I don't think this frame would be awesome fun if you couldn't play 5.0+ players with it.
The Prince Phantom 93P is a gift to us from TW - My Review/AMA
- Thread starter Power Player
- Start date
I'm a regular 93p user and had a chance to try out the Clash tour. I still feel my 93p at 42lbs poly is more comfortable and controllable than the Clash at 55lbs poly. The Clash certainly had a bigger sweet spot and spin potential so certain parts of my game would improve, but overall the 93p is still my preferred choice. Going to a thicker beam is really hard once you're used to the thin beam. The Clash experience is hard to describe...it's like an Aeropro Drive infused with wood.
^^ I’m a 4.5, and i was a little skeptical at first that I’d be able to hang against 4.5’s and 5.0’s in 9.0 mixed this season - particularly from the baseline. Turned out to be no problem at all. Actually most of my opponents have been cursing my name - I haven’t lost a usta match since I made the switch.
Regular Clash
That’s exactly it. My serves and aggressive FHs led to my turnaround with it.
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
It’s nice to see so many others say they can play higher level tennis with it. That was the “Am I crazy” question for me when I got this thing. I thought for sure it was a honeymoon or something like that, but nope.
I still have my PA+s just because for a year I kept thinking I’d crack and need them, but it has never happened.
The PA+ IMO, is one of the greatest tweeners ever (only weakness is the pattern is a little too open) so I’ll probably always keep them, but the P93 has been my choice every time since I received mine.
A frame I switch between now and then when hitting is my PT280. I just really like that frame and it is fun to compare the feel of it to the P93. I think in many ways they are similar, but the P93 is a little easier for me to use.
I still have my PA+s just because for a year I kept thinking I’d crack and need them, but it has never happened.
The PA+ IMO, is one of the greatest tweeners ever (only weakness is the pattern is a little too open) so I’ll probably always keep them, but the P93 has been my choice every time since I received mine.
A frame I switch between now and then when hitting is my PT280. I just really like that frame and it is fun to compare the feel of it to the P93. I think in many ways they are similar, but the P93 is a little easier for me to use.
I actually get annoyed when partners want me to try their racquets now. I have zero racqaholic aspirations. May even stop messing around with tensions and strings and just commit to full poly at 42. I'm playing my best tennis w that setup and everything else is more or less a distraction.
Black poly, black overgrip. Done.
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
Same. I do the same thing. Poly at 42. Been using the RS Lyon for years now. I am, more focused on my footwork and fitness than anything. And of course always working to get my serve better.
Nice. I will definitely try Lyon. Have Prince XP at 42 18g. Which gauge are you using? Do you also use a black overgrip? It looks so bad ass.
After 2 hours I really need to focus on bending my knees or I start dumping shots into the net
Edit: does lyon only come in 17g? Looking for it now
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Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
I use a white one mainly because I prefer the feel of them. I tried black before and it was never the same, but down here it gets super humid so I have to be a bit picky about grips.
I use 1.25 Lyon. No net clearance issues if you keep the tension low. I am not a fan of skimming the net, so this is a big issue for me as well.
spinerella
New User
Where would you place lead on the 93P and how much?
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
I wouldnt. Its balanced so well as it is.
If you want to place lead you probably should already know the weight and balance you want. For example, anton weighted his. But i think he had a clear idea of what he wanted when he did it.
I don't weight mine either.
Just ordered some RS Lyon... and a set of ashaway crossfire zx just to see what's up with it.
haqq777
Legend
TW has it in 17L (1.20) too. I got a bunch of that from them. Also have the 1.25 reels which I ordered from Europe. Both play equally well in my opinion. I like the 1.20 for denser patterns a bit more but no issues with 1.25 either. No complaints. I think it is just a fantastic string overall.
Nice, I actually did order the 17L. Very much looking forward to trying this out.TW has it in 17L (1.20) too. I got a bunch of that from them. Also have the 1.25 reels which I ordered from Europe. Both play equally well in my opinion. I like the 1.20 for denser patterns a bit more but no issues with 1.25 either. No complaints. I think it is just a fantastic string overall.
