The Prince Phantom 93P is a gift to us from TW - My Review/AMA

[shamaho]

I played doubles this weekend, and I noticed my first serve is amazing with this stick. The second serve.. not so much. I'm having a hard time generating my kick but it could be from the two months of not serving. Is this a known thing with this frame or is it just me?

I didn't even consider this when I first got the frame since I had no issues getting good kick with my VCORE 95.

That difficulty with the kick should be resolved with technique tweak.

I use 93 and kick serve is my main serve, and I notice it suffers when out of practice and out of shape, otherwise I get a mean kick with them.

So work at it, you'll get that kick serve

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[Dartagnan64]

Forgot how much I like this racquet. Hadn't been using it the last 8 months due to elbow issues I was babying with the ported Phantom 100. Finally felt good enough to try the 93p again. Played a set of singles and noted a number of things, good and bad:

1) More demanding than the Phantom 100 (i.e. smaller sweet spot). I do have to keep my focus up.
2) Way better feeling than the Phantom 100 on solid strikes. More feedback as well.
3) Lower trajectory than the Phantom 100 takes a bit of getting used to but after getting it dialed in the slices were pretty wicked
5) Precision is improved with this racquet. I could really move my opponent around which proved crucial in the set we played
6) I could really hit out which is nice. Don't think I sailed a ball all night.
7) Can't lob as easily with this racquet for some reason

Anyway, played a set of tennis (took 45 min for one set as every game but 2 went to deuce). Was down 2-4 but came back to win 6-4 largely because my opponent ran out of steam. I used the precision of the 93p to keep him pinned to his BH corner which was a weak defensive stroke for him. If he ran around it, I went to the opposite corner, then back to his BH. After 7 games he pooped out and he started trying to end points sooner. The ensuing UE's led me to victory.

And my arm feels good so I'm going to use that racquet some more.

 

[PrinceYonex]

I played doubles this weekend, and I noticed my first serve is amazing with this stick. The second serve.. not so much. I'm having a hard time generating my kick but it could be from the two months of not serving. Is this a known thing with this frame or is it just me?

I didn't even consider this when I first got the frame since I had no issues getting good kick with my VCORE 95.

What is your string set up? The 93p has a very dense 18/20 set up. I found that with thicker string gauges, I also would struggle to get my kick serves rolling in, but that with thinner gauges (1.20 or thinner) and tensions in the mid to lower 40s, I had no problems.

 

[mb3182]

Got my first 93P, yesterday, strung with Tecnifibre Ice Code 1.20 at 50lbs/48lbs. First spin tomorrow morning after almost 3 months without tennis due to the pandemic.

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[tim-ay]

Thanks for the feedback. It confirms what I was thinking as well. I'll give it a pass and try the 14x19 instead. Prince doesn't like to do 16x19 is it? Coming from the PS line, I don't fully understand the rationale behind these bipolar options.

I’ve hit with the 14x18 along with the 18x20. I still prefer the 18x20, but agree they really went bipolar. It took me a few sessions to get used to the 14x18- it’s a big difference. String changes could probably get them closer.

I can switch between my six ones and the 18x20 without a lot of adjustment so I didn’t pursue the 14x18 beyond a week play test. It was too dramatic. But I understand the appeal. Definitely has more power and feels fantastic. Let us know what you think if you hit with it. Maybe I’ll have to take a look at it again..... the six ones are still my “ in battle “ frames but the 93p’s are really sweet.


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[TennisHound]

The 14x18 is good until the strings loosen, then it’s unwieldy (at least it was for me). I would imagine 15L string would work fine in it.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Got my first 93P, yesterday, strung with Tecnifibre Ice Code 1.20 at 50lbs/48lbs. First spin tomorrow morning after almost 3 months without tennis due to the pandemic.

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If you find it to "boardy" consider tensions closer to 40-45 lbs. I find you can go really low with most poly's.

 

[tim-ay]

The 14x18 is good until the strings loosen, then it’s unwieldy (at least it was for me). I would imagine 15L string would work fine in it.

That sounds right to me. I have some 16 trionic leftover in a reel that I thought would be good in that frame, but didn’t try it. The edges on that are big enough it feels like a 15l. That stuff isn’t going anywhere near the 18x20. Ha. Or my six ones.


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[mb3182]

If you find it to "boardy" consider tensions closer to 40-45 lbs. I find you can go really low with most poly's.

