Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Prince Ripstick 2025

TW Staff

TW Staff

Administrator
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have another playtest opportunity this summer with a limited amount of Prince Ripsticks. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

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

Application period is now closed. Selected play testers will be notified via email by Wednesday, August 13.

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 September 26, 2025 by 5PM 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.

__________________________________

What we look for in a playtester:

1) A user that is in good standing - no excess warnings on Talk Tennis
2) A user that is participating on the forum- we look for a participant that is actively participating/posting on the forum on a weekly basis and has at least 100 posts (although we do make exceptions)
3) A user that is participating in threads on the racquet forum and bonus points if it is in threads that are related to the racquet being playtested
4) Participation in a string playtest- we offer monthly string playtests that are much easier to get into. If you show great effort there, it will standout for the next racquet/shoe playtest
5) if you have playtested a racquet/shoe in the past- we look for good effort in the comments, turning in your review on time and actively participating in the thread throughout the playtest

We do try to spread the wealth, if you have participated in either a racquet/shoe playtest within the year, chances are you won't be selected for a racquet/shoe playtest (we do make an exception to the rule if we see a user that stands out, doesn't happen often). Each playtest contains a mix of users that haven't participated in a playtest before, users that haven't been selected in over a year and users that show exceptional effort in recent string playtests.
 
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That 98 seems very interesting, looking forward to hearing feedback from differing points of view of the play testers.
 
Very much in for the 98. Fascinated to see if such a wide CTS beam and semi-open pattern is suitable enough for a 1HBH first-strike player. Hopefully I'll get picked so we can find out!
 
TW Staff said:
Attention Talk Tennis Members:

We have another playtest opportunity this summer with a limited amount of Prince Ripsticks. This playtest is open to USA Talk Tennis members only.

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

To apply, please send an email to discussadmin@tennis-warehouse.com with the following information:

Title: Prince Ripstick Playtest
Name:
Address (one line):
Email address:
Username:
Model (98 or 100)
Grip Size (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 (TBD- please check back soon).

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.

__________________________________

What we look for in a playtester:

1) A user that is in good standing - no excess warnings on Talk Tennis
2) A user that is participating on the forum- we look for a participant that is actively participating/posting on the forum on a weekly basis and has at least 100 posts (although we do make exceptions)
3) A user that is participating in threads on the racquet forum and bonus points if it is in threads that are related to the racquet being playtested
4) Participation in a string playtest- we offer monthly string playtests that are much easier to get into. If you show great effort there, it will standout for the next racquet/shoe playtest
5) if you have playtested a racquet/shoe in the past- we look for good effort in the comments, turning in your review on time and actively participating in the thread throughout the playtest

We do try to spread the wealth, if you have participated in either a racquet/shoe playtest within the year, chances are you won't be selected for a racquet/shoe playtest (we do make an exception to the rule if we see a user that stands out, doesn't happen often). Each playtest contains a mix of users that haven't participated in a playtest before, users that haven't been selected in over a year and users that show exceptional effort in recent string playtests.
Click to expand...
This will honestly be an interesting playtest. I was comparing the specs and looks similar to the Japan Beast 100 and 98 models.
 
I love a good Prince 100 frame. I was one of a few odd balls that actually liked the O Ports (except for stringing them ...that still was a pain) but the old Ozone Tours was one of many favorite all time rackets.
 
Thanks to TW for all the info about how people are selected. Sounds like I have a few months before I can do another racquet test, which is fair enough. Happy more people can get princes in their hands.
 
O-port at 16x18 open pattern. I assume there is no lack of power and spin (Rip it :) ), would be interesting to see how the control is.
 
I don’t know much about this frame, and it wouldn’t be my first or second choice to demo. Still, the 98’s specs make it look like an interesting racquet with solid power and spin, and the swingweight seems spot on. As someone who wouldn't typically go for Prince racquets and mostly plays with 18x20 control frames, I think I could offer a unique perspective if selected.
 
Looks super interesting! I've never played with a Prince racquet before and would be curious to see how their Ripstick line plays.
 
I'm a sucker for these playtests. I also know that chances are low, so might as well throw your hat into the ring.

I really liked the added control of the 16x20 string pattern of the Pure Strike that I was fortunate enough to playtest. I'm really curious how the 16x18 would play with the added spin (potential). I also like that the Ripstick appears to be somewhat relative in stiffness to the Blade 100 that I normally play with and the Pure Strike (that is still a staple in my bag). Weight, flex, size, etc. all seems to be right in my wheelhouse. I'll be following this one along even if I'm not picked!
 
