they are both highly control oriented, but this update to the 100X 305 offers a decent amount of pop. I'm not certain if you are trying to keep the maneuverability, but you might also consider a bit of weight at 3 and 9 on your 100P.

@Shangri La,
I found it to feel slightly more powerful. The tweaks in the upper hoop seemed to make it feel a bit more stable in the upper hoop, offer a slightly crisper feel, and a bit more pop.

Troy, TW

 

[ugatmh]

As always, thanks for your feedback Troy / @TW Staff

 

[wevin]

Additionally, playtesters commented how the oiginal PP 100P had a generous sweetspot. Is that still the case in the new 100P? I noticed the new Phantoms claim to have tweaks in the upper hoop for more responsiveness there. But does that make the lower stringbed more dead? Thanks.

The tennis warehouse university racket comparison tool show that the new Phantom 100P has the biggest sweet spot in the new Phantom line up and bigger than the original Phantom Pro 100P.

Has anyone noticed this improvement in sweet spot in the newest 100P?