Thanks @Dartagnan64
i didn't know what to expect so I went 2 lbs lower than my usual tension (in a 98in tho) and put a 1.2 instead of a 1.25. If I lack power I'll definitely drop to 45lbs.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Thanks @Dartagnan64
i didn't know what to expect so I went 2 lbs lower than my usual tension (in a 98in tho) and put a 1.2 instead of a 1.25. If I lack power I'll definitely drop to 45lbs.

It took me about 3 stringings to realize this so i like to share because it makes a big difference. Started at around 54 lbs, then 50, then 45, then 42. Got better each time.

 

[Power Player]

Lol! Lets not get crazy. The p93 is a beast.

 

[mb3182]

It took me about 3 stringings to realize this so i like to share because it makes a big difference. Started at around 54 lbs, then 50, then 45, then 42. Got better each time.

Was actually not bad with 50/48. Maybe I could go 2lbs lower for more pop but not much lower. I like the directional control I got with this tension. I guess the fact it's a thin gauge helped a bit. Tho the Ice Code is not the most spin friendly string out there. Might switch to a shaped poly next time.

 

[Power Player]

Was actually not bad with 50/48. Maybe I could go 2lbs lower for more pop but not much lower. I like the directional control I got with this tension. I guess the fact it's a thin gauge helped a bit. Tho the Ice Code is not the most spin friendly string out there. Might switch to a shaped poly next time.

I string mine at 44#s and the control is still there in the 18x20.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Was actually not bad with 50/48. Maybe I could go 2lbs lower for more pop but not much lower. I like the directional control I got with this tension. I guess the fact it's a thin gauge helped a bit. Tho the Ice Code is not the most spin friendly string out there. Might switch to a shaped poly next time.

Its hard to lose directional control at any tension in that frame. Big thing at lower tensions was a bit higher launch which I found helped depth.

 

[mhkeuns]

Yup. I’ve been stringing my other lower powered mids near low 40’s because of the experience with the 93P. I still think the 93P is the easiest to use midsize frame in the market, even compared to other great mids like the Prestige Mid and Powerbridge 10. I’ve been loving the flex of the Rossignol F200 & a slightly firmer F250 recently, but the 93P is a way more effective frame compared to those two.

 

[max]

I've got a Rossy 200, and it flexs beauty, but so heavy!

 

[Dartagnan64]

Really enjoying getting back hitting my 93P. Using it for singles play and then pulling out the 100 18x20 for doubles play. Baseline game is better with the 93P but my new game is better with the 100 18x20.

But the 93P still is the nicest balanced frame I've hit with. I'm wondering if the more recent models are equally nice? Is there a side to side comparison between the original 93P and the 2019 model?

 

[mad dog1]

Really enjoying getting back hitting my 93P. Using it for singles play and then pulling out the 100 18x20 for doubles play. Baseline game is better with the 93P but my new game is better with the 100 18x20.

But the 93P still is the nicest balanced frame I've hit with. I'm wondering if the more recent models are equally nice? Is there a side to side comparison between the original 93P and the 2019 model?

Try the new head 360+ prestige mid and report back.

 

[Dartagnan64]

Try the new head 360+ prestige mid and report back.

I doubt I'll try anything until this whole coronavirus thing settles down. But I would like to demo that frame to see how it compares to the Prince. Haven't liked a Head in awhile.

 

[J011yroger]

I doubt I'll try anything until this whole coronavirus thing settles down. But I would like to demo that frame to see how it compares to the Prince. Haven't liked a Head in awhile.

Head on over to my most excellent thread.

J

 

[mad dog1]

I doubt I'll try anything until this whole coronavirus thing settles down. But I would like to demo that frame to see how it compares to the Prince. Haven't liked a Head in awhile.

@Power Player was singing a similar tune before he gave in to the temptation. Now that he’s gone to the other side, he ain’t coming back.

 

[tim-ay]

@Dartagnan64 have you not seen this?

That 93p is thinking “go on beatch, finish that beer! I’m drinking juicies only tonight.... after you take down the third or fourth of that swill you’re drinking, I’m gonna be on ur arse like a spider monkey”


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[Power Player]

@Power Player was singing a similar tune before he gave in to the temptation. Now that he’s gone to the other side, he ain’t coming back.

Man dont pull me into this, lol. I was hitting the wall with my p93 today.