I wish I could do more string playtests but polys are about the only thing that come up and I can’t do full beds of poly unless it’s something like poly tour air.

I’m intrigued by o-ports as I hear they’re good on the arm and spin-friendly but swingweights are beyond my usual 313-318 and so not likely a racquet I’d use. I wish there was a 290 g, I’d be all over that!
 
98 looks interesting. For such a thick beamed racket with a swingweight approaching 330, I imagine it still swings relatively fast with the O-ports and very headlight balance.
 
Would love to experience a direct comparison with the prince RS98 alongside the PA98 and BladeV9. The last time I’ve tried prince O-port technology was almost a decade ago…. Hoping it would be a blast from the past.
 
Looking forward to seeing the reviews of what looks like a Pure Aero/Pure Aero 98 competitor. Stringing the O-ports was a little different, but I’ve always loved the technology since I experienced the technology with Rebel 95 and Phantom 100.
 
Yeah I played with Prince frames back in the 80s and again in the early 2000s (Triple Threat Warrior was one of my favorite frames of all time), but never tried one with o-ports - really curious to see how these play and hoping I get selected!
 
I'm excited to read the reviews for these, but I think I'll refrain from submitting an application. As someone who's never played seriously with a prince, I don't know that my experience would offer as much as some others here.
 
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I didn't realize there's a 98 option. I really like the specs. Nice to see Prince tapping back into the under 100 sq in head sizes. The red color really stands out!
 
Played a prince racket in high school, took a 15 year break from tennis, then bought a couple ATS Textreme Tour 310s. Really like the 16x18 string pattern. I've never played with O ports but I've always been intrigued by them. I think the new Ripstick (especially the 98) will be a fun playtest. Really good looking cosmetic on these too!
 
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The only Prince 98 I’ve tried is the Textreme Tour from a couple years ago. I liked it but didn’t enjoy the balance. The specs on this Ripstick 98 look more headlight and still with a decent SW so I’m intrigued!
 
What's not to like about a RED racquet?!!

rs.php
 
Wonder if there will be any Ultra Pro 99 comparing? Both are thicker beamed 305g 16x18s. Loving these modern “control power” sticks lately. Currently, working through the UP99. Would love to rip both these sticks next to each other.
 
RIPStick18 said:
Wonder if there will be any Ultra Pro 99 comparing? Both are thicker beamed 305g 16x18s. Loving these modern “control power” sticks lately. Currently, working through the UP99. Would love to rip both these sticks next to each other.
Click to expand...
Oh good call. If I get selected I'll have the UP99 to compare to.
 
stapletonj said:
It will be Interesting to see if they are reissuing the o port stringing gizmos.......
Click to expand...
I imagine not since those things sucked. When I wasn’t aware of other methods to string, I had to sand the thinnest one down to fit my EXO3 Tours. Hopefully those boomerangs don’t come back!
 
O-Ports have always been intriguing to me. I've never hit with one, but after watching and reading a lot of reviews, it seems like "muted" is the most consistent description. For those that hit with O-Ports, what else do you like about it?
 
mixtape said:
O-Ports have always been intriguing to me. I've never hit with one, but after watching and reading a lot of reviews, it seems like "muted" is the most consistent description. For those that hit with O-Ports, what else do you like about it?
Click to expand...
It's a completely different dampened feel on contact. It's a comfortable racquet and I prefer it to have higher frame layup stiffness due to the increased comfort/dampness. The most important characteristic is that it's more spin friendly. The string bed deforms a lot more dramatically on contact than with traditional grommets.
 
Way2Slow said:
…you can never have too many!
Click to expand...
Surprisingly I have found the answer is actually yes.

I had gone down a path where I had 7 of the same racquet that I was using. I needed four because I was breaking strings every 2 hours. I switched and now break strings every 10 hours so I really only need two racquets and keep a third in the bag just in case. So three is the number! I don’t need more!
 
dak95_00 said:
Surprisingly I have found the answer is actually yes.

I had gone down a path where I had 7 of the same racquet that I was using. I needed four because I was breaking strings every 2 hours. I switched and now break strings every 10 hours so I really only need two racquets and keep a third in the bag just in case. So three is the number! I don’t need more!
Click to expand...

What strings are you using?
 
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