Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Prince Ripstick 2025

[mixtape]

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!

Ahh...You just need a second bag for the other racquets and then rotate bags. lol

How does one apply for a playtest (rackets, strings, shoes)? Thanks!

When a playtest is open, TW will have an email address where you send your info. Then when the application period is closed you just wait and they will email you if you get selected. Stay active on the forum!

 

[Cowboy]

How does one apply for a playtest (rackets, strings, shoes)? Thanks!

Instructions are in the original post, but you have to catch them early. Once the application period is closed, the post is edited and application instructions removed.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

Congratulations to everyone else that got in !! Can't wait to try this one out ! Prince Ripstick 98 2025 !!
I haven't played a 16 x18 racquet in awhile, but my trusty Pure Strike 98 is 16 x19. I am guessing this will be quite a bit more powerful !!

 

[BBender716]

Super excited to be selected. Definitely curious to compare the 98 to my Shift 99 and just acquired a PA98. First ever Prince racquet!

 

[mhkeuns]

Congrats to those selected. Looking forward to the reviews, especially the 98” Ripstick.

 

[A_Instead]

I think most will enjoy their ripsticks.. Prince makes quality rackets.. years ago..many on both tours as well as those in public courts etc dawned the big P stencil..
It was a tennis brand that was recognized even by non tennis players..

 

[tennisfan17]

Nice! I got selected!

 

[SteveI]

I think some will be pleasantly surprised how good Prince racquets can be..

THe Prince Warrior 100 is a great frame..

 

[BBender716]

I think most will enjoy their ripsticks.. Prince makes quality rackets.. years ago..many on both tours as well as those in public courts etc dawned the big P stencil..
It was a tennis brand that was recognized even by non tennis players..

Twas both my parents racquets when I was a kid but being the rebel, I never got one of my own despite my racquetholism.

 

[A_Instead]

Perhaps you get yourself a Prince then.. Prince was the staple back in the day..

 

[BBender716]

Perhaps you get yourself a Prince then.. Prince was the staple back in the day..

That's part of why I'm happy about being selected for this playtest

 

[A_Instead]

Enjoy your play test BB..be sure to tell your folks of your new toy.. make them proud

 

[SteveI]

The frame seem a bit wild to me... I skipped this one. Not sure they would work for me at all. Congrats to all the selected!!!! Enjoy.

 

[BBender716]

The frame seem a bit wild to me... I skipped this one. Not sure they would work for me at all. Congrats to all the selected!!!! Enjoy.

Definitely wild. Absolutely curious!

 

[OEEspino]

Thank youuu T Dubs and Prince! Happy to add this to my Prince Collection! And can’t wait to hit with it

 

[LordGulbis]

Thank youuu T Dubs and Prince! Happy to add this to my Prince Collection! And can’t wait to hit with it

Looks very good.

 

[OEEspino]

Looks very good.

The quality feels really good too!

 

[LordGulbis]

The quality feels really good too!

Is it the 100 or the 98 inches?

 

[OEEspino]

Is it the 100 or the 98 inches?

100sqin!!

 

[LordGulbis]

100sqin!!

Great, have a good time.

 

[StringStrungStrang]

My 98 came in too !! The 100 and the 98 sure look similar. Strings provided are Prince Premier Power 16 and Prince Vortex 17, but I'll probably try something I'm more used to so I can focus on the racquet performance.

The Prince Ripstick 98 (and 100) sure are RED !! I love it. I just so happen to have the perfect overgrip for this too - a red Wilson AbsorbX !!
Funny I can find specs written anywhere on the racquet, but a QR code instructs us to scan to find them!! Interesting.

 

[mixtape]

Got selected and received my racquet today! Woohoo!

The racquet is 98 times nicer in person than what I've seen online. I can't wait to get it strung up and test it out!

 

[Cowboy]

Dang. that looks nice!

I know the rarity and honor that it is to be chosen for a playtest. I'm a little more jealous of this one, for some unknown reason, than most of the others that I've not been selected. I'm interested to read the reviews on the 100.

 

[ericykchan]

Zakharova was using Ripstick!

 

[Chairman3]

My 98 came in too !! The 100 and the 98 sure look similar. Strings provided are Prince Premier Power 16 and Prince Vortex 17, but I'll probably try something I'm more used to so I can focus on the racquet performance.

