Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Prince Phantom 2024

[TW Staff]

Attention Talk Tennis Members:

Heading in to summer, we are excited to offer a limited playtest of the brand new Prince Phantom 2024s. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only (please note- we are working to expand internationally for future playtests- stay tuned!).

VERY IMPORTANT: Playtesters will be required to get their test racquet strung. Each racquet will be shipped with two set of strings (one poly/one multi). We will have two grip sizes available - grip 2 and 3.

Application period is now closed. Selected playtesters will be notified via email by May 14th/

Title: Prince Phantom 2024 Playtest

Full Name:
Shipping Address (one line):
Email:
Username:
Racquet (please pick ONE- 100X 290, 100X 305, 100X 18x20, 100P, 107G):
Grip Size (please pick ONE- 2 or 3):

We have a very limited quantity of racquets to playtest. We select playtesters based on a number of factors, including message board participation and performance on past playtests.

Your review is due by Friday, June 21, 2024 by 5 pm PST.

Posting a full review by the deadline is necessary to remain in good standing for future playtests. Reviews lacking sufficient effort will resort in disqualification from the playtest program.

Include the following in your review:

String and tension used for test:
Tennis experience/background:
Describe your playing style (i.e. serve & volley):
Current racquet/string setups:
How many hours did you play with the racquet?

Comments on racquet performance for each stroke (each section should be 3-5 sentences minimum):
-Groundstrokes:
-Serves:
-Volleys:
-Serve returns:

Comments on racquet performance in each area (should be 2-3 sentences minimum)
Power/Control-
Top Spin/Slice-
Comfort-
Feel-
Maneuverability-
Stability-

General reaction/comments on overall performance:

Thanks,
TW Staff

We will delete “request sent” emails, but encourage a lively “pre-game” discussion on the racquets.

 

[Soundbyte]

Looking forward to this one after passing on every playtest since the Pure Aero 98. Submitted for the 100P! Fingers crossed!
Thanks again TW for doing these!

 

[mixtape]

Looking forward to it as well! I have the 2 previous generations of phantom 100P's, so I'm curious to see how much of difference the Zylon feels.

 

[Fighting phoenix]

Very cool! I'm actually a fan of the camo cosmetics on this frame. Definitely curious about the 100X 305.

 

[loosegroove]

Looking forward to it as well! I have the 2 previous generations of phantom 100P's, so I'm curious to see how much of difference the Zylon feels.

Would be nice to get some input from folks who used the previous generations of Phantoms. Hopefully the latest are incrementally better. Or maybe hopefully not so I don’t feel the need to get new rackets?

 

[A_Instead]

Fun Fun Fun...

 

[Soundbyte]

Would be nice to get some input from folks who used the previous generations of Phantoms. Hopefully the latest are incrementally better. Or maybe hopefully not so I don’t feel the need to get new rackets?

Agreed. I've used the 93P...but thats no longer around. Box beams are limited these days!

 

[Holdingserve85]

I have bought two of the new phantoms 290x as I like to customize the rackets to my liking /
Very easy to modify and get the balance I like with a mgri because the 290s I received had a swingweight of 326/ stable and very whippy with all the consistency, spin, and power anyone with great strokes would need

 

[mixtape]

That's the beauty of the Phantom line, they are easy to customize to your preference.

 

[gooberwho]

Thanks for offering this! Would be interesting to see how the 2024 107G stacks up against the 2020 version (which is still my gamer).

 

[Getting_Closer]

I have been playing with my two phantom rackets since they came out. I still remember they took me a month of practice to be comfortable with. Now, they are my only reliable lethal weapons. Looking forward to having an opportunity to see what else they could probably offer with this new model.

 

[SlowTiger]

I miss the old prince esp lines. I bought the phantom 03 thinking it would be similar but still missing that magic.

Been mostly using the synergy 98 as my main racquet but something still feels off. Prince is too overlooked

 

[A_Instead]

So.. what model are you looking forward to the review the most...?
Me is the 107G..

