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 Tour 100 (290)
Developed to provide supreme control and enhanced feel for players with long, fast swings, the Prince Tour 100 (290g) tennis racket has TeXtreme technology for extra stability in the shot.
The Prince Tour 100 (290g) tennis racket's TeXtreme material offers more stability while, increasing the control to laser-like precision whilst adding enough pop to hit clean winners.
The Tour 100T is the mid-weight edition of the Tour, weighing in at 290 grams for all-round performance.
Prince
Control Racket
Control rackets usually have closed string patterns – essentially, more strings per area – to increase ball contact and give you more control over your shots. They tend to have thinner beams to allow more flex and often utilise material technologies to make you feel more connected to the ball.
Features
• Head size: 100in/645cm
• Weight: 290g
• Balance: 32.5cm/12.8in 6pts.
• Head light
• Swing weight: 285
• String pattern: 16x18
• Cross section: 22-23-20mm
• Length: 27in/68.6cm
• Please note this racket will come unstrung
Additional Information
- Quick Ref: 199144
- Man. Ref: 7T49A905
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.
Worldwide Shipping Available*
Welcome to Pro:Direct Sport! We are delighted to offer worldwide* delivery services tailored to your preferences and budget. Whether you need your order quickly or want to select a specific day for delivery, we've got you covered.
For lightning-fast service, simply place your order before 8pm, and we'll ensure it reaches your doorstep the very next day. Alternatively, you can choose a nominated day for delivery, ensuring you'll be home to receive your package.
Pro:Direct are working in partnership with our carriers to reduce the impact on our environment with low, or zero carbon emissions in the last mile delivery to your door.
When your order is dispatched you will receive an email. You can track your order through your online order history.
*Please note that certain restrictions may apply to specific regions.
Click & Collect from just £2.99*
UK Delivery within 3-5 days. Available for most UK postcodes.
Standard Delivery from just £4.99*
UK Delivery within 3-5 days. Available for most UK postcodes.
Premium Courier Delivery from just £6.49*
UK Delivery within 2-4 days.
Premium couriers offer in-transit options to amend your delivery to make it a more flexible service.
Premium couriers offer in-transit options to amend your delivery to make it a more flexible service.
Next Day & Named Day Delivery from just £7.99*
Order by 8pm Monday - Friday and 4pm at weekends for Next Day.
Premier Delivery
Unlimited free delivery from just £14.95* a year.
Priority order processing, premium courier delivery, and improved order tracking. For more information see our Premier Delivery page.
Priority order processing, premium courier delivery, and improved order tracking. For more information see our Premier Delivery page.
Free Online UK Returns (within 28 days)
Returning a product to Pro:Direct is simple and easy using our Online Returns Portal, and if you are returning from the UK this is also completely FREE of charge.
Watch our video guide for full details on returning an item or click here for detailed information on Returns.
If you are returning an item from outside the UK you can still use our Online Returns Portal but for further details please see our Returns FAQ's.