The Prince Ripstick 98 (and 100) sure are RED !! I love it. I just so happen to have the perfect overgrip for this too - a red Wilson AbsorbX !!
Funny I can find specs written anywhere on the racquet, but a QR code instructs us to scan to find them!! Interesting.

The Absorbx OG will match perfectly

 

[mhkeuns]

Can’t wait for the reviews. Beautiful red!

 

[PBODY99]

Zakharova was using Ripstick!

She used the 1st generation O3 Rip Stick last year.

 

[BBender716]

Just got my 98in in today and holy cow is this thing cool looking. Extremely red and reminds me of the Head Prestige I used to have. Excited to string it up and have a hit. Likely will string it up with BHS7T / grey Fire or maybe something Toroline...

 

[BBender716]

Looks like mine is 298sw, heftier than I thought but damn on point from a QC standpoint.

 

[OEEspino]

Ripstick 100 strung and ready to go woooo!!! Vortex in the mains at 53 and Premier in the crosses at 51

https://imgur.com/a/7x5iles

 

[mogo]

Got my Ripstick 100, in at 302 SW unstrung. Strung up it was 332, not totally over spec but lets see how it goes.

https://imgur.com/a/yzAnS65

https://imgur.com/a/fflEyDh

 

[ttgrinder]

Got it today evening. It was waiting for me when I came home in the evening after work. Luckily my tennis reservation was for the late evening, and so I had a couple of hours. So of course strung it up and had my first hit already.

I will save the detailed impressions for a later time. But it is a bold design, and you won't be keeping low-profile on court for sure. Stringing it up was easy. I already had strung O port racquets in the past, so I knew what to expect. First timers when stringing crosses at the O ports at ends, it is OK to pull the string at an angle, but before clamping you can straighten it up. But once you get the hang of it you will find it easier.

 

[LordGulbis]

Got it today evening. It was waiting for me when I came home in the evening after work. Luckily my tennis reservation was for the late evening, and so I had a couple of hours. So of course strung it up and had my first hit already.

I will save the detailed impressions for a later time. But it is a bold design, and you won't be keeping low-profile on court for sure. Stringing it up was easy. I already had strung O port racquets in the past, so I knew what to expect. First timers when stringing crosses at the O ports at ends, it is OK to pull the string at an angle, but before clamping you can straighten it up. But once you get the hang of it you will find it easier.

Any first hitting impressions?

 

[A_Instead]

Red is such a nice racket color.. I wish others would utilize it more..

 

[Cowboy]

First timers when stringing crosses at the O ports at ends, it is OK to pull the string at an angle, but before clamping you can straighten it up. But once you get the hang of it you will find it easier.

I'll get flamed for stating this publicly, but o-ports are the only frames where I utilize the lock on my stringer.

 

[ttgrinder]

I'll get flamed for stating this publicly, but o-ports are the only frames where I utilize the lock on my stringer.

Yea that works as well.

 

[ttgrinder]

Any first hitting impressions?

I was going to save it for later. But definitely "different feeling". it justifies its name, and does rip through the court. I think the thick beam and o-ports created a monster, for power and spin. So easy depth and fun to hit when rallying. But I just could not get a solid feel on the stringbed yet, and so I need to give it more time. Also I find that I probably need to come at a different angle on my slices to be more consistent. By the way, mine is the ripstick-98, and feels solid through air.

So the summary is that, it is just so different. Very fun to rally with from the first shot, but will take some time for me to get used to, to be confident.

 

[PBODY99]

I'll get flamed for stating this publicly, but o-ports are the only frames where I utilize the lock on my stringer.

Richard Parnell stated he uses the brake on his machine often, not just for ported frames when he ties off mains + crosses.

 

[Johnnyrocket]

How’s the sweet spot (+) feel of the 98??

 

[veelium]

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?

Strings break more quickly so you feel like a chad pro power hitter.

 

[mogo]

I was able to hit with the Ripstick 100 and first impressions were very good. For reference my go to stick right now is the Blade v9 16x19. I have been trying the Ultra Pro 99 as well. Specs are around the 324-326 range with with a 3-4 HL balance. I chose the 100 because it had a similar spec range of 4pts HL and 326 SW(mine is 332). I also compared the TW reviews and after hearing of the tighter Sweetspot on the 98, I opted for the larger frame.