 

[naturalexponent]

While I'm sad there is no new 93P, I was a big fan of the last gen 107G and hoping the new one is more of the same.

 

[dak95_00]

As a long time POG 90 user who switched to the Head Gravity Pro, I'd like to try the 100X 18x20 racquet. I'd like to compare to the Head Gravity lines which I have really liked. I've also been a long time Prince user and I could easily see myself going back!

 

[GAS]

As a long time POG 90 user who switched to the Head Gravity Pro, I'd like to try the 100X 18x20 racquet. I'd like to compare to the Head Gravity lines which I have really liked. I've also been a long time Prince user and I could easily see myself going back!

Same here. Curious to compare with GPro. Also because I'd love a GPro with SW 325-330.

 

[NickJ]

Would be the 100P for me, if you did UK testing . . . .

 

[konstantinos kalfountzos]

@TW Staff as for Europe, including myself of course, I could playtest whatever racket and make some kind of full review with hitting clips included. Also, could include some more advanced hitting partners and get even more feedback. Among my hitting partners one is former ITF, another one is active ITF playing regional tournaments.

Tennis not being a job, playing 3 times a week, I would personally need 3-4 weeks for 2 rackets and most probably could pump-up to 4 sessions per week.

Rackets would of course be returned to TWE HQ.

 

[stapletonj]

I played in the 80s with Prince 110s.... when I was younger, stronger, faster.

Now, with the thicker 100s, I truly miss the thinner beams' ability to truly carve the ball, etc..

Will the extra 7 inches provide the power that a thin beam 100 would cost?

Will a touch of lead in the right places help significantly?

Will modern strings (poly, newer multis) help vs. old syn gut?

enquiring minds want to know!

 

[pheonix6579]

I played with the old Ozone Tours and Ozone Pro Tours back in the day. LOVED that series of frames even with the O-ports. IMO some of the most arm friendly rackets I've ever played with. Once they transitioned that line to the Phantom line. I kept trying them and each one still felt great and have seemed to keep that same spirit through various generations, but with little tweaks here and there. Overall, i feel over time they have gotten better. The 18x20 versions still have some of the best spin options of the 18x20s on the market.

 

[eremes]

This is exciting - currently hitting with the previous 100X 290 and loving it! Hoping to get a chance to play-test this and potentially adding it to my wish list.

 

[ey039524]

Currently have the Phantom Pro 100, 97p, 93p, Graphite Pro 90, Powerflex Pro 90. Interested to try the new 100P, since no more 97p or 93p.

 

[Circa 1762]

I played with the O3 Tour 100 16x18 way back in the day, switched to Prestiges, and then very slowly have been working my back to large head, thin beam frames - currently Blade 104 v9, strung in the mid 40s. From initial reviews it sounds like these new Phantoms have a smaller sweet spot, but I’m thinking stringing low and/or adding a little tape to the head will help.

 

[Ronaldo]

I miss the old prince esp lines. I bought the phantom 03 thinking it would be similar but still missing that magic.

Been mostly using the synergy 98 as my main racquet but something still feels off. Prince is too overlooked

Still use those esp racquets. Saved my elbow & wrist. Sadly does nothing for my shoulder after a rotator tear.

 

[dak95_00]

The only CTS racquets I hit with were the CTS Approach 110 which played very similar to the POG 110 in power and control.

 

[dgoran]

I played with 97p for a long while. Looking forward to trying 100x 18x20 to compare against blade pro, blade v9 and gravity pro all 18x20.

 

[pheonix6579]

I played with 97p for a long while. Looking forward to trying 100x 18x20 to campare against blade pro, blade v9 and gravity pro all 18x20.

I always felt that the gravity line gave a similar playing experience to the Ozone/03 Tours and Pro Tours, but with slightly more feel

 

[Cowboy]

Someone give me a quick education.

What's the major difference between the 100X 305 and the 100P? Head size, string pattern, weight and swing weight are pretty close.

