Prince have revealed two new racquet lines, Ripstick and Ripcord. Let us take a look at the new Prince Ripstick racquets.
The new lines take on a “fire and ice” style design, with the Ripstick racquets being a fiery red and the Ripcord racquets being a cooler blue.
The Ripstick is version 2, familiar to players for the large O-ports that create a lot of string movement and a specific and relatively comfortable feel.
You can check out the new Prince Ripstick racquets at Tennis Warehouse. But they are not yet available at Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only.
Prince Ripstick 98
This is the most exciting racquet of the new Prince Ripstick racquets on paper. I loved the Ripstick 300, but in the end, it was a little too powerful. The 98 should keep some of that power but in a more controlled head size. The key words for the Ripstick racquets are: Power, Spin and Comfort.
| Head Size: 98 in² / 632.26 cm² |
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight: 11.4oz / 323g |
| Balance: 12.79in / 32.49cm / 6 pts HL |
| Swingweight: 328 |
| Stiffness: 67 |
| Beam Width: 27mm / 25.5mm / 22mm |
| Composition: Textreme/Zylon/Graphite |
| Power Level: Low-Medium |
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full |
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast |
| Racquet Colors: Red |
| Grip Type: Prince ResiTex Pro |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 18 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,8H |
Prince Ripstick 100
This is the update to the Ripstick 300 V1. V2 includes Prince’s updated Anti-Torque System, which combines Textreme and Zylon in key locations to minimize frame wobble and power loss on off-center impact.
| Head Size: 100 in² / 645.16 cm² |
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g |
| Balance: 13in / 33.02cm / 4 pts HL |
| Swingweight: 326 |
| Stiffness: 67 |
| Beam Width: 27mm / 25.5mm / 22mm |
| Composition: TexTreme/Zylon/Graphite |
| Power Level: Low-Medium |
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full |
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast |
| Racquet Colors: Red |
| Grip Type: Prince ResiTex Pro |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 18 Crosses Mains skip: 8T,8H |
There is also a Prince Ripstick 280, which is easier to swing and use, but not as stable.
The same goes for the sister racquet, the Ripcord, which also has a 300, a 280 and 265 gram version.
The Prince Ripcord
The Ripcord has previously been a very light, beginner-friendly racquet, but they now include a Ripcord 100, 300 gram edition for intermediate to advanced players. Like the Ripstick, the Ripcord comes with easy power and spin (and their Anti-Torque system). But it does not have the signature O-ports of the Ripstick.
Instead of the 16/18 of the Ripstick, the Ripcord is 16/19.
| Head Size: 100 in² / 645.16 cm² |
| Length: 27in / 68.58cm |
| Strung Weight: 11.2oz / 318g |
| Balance: 13in / 32.38cm / 6 pts HL |
| Swingweight: 322 |
| Stiffness: 68 |
| Beam Width: 27mm / 25mm / 22mm |
| Composition: Textreme/Zylon/Graphite |
| Power Level: Low-Medium |
| Stroke Style: Medium-Full |
| Swing Speed: Medium-Fast |
| Racquet Colors: Blue |
| Grip Type: Prince ResiTex Pro |
| String Pattern: 16 Mains / 19 Crosses Mains skip: 7T,9T,8H |
We hope to review both the Ripcord and the Ripstick in a near future. The racquets should be in stock on March 25th from Tennis Warehouse.
Which model would you go for? The Ripstick or the Ripcord?
Can’t wait for the video reviews!
According to Chris, a ripcord 98 might come later
At the very least, Prince is offering very interesting frames that really stand-out from the competition. Remember, not everyone wants to play tennis for pro-reasons. I personally play just for the fun of the game. I would prefer hit with the Prince Vortex again or the Synergy than with any ordinary frame.
They just need to “push” their products more creatively (copy Toroline).
The previous ripstick 300 was a fun powerful spinny racket that can strongly hit great lobbed balls for an all court game. The problem with the racket was that I could not get it around me. I am glad I notified them on it and requested a 98 . The fun was also in the white with multi hued collors . The all red of these editions will hurt sales . If prince had a mre pro color pallet that kept the same energy , then I could want to pull it out and look at as fun and pro . This color and pattern is horrible . It looks like oneVolkl Vostra and worse than the new cx series , and a bit equal to heads full pastel colored rackets .