Maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s the unique feel of their rackets. Either way, there’s something special about holding a Prince frame in your hands.
Their story though, starts not in rackets, but in tennis ball machines. Founded in 1970 in Princeton, New Jersey – yes, hence the Prince name – the brand’s first product was also a world-first: a ball-throwing machine, which aimed to help players of all levels improve their game by allowing unaided practice at the court or at home.
One such player was Howard Head, founder of the HEAD sporting goods company, who had taken up tennis following his retirement in 1969. Always one to look for improvement, Head bought a Prince ball machine, and, eventually, the entire company.
Having tinkered with his ball machine in hope of boosting his limited skills, he started to do the same with his racket, landing upon a design for a larger frame that would have a significantly larger sweetspot than anything seen before. A multi-million-dollar business acquisition and a few thousands hours in the lab later, he and his engineers produced “The Prince” and began a tennis boom, allowing amateur players around the world to hit more successful shots and have more fun playing the game.
Since then, Prince rackets have been beloved by amateurs and pros alike, with stars such as Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, and Bob and Mike Bryan having wielded the famous “P” over the years, along with too many club players to count.
Their modern range includes the iconic Tour, the Phantom, the Beast, the Legacy, and the Vortex, with a selection of weights and headsizes to choose from, and options boasting the feel-enhancing O3 grommet technology. If you’ve never tried a Prince racket, trust us, you’re missing out.
Prince O3 Beast 100 (300)
Play on instinct with the Prince O3 Beast 100 tennis racket, featuring O3 portholes for maximum comfort and control.
Prince’s Beast range is designed to bring power and spin to players of all levels with its comfort-focused design. Featuring second-generation TeXtreme technology, Beast rackets absorb vibrations on impact allowing you to play your natural game.
The O3 Beast 100 features O3 portholes and an oversized head for the ultimate combination of power and comfort.
Prince’s Beast range is designed to bring power and spin to players of all levels with its comfort-focused design. Featuring second-generation TeXtreme technology, Beast rackets absorb vibrations on impact allowing you to play your natural game.
The O3 Beast 100 features O3 portholes and an oversized head for the ultimate combination of power and comfort.
Prince
Power Racket
Power rackets typically have larger headsizes, thicker beams, and overall stiffer frames, making it easier to generate pace on the ball. They also tend to be more stable, offering more forgiving performance for off-centre hits.
Features
HEAD SIZE: 100IN / 645CM
WEIGHT: 300G / 10.6OZ UNSTRUNG
BALANCE: 32.0CM / 12.6IN 7PTS. HEAD LIGHT
SWING WEIGHT: 285
STRING PATTERN: 16 X 19
CROSS SECTION: 24 - 26 - 23MM
LENGTH: 27IN / 68.6CM
WEIGHT: 300G / 10.6OZ UNSTRUNG
BALANCE: 32.0CM / 12.6IN 7PTS. HEAD LIGHT
SWING WEIGHT: 285
STRING PATTERN: 16 X 19
CROSS SECTION: 24 - 26 - 23MM
LENGTH: 27IN / 68.6CM
Additional Information
- Quick Ref: 183126
- Man. Ref: 7T45R805
Choosing the Right Grip Size for your Tennis Racket
One often overlooked, but crucial, aspect when selecting a tennis racket is the grip size. The grip size is the measurement around the handle's circumference, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your comfort, control, and potential to prevent injury. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the right tennis racket grip size.
Importance of Choosing the Right Grip Size
A correctly sized tennis grip ensures you have optimal control over your racket and helps prevent injuries. Too small a grip may cause your hand to shift during play, reducing accuracy and increasing the risk of developing tennis elbow due to overuse of the forearm muscles. Conversely, a grip that's too large can make the racket hard to turn and manipulate, and it could also lead to hand, wrist, or shoulder injuries due to overgripping.
Measuring Your Grip Size
There are two common methods to measure your grip size:
- The Ruler Method: Open your dominant hand and extend your fingers. Align a ruler with the bottom lateral crease of your palm, measuring to the tip of your ring finger. The measurement in inches correlates with your grip size.
- The Finder Test: Hold the racket with a standard Eastern forehand grip, where the base knuckle of your index finger is on bevel #3. You should be able to fit the index finger of your other hand in the space between your ring finger and the palm that's gripping the racket. If there's not enough room for your finger, the grip is too small. If there's too much space, the grip is too large.
Grip Sizes: U.S. vs. European
In the U.S., grip sizes range from 4 inches to 4 ¾ inches, increasing in increments of 1/8 inch. European grip sizes use a different naming system, L0 to L5, each correlating to their U.S. counterparts as follows:
| European Grip Size | US Grip Size |
|---|---|
| L0 or G0 | 4 Inches |
| L1 or G1 | 4 1/8 inches |
| L2 or G2 | 4 1/4 inches |
| L3 or G3 | 4 3/8 inches |
| L4 or G4 | 4 1/2 inches |
| L5 or G5 | 4 5/8 inches |
Choosing the Right Grip Size
When choosing the right grip size, consider the following points:
- Go for the smaller size if you're in between: It's easier to increase the size of a grip than decrease it. You can always add an overgrip (which usually adds about 1/16 inch) to a smaller handle to increase its size, but shaving down a larger handle is not recommended as it can compromise the racket's structural integrity.
- Consider your style of play: Players who rely on spin might prefer a smaller grip size, which allows for more wrist action. In contrast, players seeking control may benefit from a larger grip size.
- Test it out: If possible, try before you buy. Visit a local sports store, hold the racket, and mimic your swing to see how it feels. Remember that comfort is key - if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
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