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
Does the 1.20 hold tension as well? I am intrigued. I use the 1.25 just because it works in anything, but 1.20 in a tight pattern makes sense.
Dartagnan64
Legend
Its funny that the 3.5-4.0 players worry it’s too demanding a racket for their skill level and the 4.5-5.0’s worry it’s too demanding a racket for their opponents.
It’s a 93 that plays more like a 95-97. If you can play with a smaller Midplus you can play with a 93p. It’s not really a hard racket to play with.
shamaho
Semi-Pro
why ?
you have plenty sticks where the original DNA for this one came from ... so .. why ? 
tigonian02
New User
I wish TW will hurry up and release these for demo...been waiting patiently
TennisHound
Legend
And they shouldn’t. Just buy it
haqq777
Legend
Yep, no issues with tension maintenance for me. Will definitely recommend trying it. Same 1.25 traits in a very slightly more crisper feeling stringbed. I was hesitant about playability and tension holding when I was getting the 1.20 a while back too and TW guys told me the same thing so I took the plunge (plus it was on a great sale price).
haqq777
Legend
Nice. And wow, is it me or does that look to be very open spacing? Any 14x18 fans can chime in?I forgot who asked, someone wanted string spacing between mains
graycrait
Hall of Fame
You are right. I should just let this rest. But you did cause me to get out my digital calipers. And I came to a startling discovery. All my straight beamed 14 x18s from the 1980s, i.e., the POG 90s in their variations, Spectrum Comp 90, Advance Response 90, Graphite Comp 90, Power Pro 90 are all 19.something mm from grip to tip. The Graphite Pro 90 is a full millimeter narrower than these others. I have multiples of most and checked. Maybe that is why I liked the Graphite Pro 90's so much from an intuitive standpoint. Maybe I "need" a 93P with its 20/18/16mm taper!
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
Sale price? I will need to keep my eyes peeled. Makes great sense as a string in this frame.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Ok so i hit with the 93P today and was blown away. I can hit with gobs of spin with this thing. It's crazy. Thin beam, smaller head, just makes everything easier. All my kick serve issues disappeared. Serving is so effortless. All i need is racquet head speed and the stick does the rest. On groundies I was overhitting a bit as I'm not used to having so much time. I put the same 19g Cyclone Tour at 40 as my RF97's and IMO the power drop off was minimum. I agree the 93P plays like a much bigger stick, and the mass and plow are exceptional. I don't need any mods at all. The only thing that was better with my RF97 was my backhand slice, because of the mass of the RF97.
This just became my new main stick. I had serving issues with my RF97, but all other areas were excellent. Kick serves with the 93P are so freaking easy. Serving IMO is the most important stroke in tennis and the improvement for me with the 93P makes the switch definitely worthwhile. I'll have to see if this new excitement wears off because i'm definitely a racquetholic.
I'll see if i can win matches with the 93P, cus it's definitely gobs of fun to play with.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Oh i was back at the tennis shop today and there was a Babolat rep. I told him about the 93P and he laughed, "oh this thing, you probably have an old car that you have to roll your windows up by hand".
Also a Head rep exclaimed, "oh no one can play with those things!!"
Are we all that good or do the majority of players stink?
Also a Head rep exclaimed, "oh no one can play with those things!!"
Are we all that good or do the majority of players stink?
TennisHound
Legend
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Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
Lol. Thats hilarious. Those guys are reps tho. They will say that and then a year later make their own version of it and tell you its the best frame ever.
This frame is just a lot easier to use than people expect.
graycrait
Hall of Fame
I understand that statement. I went to PSYOP school.
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
Awesome story! I was also a racketaholic, but the 93P stopped all that. Just love everything about it. Everyone talks about how nicely it plays, but it also looks really nice. The thin beam is so sexy and just so nice to hold. I no longer have the desire to look at other frames.
Hope you enjoy!
Is anybody going to keep one of each string pattern in their bag? I’ve thought about it since the specs are almost identical between the two.
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Dartagnan64
Legend
Well they just inflated my ego, lol.
So far at the club, the 93p is like “our little secret”. Everyone wonders why my FH is so much better and how I can place my serves so well. I tell them it’s regular practice. Let the reps and club members have their Babolats, Heads and Wilson’s. I’ll just keep using my little old 93p.