I'm glad I went for the 100, feels solid on contact and I have good access to power. Spin is good but the highlight is the plow through. With O-Ports I feel you need to swing out to get the most out of the frame. If you don't acceleration enough the ball can die on you at times. This frame reminds me of hitting with hit the Exo 100 Tour Mp and rebel 95, loved those frames form Prince!

Currently, I have the Ripstick 100 strung at 40pds with Hyper-G 17. I have no issues with power or control. Lately I have dropped into the 40-42pd range from 47-52pds and find that Hyper-G has good snapback and control. Once the string breaks, I'll string with Votex and see how that works. I appreciate that TW sent 17 gauge!! I have a feeling that the strings will last around 4-6 hours like the Ultra Pro 99. They both have a 16x18 pattern and that allows you to flatten out the ball.

Funny story, I was at Indian Wells this year and bumped into the Prince team when they were launching the Ripstick frames. Talked to the team about the Exo frames and was able to get a shirt for the new Ripstick. Just a cool thing to be on the playtest and rep it now!

https://imgur.com/a/9vOOPjN

 

[LordGulbis]

I was able to hit with the Ripstick 100 and first impressions were very good. For reference my go to stick right now is the Blade v9 16x19. I have been trying the Ultra Pro 99 as well. Specs are around the 324-326 range with with a 3-4 HL balance. I chose the 100 because it had a similar spec range of 4pts HL and 326 SW(mine is 332). I also compared the TW reviews and after hearing of the tighter Sweetspot on the 98, I opted for the larger frame.

I'm glad I went for the 100, feels solid on contact and I have good access to power. Spin is good but the highlight is the plow through. With O-Ports I feel you need to swing out to get the most out of the frame. If you don't acceleration enough the ball can die on you at times. This frame reminds me of hitting with hit the Exo 100 Tour Mp and rebel 95, loved those frames form Prince!

Currently, I have the Ripstick 100 strung at 40pds with Hyper-G 17. I have no issues with power or control. Lately I have dropped into the 40-42pd range from 47-52pds and find that Hyper-G has good snapback and control. Once the string breaks, I'll string with Votex and see how that works. I appreciate that TW sent 17 gauge!! I have a feeling that the strings will last around 4-6 hours like the Ultra Pro 99. They both have a 16x18 pattern and that allows you to flatten out the ball.

Funny story, I was at Indian Wells this year and bumped into the Prince team when they were launching the Ripstick frames. Talked to the team about the Exo frames and was able to get a shirt for the new Ripstick. Just a cool thing to be on the playtest and rep it now!

https://imgur.com/a/9vOOPjN

Good review, how was the comfort compared to other power frames you may have tried in the past?

 

[ttgrinder]

How’s the sweet spot (+) feel of the 98??

Very large.... to the point that it is actually throwing me off... haha. Offcenter hits doesn't hurt your arm, and still gets good power and depth.

Personally I like my racquet to vibrate and feel it more when I hit offcenter. I can only imagine how the sweetspot of a 100 would be then.

 

[LordGulbis]

Very large.... to the point that it is actually throwing me off... haha. Offcenter hits doesn't hurt your arm, and still gets good power and depth.

Personally I like my racquet to vibrate and feel it more when I hit offcenter. I can only imagine how the sweetspot of a 100 would be then.

Sounds a bit like the Ezone 100 2025 with the huge sweetspot and good comfort.

 

[mogo]

Good review, how was the comfort compared to other power frames you may have tried in the past?

Comfort, currently is an 8 for me. It has only been one outing, but I hope to get more feedback after the week. Very stable and no jarring on off center hit so far.

 

[Way2Slow]

Funny I can find specs written anywhere on the racquet, but a QR code instructs us to scan to find them!! Interesting.

The specs are on the inside of the upper hoop…hard to spot, but they are there….

 

[Way2Slow]

Got my Ripstick 100 late yesterday afternoon.

Weather looked good for the morning, so strung it up last night with 17g Tour Bite Soft @ 38#.

And…..it’s raining this morning and the courts are soaked ….so bummed!

It really is a nice-looking frame. If all the red isn’t your cup of tea (and you care about that kinda thing), I toned the red down just a tad with a white overgrip….I think a black string (like the Vortex that was included) would look good and tone it down even more.
…. I’ve used Hyper-G on and off for many years, so clearly I don’t care.

 

[A_Instead]

What a sharpe looking racket..

 

[SteveI]

Never loved an O Port frame and hated to string them.

 

[jackcrawford]

Good review, how was the comfort compared to other power frames you may have tried in the past?