 

[mad dog1]

Man dont pull me into this, lol. I was hitting the wall with my p93 today.

@J011yroger was the one who involved me, bud. I wanted no part either.

 

[Tommy Haas]

I'm surprised that the 93P still has a following and hasn't moved onto the PT 2.0 or other sticks. Then again the 93P is unique and I'm still using the original and have no idea what the two updated models that came after that are like. There wasn't a need to see. If there are any PT 2.0 and OG 93P users, can you comment on the feelings of flex between the two? So I have a frame of reference.

I know what the original PT280 and Radical PT57A's feel like. Where you can feel the flex at the throat. The 93P is comfortable, but there's no noticeable throat flex, so maybe they're not so different. Modern consumer racquets disfavor throat flex now for some reason. The last one that really flexed at the throat was the Yonex Ezone Ai98.

 

[PrinceYonex]

I'm surprised that the 93P still has a following and hasn't moved onto the PT 2.0 or other sticks. Then again the 93P is unique and I'm still using the original and have no idea what the two updated models that came after that are like. There wasn't a need to see. If there are any PT 2.0 and OG 93P users, can you comment on the feelings of flex between the two? So I have a frame of reference.

I know what the original PT280 and Radical PT57A's feel like. Where you can feel the flex at the throat. The 93P is comfortable, but there's no noticeable throat flex, so maybe they're not so different. Modern consumer racquets disfavor throat flex now for some reason. The last one that really flexed at the throat was the Yonex Ezone Ai98.

The PT2.0 feels completely different than the 93p. It’s easier to feel the 93p flex on contact. The PT2.0 has noticeably more weight in the hoop, is significantly less head light, plays with a crisper feel.


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[mb3182]

I

Its hard to lose directional control at any tension in that frame. Big thing at lower tensions was a bit higher launch which I found helped depth.

I have a set of Solinco Revolution 1.15 that I bought during a clearance sale. I'll put it on the 93P at 44lbs next time. I'm not usually a string breaker so it should last few sessions.

 

[J011yroger]

I'm surprised that the 93P still has a following and hasn't moved onto the PT 2.0 or other sticks. Then again the 93P is unique and I'm still using the original and have no idea what the two updated models that came after that are like. There wasn't a need to see. If there are any PT 2.0 and OG 93P users, can you comment on the feelings of flex between the two? So I have a frame of reference.

I know what the original PT280 and Radical PT57A's feel like. Where you can feel the flex at the throat. The 93P is comfortable, but there's no noticeable throat flex, so maybe they're not so different. Modern consumer racquets disfavor throat flex now for some reason. The last one that really flexed at the throat was the Yonex Ezone Ai98.

Vcore 95 flexes just above the pallet. Feels broken.

J

 

[Tommy Haas]

Vcore 95 flexes just above the pallet. Feels broken.

Maybe it is. I had an original burgundy Prestige Classic mid with a cracked pallet collar or whatever that plastic piece was called that joined the hairpin of the frame to the grip pallet and it felt like hitting a tennis ball with a broken tree branch.

 

[1stVolley]

Just a counter opinion here--remember a tennis racquet choice is a personal thing. I demoed the 93P (14 x 18) twice and didn't find anything super about it except its maneuverability while serving. I gave it to one of my club pros and he didn't like it at all, saying it was like hitting with a log. I'm also not a Prince Phantom line devotee, not liking the feel of their thin beam construction, although I'm a fan of the Head Gravity Pro (also a thin, 20mm beam racquet). I currently play with the Prince TT 310 and find it a more solid and balanced racquet.

There are so many variables regarding how a frame plays for a given person--string choice and tension, player's technique, whether an overgrip is used (and amount of the overgrip cushioning) and even the pace of one's opponent's shots. A light racquet which works well for many players may not work so well against a heavy hitting opponent.

So, no matter the glowing reviews, don't commit to a racquet before a good demo,if possible.

 

[Dartagnan64]

I'm surprised that the 93P still has a following and hasn't moved onto the PT 2.0 or other sticks.

Had a real good session with the 93P this am. Such a great stick to play well with. Couldn't play my usual men's doubles as it was raining and our club only allows singles play on indoor courts. So our 4some played some round robin Fast4 singles. We are all pretty evenly matched players but I was able to win all 3 sets wielding my trusty 93P against a Wilson Ultra, Wilson Clash and a Head Extreme.