It's also interesting that the 100X 305 and 100X 18x20 are so different in the weight and swing weight.

 

[jwocky]

Someone give me a quick education.

What's the major difference between the 100X 305 and the 100P? Head size, string pattern, weight and swing weight are pretty close.

It's also interesting that the 100X 305 and 100X 18x20 are so different in the weight and swing weight.

Beam thickness - P is thinner than X by 2mm

 

[ekucheraw]

I do love me a thin beam, thinking the 100P might be a really fun one to try out! Eventually I need to get my hands on a 93p as well, seeing as how there's a slight cult around here and that's my kinda crowd

 

[Crimsonchen]

I'd love to test out the 100 18x20 and compare to the speed pro. I really enjoyed the last prince play test with the ATS 95

 

[loosegroove]

Someone give me a quick education.

What's the major difference between the 100X 305 and the 100P? Head size, string pattern, weight and swing weight are pretty close.

It's also interesting that the 100X 305 and 100X 18x20 are so different in the weight and swing weight.

100X has a round beam, 100P has box beam. Previous generations there was a bigger difference in spec, and the 100P had significantly higher swingweight and more plow-through. The Phantom 100 Pro/100X by comparison felt noticeably faster and I thought a little softer. Now they seem to be closer according to TW published specs.

 

[Cowboy]

I decided to apply for the 100X 305. I'm hoping to experience the 59 stiffness. The 55 RA stiffness of the Wilson Clash feels too soft to me. The ~64 of the Blade 100 and Pure Strike 100 has been a welcomed reduction from the 69 stiffness of the Blade 100L. I'm wondering if 59 is the magic sauce.

I'm also curious on the description..."Classic control and feel meets modern speed and spin." As someone who learned to play in the early 90s, I think this could be a really fun playtest.

 

[codonnell]

Excited for a chance to playtest one of theset frames! I went for the 305 due to the heavier set up and paintjob. I would also be excited to try a frame in the high 50s as I generally use stiff frames.

 

[Injured Again]

So.. what model are you looking forward to the review the most...?
Me is the 107G..

Me too. As a 62 year old who plays against 4.5’s less than half my age, I need larger head sizes to help with declining eyesight. My current racquet is discontinued and I played with (and still have) the original Prince POG OS back in the day and the Phantom 107 would be a racquet I’d consider switching to.

 

[A_Instead]

I have been trying bigger head sizes lately as my tennis game is changing...takes a while to figure them out when I am used to a 98 inch Tecnifibre ISO 300.
My issue is trying to tame the liveliness of the bigger head.. I can't go up in tension to much as it will impact my wrist..
Both will poly and multi.

 

[Trip]

Going to be sitting this one out, due to already having a 2020 100P and 2020 97P and knowing their limits. That said, I'll be interested to see comparisons from those who have played the outgoing 100X and 100P. Best of luck to all the playtesters!

 

[ngoster]

I'm curious how the 100X 18*20 compares to the Gravity Pro. I had the Pro 100 18*20 but wasn't a fan as the string bed felt too soft and spongy. I ended up giving it away to my brother in-law.

 

[dandruffkb]

May be a little late but shooting my shot anyways! I loved my time with the Prince Twistpower and Synergy. Always felt like Prince was a dark horse in terms of rackets, always feels amazing, but just not very popular. Would be nice to see if the Phantom or any future rackets start pulling some players back to Prince!

 

[Yiuh]

Hoping to check out that 100P! I grew up a prince guy (Triple Threat Hornet hive!) but moved away from them in the last few years. The idea of an open patterned 100 with a very thin beam is pretty appealing though.

 

[Injured Again]

I have been trying bigger head sizes lately as my tennis game is changing...takes a while to figure them out when I am used to a 98 inch Tecnifibre ISO 300.
My issue is trying to tame the liveliness of the bigger head.. I can't go up in tension to much as it will impact my wrist..
Both will poly and multi.

