Here is something interesting! A Twistpower racquet from Prince with a player spec! Introducing the Prince Twistpower X97 Tour.
I have yet not tried the Prince Twistpower 100, with its interesting twisted shaft, but here is something that I think is more in line with the specs I usually like: the Prince Twistpower X97 Tour.
Specs of the Prince Twistpower X97 Tour
These specs are from Tennis Warehouse. If you buy this racquet from them or anything else, I get a small commission at no cost to you, but I can’t say whether that’s a good idea or not in regards to this racquet because I haven’t tried it! :)
| Head Size:97 in / 625.81 cm | ||||
| Length:27in / 68.58cm | ||||
| Strung Weight:11.4oz / 323g | ||||
| Balance:12.59in / 31.98cm / 7 pts HL | ||||
| Swingweight:321 | ||||
| Stiffness:66 | ||||
| Beam Width:23mm / 23mm / 19mm | ||||
| Composition:Graphite | ||||
| Power Level:Low-Medium | ||||
| Stroke Style:Medium-Full | ||||
| Swing Speed:Medium-Fast | ||||
| Racquet Colors:Black | ||||
| Grip Type:Prince Synthetic | ||||
String Pattern:
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| String Tension:45-55 pounds |
Looking at the specs, this looks like Prince’s reply to the Wilson Pro Staff 97. What’s different, besides the twisted shaft is the thicker beam in places and the lower weight (305g unstrung vs 315). Prince says this about the technologies inside: “the twisted shaft helps the racquet bend optimally at impact. Triple Tube Technology involves a foam infusion in key locations in order to give the racquet a more solid and powerful feel.”
Triple Tube? Twin Tube? If you’re a racquet nerd you get excited by the legendary tech that is TwinTube in old HEAD racquets. But this sounds like something different though.
Prince are thinking outside the box
I like Prince’s approach to racquets in recent years (but also as a part of their brand heritage). Racquets like Ripstick and Synergy with 18×18 pattern shows that they’re trying something new. It’s a breath of fresh air for sure!
The Twistpower is another racquet that brings something new to the table. I’m very curious about how it plays and hope to get a demo at some point soon.
Let me know if you’ve played with this one and what you think about it!
7 comments
https://princetennis.jp/product-category/tennis/tennis-racket/tennis-racket-x
Can you open this site?
If it is the same as a Japanese racket, I think this site will be helpful.
In Japan, there are right-handed and left-handed ones.
Love the channel
Do you know if this racket is going to be available in Uk / Europe?
Thank you
I don’t know, but will check!
Review coming anytime soon?
I still haven’t managed to get a hold of one.
I thought I read somewhere there are right and left handed versions, is this true?
I have used this racquet for six months. First with polypro tour (yellow) then NRG, then Biphase. Now using Triax.
It hits solid, slightly muted (there is feel but no twinging vibration) reasonable top spin and has great access to pace. Backhand both 1 and 2 are very solid and connected and the feel inspires confidence for long cross court bh or high angle shorts out the side.
Forehand is sweet and accurate down the line or with depth across court. Speed change ups are easily handled and the pattern let’s you brush the ball short or deep and to spin it with wrist or solid arm movements. Volleys are stable. Serve is good, maybe a bit headlight in stock form so not as powerful, but still some spin can be found for kicks etc…
By way of comparison, this stick replaced my phantom 100g (soft feel and fun for trick shots but not stable against heavy hitters). I have since used blade v8 18×20 (felt hollow and flat), vcore Pro HD 97 (wayy to heavy and difficult for me), blade v716x19 (hollow feel and light in the tip, it feels plasticy but had more feedback), PSv13 (too stiff and caused pain in my wrist, as well as a bit under powered but felt very connected) and Ultra Tour v2 (very underpowered but softer feel and less muted feel, however plays flat and lower tension splays shots but gives power and feel). All in all I like the Ultra feel slightly more but I don’t win games. The Twistpower has survived as go to racquet.. When I am down with the Ultra the Twistpower will bring me back on points due to accuracy, pace, and playability on the ball (spins, drops, side outs) despite a slightly more controlled serve.
Currently I am sting at 52x50lbs and the Triax took four hours to break in. I play intermediate level tennis three times (five hours) a week against friends who played or play club level and can hold my own. I would recommend this racquet if you like partial feel (maybe like cold butter on the “buttery” scale.). I have zero regrets with my purchase and also have found Triax worth the cost and quite durable. I play in temperate climates (Singapore). I have only an overgrip and no lead. This racquet is a sleeper in my opinion (it gets much less attention than it should) and is a good buy.