What type of fh do you play, spinny or flat? Eastern or sw?
Thank you!
mhkeuns
Hall of Fame
I’m going to demo the 14x18 as soon as the demos are available. I think, though, I will be stocking up on the original 18x20.
Dartagnan64
Legend
semi western and sort of between flat and spinny. Don't go for huge topspin but enough to hit out and keep the ball in play.
tigonian02
New User
14x18 our for demo now
hescobal
Rookie
Compared to the mains on my ezone 98, the spacing is about 2.5mm wider on the 93p. If you want, I can string up a 105 ESP and compare the string spacing on it to the 93P
Anton
Legend
Yes, I can compete with all three. I'm sticking with DR98 because I just really like the idea of playing with as much spin as I can, but if I had to pick between RF97 and 93P I'd probably go with the later due to more comfort and control. Playing RF97 sometimes feels like an all-in affair.
But just so we are clear, I'm talking about a beefed up 93P, not stock.
flanker2000fr
Professional
Will be really interested in learning how long your 17g strings lasted in a 14x18 pattern. My Hyper G 17 lasted only 8 hours in a PP100P 16x18 before breaking vs. 12 hours in a 93P 18x20 (where it doesn't break, but I have it cut as it's gone dead).
Power Player
Talk Tennis Guru
I was reading TennisNerd’s site and based on his classifications of players, I am an attacking player. That makes sense since even though I can sit back on the baseline and fire off topspin with my more extreme grip, I tend to set up points and go for a big shot and crash the net behind it.
For this style of play he had a tighter pattern and 95 size head recommended, so this may be another reason I find the 93P to be such a great fit for me.
For this style of play he had a tighter pattern and 95 size head recommended, so this may be another reason I find the 93P to be such a great fit for me.
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Because of the specs i think the 93P makes you attack more, no matter what style you naturally play.........................which to me is as good as it gets. It makes me a little reckless like Wawrinka. At times when pulled out of position where i would normally slice i now try to rip an outright winner. It gives you the confidence of, oh yeah i can make this. And that is so much fun. Reminds me of the PS85 in that way. I also love that it is not too flexy and that it doesn't have that annoying delayed flutter that so many flexible frames have. I think the 93P is an easier to use K90 without sacrificing any stability or plow. Swinging it makes me wonder how or why i was logging the RF97 around. This sentiment may fade but swinging this thin beam really gets in your head. Does the effort required for me to use the RF97 really pay big enough dividends to warrant doing so? I play great with the RF97, It's a magic wand in my hand but what's holding my serve back is probably fatigue from ripping groundies. I was surprised at how close the specs of the 93P were to the RF97. The biggest difference being beam thickness and headsize. I mean Prince really did their homework on this frame. I really have to tip the hat to them. I mean they just got everything right. The balance, the swingweight, the beam thickness, etc. How often are we given almost perfect frames that have to be heavily modded? This stick needs nothing.
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BulldogLouisiana
Rookie
Hi everyone,
I really like my 93P, but I think I might have it strung a little tight. I see lots of recommendations for it to be strung between 42-46lbs, but would that also apply to using multi string? Currently, I use Technifibre Multifeel 17. I've had issues in the past with TE, so I prefer to stay away from poly. Any advice is appreciated.
I really like my 93P, but I think I might have it strung a little tight. I see lots of recommendations for it to be strung between 42-46lbs, but would that also apply to using multi string? Currently, I use Technifibre Multifeel 17. I've had issues in the past with TE, so I prefer to stay away from poly. Any advice is appreciated.
Dartagnan64
Legend
I think you could string Multifeel around 50 and still have control and not too much power.
I'm a TE veteran myself and I started with Origin/Velocity hybrid in this frame which was fine but I thought it could use a little more spin. So I put gut in the mains with Cream poly crosses. That's a really good combo for TE sufferers. Very plush yet more spin friendly than O/V or a full bed multi. I'd highly recommend it if you are afraid of full poly string beds.
I'm going to be trying ghostwire crosses as well in the near future. Another very soft smooth poly cross.