Executive Summary
The Prince Phantom 100P is Prince's tour-derived control frame — an 18x20 dense string pattern at RA 63 that places it squarely in the "traditional control" category alongside the Volkl C10 Pro and Dunlop CX 200 Tour.
Key Characteristic: Where most control frames shrink the head to 95–98 sq in, the Phantom 100P offers a 100 sq in head paired with the dense 18x20 pattern. The result is a slightly larger sweet spot without sacrificing the precision feel that defines this category — a rare combination that makes it more accessible to advanced players who want help on off-center hits while retaining full control.
Key Positioning: This is a frame for players who genuinely prioritise feel, touch, and placement over power assistance. At 310g with RA 63, the Phantom 100P demands a complete game — it will not add power or spin. What it gives back is exceptional feedback and the ability to place the ball exactly where intended.
Performance Profile
The Phantom 100P is defined by its control and touch scores. The Ripstick 100 comparison illustrates the trade-off between the dense pattern's precision and the open pattern's power and spin.
Performance Comparison: Phantom vs Ripstick
Phantom leads in control and touch · Ripstick leads in power, spin, and maneuverability
Model Context
Prince's current lineup spans from the dense-pattern Phantom control frames to the spin-oriented Ripstick series. Understanding the differences clarifies who each frame is built for.
Phantom 100P
The control specialist. Dense 18x20 pattern at RA 63 delivers maximum precision. The 100 sq in head adds a touch more forgiveness than traditional control frames while keeping the surgical feel intact.
Ripstick 98
More spin and maneuverability than the Phantom. The open 16x19 pattern and smaller head make it a better fit for players who rely on heavy topspin rather than flat precision play.
Ripstick 100
The most accessible Ripstick. Lighter and more open than both alternatives, offering maximum power and spin assistance. Best for players developing their game or looking for a more comfortable, forgiving option.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The Phantom 100P occupies a niche position — no current high-profile ATP or WTA endorsements. It is a true "player's racket for purists," used by advanced club players and former professionals who prioritise feel over equipment assistance.
Vinci's touch-and-placement game was a natural fit for the Phantom line. Her ability to redirect pace, construct points with variety, and execute precise net volleys reflected exactly what the dense-pattern control frame enables.
The primary target audience. Players at this level generate their own pace and spin — they need the frame to translate that effort into precise ball placement, not to amplify power. The Phantom rewards technical completeness.
Former competitive players who grew up with traditional frames appreciate the Phantom's connected feel and honest feedback. The 18x20 pattern and flexible beam recall the playing characteristics of classic frames from earlier eras.
String Setup Guide
The Phantom 100P's flexible RA 63 beam and dense 18x20 pattern create a unique stringing situation. The flexibility means the frame is more forgiving of firm strings than its RA might suggest, while the dense pattern limits spin generation — string selection must compensate. Reference range (Phantom 100P): 48–62 lbs (22–28 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Start point (soft poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 50–54 lbs (22.5–24.5 kg) — the 18x20 pattern provides all the control you need; don't string tight to "add" control.
- If you want more spin: Use a shaped or textured poly. The 18x20 severely limits snapback — a shaped string is the primary tool to recover some spin bite.
- If you want more feel and touch: Drop 2–3 lbs and try a multifilament or natural gut hybrid. The flexible beam pairs beautifully with softer strings for exceptional touch play.
- If your arm is struggling: Natural gut mains with multifilament crosses. The RA 63 beam is already arm-friendly but gut elevates the comfort and feel to another level.
- Hybrid note: Natural gut mains with a soft poly cross is the classic setup for this type of frame — maximum feel with enough durability for advanced players.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced control | Soft poly (full bed), 1.25mm | 50–54 lbs (22.5–24.5 kg) | Precise, connected response — the textbook Phantom experience |
| More spin | Shaped poly mains (1.25mm) | 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | Improved spin bite to compensate for the dense 18x20 pattern |
| Maximum touch / feel | Natural gut mains + soft poly crosses (hybrid) | 50–54 lbs (22.5–24.5 kg) | Exceptional pocketing and feedback — the premium control setup |
| More comfort | Multifilament full bed | 52–56 lbs (23.5–25.5 kg) | Softer impact while retaining the 18x20 pattern's precision |
| Durability | Thicker poly (1.30mm) full bed | 52–56 lbs (23.5–25.5 kg) | Extended life with consistent feel — ideal for heavy hitters |
Maintenance Rule
- Restring on schedule, not on feel. The 18x20 pattern and flexible beam mask string deadening — a dead string bed in the Phantom will subtly lose feel and precision before it becomes obvious. Restring every 40–50 hours of play regardless of how the strings look.
Top 3 Recommended Strings
String selection for the Phantom 100P should prioritise feel and spin bite. The dense 18x20 pattern handles control automatically — strings need to compensate for spin and deliver the best possible touch and feedback.
Best for: Advanced players seeking tour-level precision and directional control.
ALU Power's crisp, defined response pairs naturally with the Phantom's precision identity. The aluminum-alloy composition creates excellent directional feedback without being punishing in the flexible RA 63 frame. String 2–3 lbs below your normal tension — the 18x20 pattern provides all the control you need without adding string stiffness.
Best for: Players who want the maximum feel and touch the Phantom is capable of delivering.
Natural gut mains unlock the full potential of the Phantom's flexible beam. The combination of gut's elasticity with the 18x20 pattern's precision creates a level of touch and placement feedback that polys cannot match. Use a soft poly cross for durability. The classic setup for this category of frame.
Best for: Players who want to recover some spin in the dense pattern without sacrificing feel.
TGV's textured co-poly surface provides more bite and spin generation than a standard round poly — directly compensating for the 18x20 pattern's reduced snapback. Its feel characteristics are softer than ALU Power, making it a good option for players who find stiffer polys too harsh in this flexible frame.
Pro tip: The Phantom 100P responds exceptionally well to hybrid setups. Natural gut or multifilament mains with a soft poly cross gives you the best of both worlds — the pattern's precision with strings that maximise the flexible beam's feel potential.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Phantom 100P | Ripstick 98 | Ripstick 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 310g / 10.9oz | 300g / 10.6oz | 295g / 10.4oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | Head Light | Head Light | Head Light |
| String Pattern | 18x20 (dense, max control) | 16x19 (open, more spin) | 16x19 (open, more power/spin) |
| Stiffness (RA) | 63 | ~65 | ~63 |
| Swingweight (unstrung) | 335 | ~310 | ~300 |
| Swingweight (strung) | 335 | ~320 | ~308 |
| Target Player | Advanced / Purist Control | Spin Baseliner (4.0–5.0) | Power / Spin (3.5–4.5) |