Proud to take down the "easy mode" tweeners with a combination of precision and variety. Kept my eye on the ball and just let her rip and trusted the low power frame and 18x20 string bed to keep the balls going exactly where I wanted them. Admittedly all 3 guys I know well and I know their weaknesses. 2 guys have weak BH's so i spent 2 sets pinning them to their BH until I got a short ball to fire a CC winner with. Beat them 4-0.

The 3rd guy hits well off both wings and serves big, but doesn't like the balls out of his strike zone and tends to airmail the high balls to his BH and the low balls to his FH. So I looped topspin to his BH and sliced low to his FH as much as possible. Fell down early but he got increasingly frustrated with what I was throwing at him and the UE's showed up. Won 4-3 in a tiebreak.

So even a 55 year old rec player can wield the 93P and win sets against the modern tweeners. Interesting thing is how comfortable I was slinging darts from the baseline. I rarely needed to get to the net to finish a point. Deep shots to the corners, get them on the defensive and wait for the error or the midcourt ball I could put away.

 

[shamaho]

The 3rd guy hits well off both wings and serves big, but doesn't like the balls out of his strike zone and tends to airmail the high balls to his BH and the low balls to his FH. So I looped topspin to his BH and sliced low to his FH as much as possible. Fell down early but he got increasingly frustrated with what I was throwing at him and the UE's showed up. Won 4-3 in a tiebreak.

So even a 55 year old rec player can wield the 93P and win sets against the modern tweeners. Interesting thing is how comfortable I was slinging darts from the baseline. I rarely needed to get to the net to finish a point. Deep shots to the corners, get them on the defensive and wait for the error or the midcourt ball I could put away.

ahah loved your cold tactical approach ! very nice

Just the over day I got the comment that "I barely moved my arm" and they were 8 feet back from baseline, reaching for balls above their head level...
Thats technique and low tension on a hefty 93 doing its thing...

 

[Dartagnan64]

ahah loved your cold tactical approach ! very nice

Just the over day I got the comment that "I barely moved my arm" and they were 8 feet back from baseline, reaching for balls above their head level...
Thats technique and low tension on a hefty 93 doing its thing...

I have a pretty compact stroke as well and feel really comfortable forcing people back deep with this racquet.

 

[CiscoPC600]

I really liked this stick (18x20) for first serves, forehands, and volleys but couldn't make it work for my backhand or second serve. Guess I gotta sell it for cheap now haha. Too bad because this is my favorite PJ of all current rackets.

 

[mad dog1]

I really liked this stick (18x20) for first serves, forehands, and volleys but couldn't make it work for my backhand or second serve. Guess I gotta sell it for cheap now haha. Too bad because this is my favorite PJ of all current rackets.

Time to try the 360+ prestige mid *cough* *cough*

 

[J011yroger]

*cough* *cough*

Uh oh...

J

 

[Dartagnan64]

I really liked this stick (18x20) for first serves, forehands, and volleys but couldn't make it work for my backhand or second serve. Guess I gotta sell it for cheap now haha. Too bad because this is my favorite PJ of all current rackets.

I've only just started to groove my 2HBH with this racket. Slice BH was always fabulous. A more Djokovician takeback has helped. My second serve sucks with all my racquets lol.

But I'd agree the FH and the first serve are it's strengths. Punch and touch volleys also but reflex volleys not so much.

 

[TheFlash26]

I picked up Cisco's stick (thanks for the great transaction) and played a few times with the ALU rough at 48lbs that was in it. Really liked it, but wanted to soften the string bed even more. I'm now two sessions in with Grapplesnake's Tour Sniper at 43lbs full bed and it feels even better. I agree that second serves have been a bit more challenging, but my overall game is loving this stick even more than my vcore 89.

I'm finally able to try out a Volkl C10 pro which has very simliar weight and balance in a slightly larger head size. We'll see how that goes in comparison.

 

[jonestim]

Looking at the posts - there were over 3700 on the old version.

New version comes out and it's crickets. Just over 100 posts, and half of those are about the old version.

Did everyone:

• buy the old version for their bag, but because it isn't our "main" racquet we don't upgrade?
• run out of things to say?
• try the new one and decide it's not enough of a change?
• try the new one and decide it's lost the magic?
• move on to the Prestige Mid?

I'm in camp 1. I still have the old one in my bag, but only hit with it once a month or so.

