textreme series

Update: I have one for sale right now – e-mail helloATtennisnerd.net or comment if you're interested. 100 euro with shipping included anywhere in the world. Cheers / J

So I've been playing with this racquet for a few months and I have to say it's a pure joy to hit with. I thought it would make sense to write a little review about this modern yet classical players' frame.

The TexTreme line has been well reviewed across the board. Is it something in the material? What is TexTreme really? I've borrowed this explanation from the TeXtreme website:

WHAT IS TEXTREME^®

TeXtreme^® is a composite material technology and is mainly produced using carbon fiber yarns that we first spread into tapes and that we then weave in various ways to give it different benefits.

TeXtreme^® carbon fiber reinforcements is used in a large number of sports and competitions such as: Formula 1, Americas Cup, NASCAR, IndyCar, Le Mans, Bicycles, Ice Hockey, Surfing, Motorcycle, Rowing Shells, Golf, Tennis, Skis, and Snowboards. Alongside the Sporting Goods industry TeXtreme^® is also used in a wide variety of Aerospace and Industrial applications.

Does it work? I don't know but the racquet is remarkably stable yet arm-friendly. Talking about arm-friendliness – I think Prince has always focused on quite flexible and elbow-friendly racquets and although the teXtreme line has higher RA ratings, the racquets still seem comfortable and that's definitely the case with the Prince teXtreme Tour 95.

The specs are inviting to players who are serious about their tennis:

What they have changed from the previous Tour 95 series (besides the addition of the teXtreme material), is the string pattern, from a tight 18×20 to a more open and spin-friendly 16×19. I think this really benefits the racquet and opens up the sweet spot. I played with the previous Tour 95 a bit and I definitely believe this edition is more stable and less prone to twisting on off-center shots. I especially notice it on my one-handed backhand.

Mentioning the sweet spot, I think a lot of amateur players are concerned about mid-size racquets. Will they mishit the ball more?

There are a few pro's and cons with 95 inches:

+ Easier to swing and get through the air
+ Better control
– Smaller sweet spot
– Less powerful

I prefer the 95 inch since I'm not bothered by a small sweet spot or a lack of power – but if you are, I would suggest you look at the Prince teXtreme 100P instead which is used on tour by French player Lucas Pouille.

More advanced players might ask: Is the 335 grams strung enough to face heavy balls? I think partly, yes, but I really feel the racquet benefits from a little lead at 3 and 9 and some blue/white tack in the handle. Just to add around 8-12 grams and get it closer to 345-350 grams. This is of course a personal preference. The racquet is very good also un-customized, but I just feel like that little extra weight gives me more power and stability.

Having played with the stick now for a few months, I can only say it's a great stick. Good-sized sweet spot, super arm-friendly (although it plays a bit stiffer than 59 in RA), great feel and still spin-friendly with its open string pattern. I've been switching racquets a LOT these last few years, but I really feel like I've found a winner with this Prince teXtreme Tour 95. As a sidenote, since I have four of these – the quality control is much better than Wilson where I feel sometimes balance and weight are way too far apart.

Great job with the teXtreme series, Prince.

PS. I string my Prince teXtreme Tour 95s with either Diadem Solstice Pro or Solinco Hyper-G. Solinco is my favourite currently but both are great strings! DS.