Hey everyone, here is my review of the Prince Phantom 100x 290.
Sorry I wasn't able to post earlier, but I've been having issues accessing the forum on my computer since yesterday. I could access it from my phone, and only tonight I thought about using it as a hotspot so I could log in with my PC.
The Prince Phantom series - one of my favorite series all-time - is famous for its classic feel and flexible frames, and the new 2024 Phantom 100x 290 stays true to this tradition. This racquet offers the same impressive combination of control, and comfort of the previous iterations, but the new layup offers a bit more stability an easy power making it a strong contender for players seeking an arm-friendly yet performance-oriented option. I'm genuinely impressed by this update to one of my favorite lines of racquets, and it has certainly earned a permanent place in my "holic" bag.
String and tension used for test: For this playtest, I used:
- Mains: Head Sonic Pro Edge at 41 pounds
- Crosses: Head Sonic Pro Edge at 37 pounds
Tennis experience/background: Male, 44 years old, 4.0 NTRP. Grew up playing on red clay in Brazil and competed in regional tournaments until I was 15. I took a long break from the game and resumed playing at 39, already in Florida. I have always been partial to extended racquets and have modified many standard-length models in search of the perfect fit.
Describe your playing style (i.e., serve & volley): I'm a baseliner who plays with a lot of topspin on both sides, using a semi-western forehand grip and a two-handed backhand. I primarily play doubles these days and love hitting cross-court angled passing shots and offensive topspin lobs. My slice and net game are inconsistent, and my serve speed has been limited due to a shoulder injury, but has been improving since I started to feel better.
*EDIT TO ADD VIDEO:
The video below is from 2022, but is the perfect example of how I like to play. I am the guy in the white hat and arm sleeve (coincidentally the one with all the highlights), and was the only 4.0 rated in that match with some good 4.5 friends. I was using the previous generation Phantom 100x 290, and was at the peak of my shoulder pain, so was stuck hitting that pushy, low-powered half-slice serve, but the rest of my game was pretty sharp that day.
Current racquet/string setups:
I rotate between many frames in friendly play, but will usually reach for my Head Gravity Pro (TGT344.4) extended to 27.5" or, more recently, my Prince TX182P-100 27.38" (18x19).
I also like to test different string setups, but have been loving lower tensions around 40 lbs.
Some of the main strings I use are the aforementioned Head Sonic Pro Edge that, unfortunately was discontinued, Ytex Square-X, and MSV Focux Hex, among others.
How many hours did you play with the racquet?
I played with the racquet for about 10 hours with it in stock form, and another 3 hours with it customized to my specs. I will focus more on the general experience with the racquet in stock form, and will write another review after I have more time with it with the updated specs.
Comments on racquet performance for each stroke:
- Groundstrokes: The Phantom 100x 290 performed impressively from the baseline, giving me excellent control and a plush feel. Both my forehand and backhand felt solid and consistent, allowing me to hit with depth and precision. The racquet's stability for its weight was remarkable, and I could generate heavy topspin and maintain long rallies with ease.
- Serves: Serving with the Phantom 100x 290 was a mixed experience. Flat and slice serves were reliable and precise, allowing me to place the ball accurately. However, kick serves lacked the same pop and consistency, making it harder to mix up my serve effectively.
- Volleys: The racquet was excellent at the net, feeling light and maneuverable. Volleys were crisp and precise, with a fantastic feel that allowed for great touch on drop volleys. Overheads were similarly solid, giving me confidence to finish points decisively.
- Serve returns: I found the Phantom 100x 290 to be very effective on returns, especially on the backhand side. It allowed me to handle big serves and redirect them with control. Forehand returns were equally reliable, enabling me to take aggressive cuts at second serves and maintain control.
Comments on racquet performance in each area:
- Power: This racquet has a low power level due to its thin beam and flexible frame. This allowed me to take big swings and generate my own power, which suits my game well. Compared to previous models, I noticed an incremental increase in power, making it slightly easier to hit with depth and pace.
- Control: Control is a standout feature of the Phantom 100x 290. After a brief adjustment period, I felt confident in my ability to place shots accurately without overhitting. Directional control was precise, allowing me to target specific areas of the court with ease.
- Top Spin: The racquet's headlight balance and open string pattern made it easy to generate topspin, particularly on my backhand. I was able to hit beautifuly shaped and heavy shots from the baseline. This frame suits my topspin-heavy game perfectly, enabling me to play with confidence from the back of the court.
- Slice: Slice is probably my worst shot, so I try not to use it much! However, the thin beam of the Phantom 100x 290 offers awesome control on touch shots, making drop shots a very effective weapon.
- Comfort: Comfort is a key strength of this racquet. Despite my history of elbow and shoulder issues, I experienced no discomfort even during extended play sessions. The flexible frame and soft string setup provided a very arm-friendly experience.
- Feel: The racquet provides excellent feel, balancing plushness with a touch of crispness. Most people think Phantoms (and Prince) are too muted, but I find they offer good feedback on touch shots and volleys, and I agree with most other reviewers that this new version might feel even better, offering a slightly more direct feedback than previous versions.
- Maneuverability: The Phantom 100x 290 is very maneuverable, even when extended by 0.5 inches. It was easy to handle at the net and on quick reaction shots, making it versatile for various play styles.
- Stability: Stability was solid, though not exceptional. The racquet handled most shots well, but against heavy hitters, I noticed a slight instability on off-center hits. the extra length and a little lead at 10 and 2 quickly improved this aspect, as well as improving the response from the uuper hoop.
General reaction/comments on overall performance: Overall, I am thoroughly impressed with the 2024 Prince Phantom 100x 290. It offers a well-rounded mix of power, control, and comfort, making it a welcome improvement, while keeping the main aspects that make the Phantom line so special. While I'm not sure yet if I will switch back to using it as my main racquet, it has certainly earned a permanent place in my "holic" bag.
Stock and Customized Form: In its stock form, the racquet is already quite playable, but I preferred it with some added weight to enhance stability and power. Customizing it to match my usual specs brought out its best qualities, adding more pop, especially to the serve.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
Excellent control and feel
Arm-friendly comfort
Maneuverable at the net
Solid performance on both wings
Cons:
Slight instability against heavy hitters
Less effective kick and slower flat serves
Conclusion and Rating: I always knew the 290g model would be too light in stock form for my game, but I was actually quite impressed by its performance. But the slightly lower swing weight compared to the 305g version makes it one of the best platform racquets for gear-heads who like to tinker with their equipment.
I rate it an awesome 9 out of 10, as one of my favorite modern frames.