I wrote about how OS racquets play differently in another thread here but I’ll repeat some of that.

OS racquets seem to compress the ball response spectrum, in that softer swings provide more power than with a typical midsize racquet, but at the top end of rec player swing speeds, power levels seem to be pretty comparable. I think some of the reason for an OS racquet to be powerful for shorter swings is that the longer strings are just energetically more efficient, but as swing speeds increase, the fact that an OS racquet sweet spot is closer to your hand means that if you are using a relatively stiff string, the power level is similar to a midsize racquet.

No player tries out a racquet by swinging as fast as they can from the start, so what most players feel is the higher power levels at lower swing speeds.

Anyhow, that compressed response spectrum is what makes it difficult to use an OS racquet when coming from a midsize. But the players, like many seniors, who compete well with OS and super OS frames tend to have lower top end swing speeds but are very precise in their range of swing speeds.

I’m different in that I’m still trying to play an aggressive game with an OS racquet, which I need due to declining eyesight when playing against hard hitting 4.5’s who are less than half my age. It takes some specific racquet modifications to make an OS racquet controllable when on the offense but it can be done.

 

[taydbear7]

Did Prince do away with the 93P? I enjoyed that racquet back in the day.

 

[loosegroove]

Did Prince do away with the 93P? I enjoyed that racquet back in the day.

According to Brittany there are currently no plans to produce the 93P. I never tried one but always found the 14x18 intriguing, although a bit out of my spec range in a few facets.

 

[pedrogcr]

I am really excited for this update by Prince! The Phantom line has been one of my favorites since 2019 and the last Gen 100x 290 is still in the Top 5 of my favorite racquets!

Since 2019, I have owned:
3 x original Phantom 100 O3 (still own 2) - the best blend of performance/arm friendliness, and what I reach when my TE flares-up (fortunately it hasn't happened in a while).
100x 290 - one of the fastest and better feeling racquets I own. Awesome access to spin, great control and incredible stability for the weight (mine is customized, though).
100x 305 - great stick, but I prefer the speed of the 290g version, which allows me to room to customize than the 305.
93p (14x18) - awesome comfort and feel, but too demanding for my skill level.
Pro 100p (v1) - Loved the feel of the square shaped beam, but preferred the balance/SW of my PCG100 LB.
107g and 100g - Both are plush and fast, but I just preferred the feel of the old POGs.

If the reports on the improved power and stability of the new 100x 290 are true, I can definitely see this camo paint version becoming my weapon of choice!

 

[pedrogcr]

I'm curious how the 100X 18*20 compares to the Gravity Pro. I had the Pro 100 18*20 but wasn't a fan as the string bed felt too soft and spongy. I ended up giving it away to my brother in-law.

That's something I've always wondered myself, but I fear the weight wouldn't allow me to customize it to my specs (especially adding an extra 1/2 inch).

With the Gravity, I was able to find a pro stock version, which comes with a very light hairpin and allowed me to add all the silicon and lead I needed.

And this is why I prefer the 100x 290 to the 305. Just more room for my mods.

I would love to see a 290 or 300g version with the same thin beam and a 16x20 or 18x19 string pattern though.

 

[PBODY99]

No ported choices

 

[mixtape]

No ported choices

For now...

I don't know if you read in the Prince Official Racquets thread but Prince Tennis Official posted a teaser photo of a ported 03 camo Phantom, but it was quickly deleted.

 

[ericykchan]

@TW Staff will the new Phantom color replacement grip available to purchase? Prefer to play with replacement grip and the colour looks awesome (hey fellow TT member, it's a personal preference haha)

 

[PBODY99]

@mixtape
Thank you. That is good to hear.
I have a pair of 1st gen O3 100 that I use for my easy hitting days., I'll get one just to how the latest layup will feel.

 

[Icsa]

A camouflage phantom? This racquet is so stealthy, it could win a match without the player.

Comfort and control - I'm intrigued!