 

[Power Player]

I still have 2 of the OG P93s.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I've got the old one and I'm not willing to pay full price to try the new one... so if it goes down in price or I find a new one in great shape for sale... I might look to try it or acquire another one.

 

[pico]

I've got the old one and I'm not willing to pay full price to try the new one... so if it goes down in price or I find a new one in great shape for sale... I might look to try it or acquire another one.

Is the old one the 14 x 18?

 

[taylor15]

Still own one of the OGs though my cousin has been hitting it for a few months now.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Is the old one the 14 x 18?

It is an 18x20... I think 14x18 would be too open... if they made a 16x20 maybe I would have tried it over the 18x20, but as is the 18x20 plays great. I have modified it with weight in the head and handle though.

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Looking at the posts - there were over 3700 on the old version.

New version comes out and it's crickets. Just over 100 posts, and half of those are about the old version.

Did everyone:

• buy the old version for their bag, but because it isn't our "main" racquet we don't upgrade?
• run out of things to say?
• try the new one and decide it's not enough of a change?
• try the new one and decide it's lost the magic?
• move on to the Prestige Mid?

I'm in camp 1. I still have the old one in my bag, but only hit with it once a month or so.

I have a couple of the old ones (18×20). I really like it, but it took a bit of tinkering to find the specs that worked for me.

The biggest pro is that this a great control racquet. Biggest downside is that it's not very forgiving, even if it improves a lot with a higher twistweight.

 

[pico]

I really like my new 93p but its too soft for me. I hit well with it but prefer a more stiffer feel. I suppose one way of stiffening it is to use stiffer strings. Any other ways?

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I really like my new 93p but its too soft for me. I hit well with it but prefer a more stiffer feel. I suppose one way of stiffening it is to use stiffer strings. Any other ways?

Tighter tension and thicker gauge strings

 

[shamaho]

• try the new one and decide it's not enough of a change?
• try the new one and decide it's lost the magic?

imho there's an issue with the above two bullets.

If someone has the old versions, assuming it's working, why would they buy additional sticks ? or even move to them new version ? Does anybody really consider an upgrade expecting that much of a change ?

I certainly don't update models just because they're out... I'm still using the original PS97 and see no need to update, difference cannot be that much between models.

if one is expecting that much change from an updated model.... they're using the wrong stick.... that's immho

So my contention is... the target player population for that particular model is more or less exhausted (selling capacity wise) - thus less talk about it.

 

[Kjaxin]

Looking at the posts - there were over 3700 on the old version.

New version comes out and it's crickets. Just over 100 posts, and half of those are about the old version.

Did everyone:

• buy the old version for their bag, but because it isn't our "main" racquet we don't upgrade?
• run out of things to say?
• try the new one and decide it's not enough of a change?
• try the new one and decide it's lost the magic?
• move on to the Prestige Mid?

I'm in camp 1. I still have the old one in my bag, but only hit with it once a month or so.

I have 2 "OG's" as daily drivers. I use Gamma AMP Jet 18g in both one has 17g kevlar in the crosses (for a little more bite). Occasionally I will swing other frames but not for match play. No reason to try the new 93p frame unless my income becomes more disposable. I doubt the "update" would make much difference anyway. I almost pulled the trigger on the Cilich frame (old version) when it was on clearance but only because it was a good deal. Dad always said "it's only a good deal if you need it".

 

[THE FIGHTER]

After demoing the 93p 14x18 a while back, ive decided to switch to this racquet, moving away from the 100p 16x18. Bought two relatively similar 93ps—both within 3 grams of the asvertised stock weight with slightly differing balances. Managed to match them, but one feels a bit more polarized.

My 100p was around 369 grams, very headlight. With the 93p, ive decided to slowly build up the weight closer to what I had with the 100p, but with the goal to “find” the best weight for it and not automatically default to the 369 grams that I’m used to. Tonight, the 93ps were around 344-45 grams.

Anyway, first time hitting tonight. I was able to swing away more freely on ground strokes—forehand felt faster through the air and the more access to spin on the backhand. I felt I was also able to go for more on the serve as well. The feel was great, deft touch with this stick from all areas of the service box. Granted, I had trouble timing my shots at times and I wasnt getting as penetrating of a shot on both serves and groundies, this is likely due to the weight difference.

All in all, happy so far with the transition. Happy I’m able to swing out from everywhere.Looking forward to finding the right weight and balance for these sticks.