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Prince Tour 2026 Racquet Review – The Return of a Classic

Prince Tour 2026 Racquet Review – The Return of a Classic

Prince modernizes the Tour line with better feel, more power, and a new construction technology that delivers a more connected response.

The new Prince Tour line is finally here, and judging by the reaction from players and Prince fans alike, this might be one of the most anticipated racquet launches from Prince in years.

I got the chance to test the entire lineup together with Prince engineer Tim Puttock, former world No. 10 Lucas Pouille, and Eric from Toroline (watch our video review further down). After extensive hitting sessions, one thing became clear very quickly: Prince has modernised the Tour franchise without losing the classic Prince DNA.

The New Prince Tour Lineup

The new range includes four frames:

  • Prince Tour 98 (305g, 16×19)
  • Prince Tour 100 310 (16×18)
  • Prince Tour 100 290 (16×18)
  • Prince Tour 100P (305g, 18×20)

The launch is timed around Roland Garros, and the cosmetic reflects that nicely with subtle clay-inspired accents on a glossy black frame.

And yes, they look really good in my opinion.

What Changed from the Previous Generation?

If you played the previous ATS Tours, you probably remember the plushness and comfort. Those racquets received excellent reviews, especially the Tour 98, but some players felt the response was slightly over-dampened or muted. That changes with the new generation.

The biggest improvement is the sensation at contact. The racquets feel more connected, more direct and more alive without becoming harsh. You can really feel the ball pocketing on the strings before release – something many advanced players crave.

Prince introduced a new construction technology called ISO Fiber, designed to isolate different fiber orientations within the layup to create a more efficient response. On court, that translates into:

  • Better connection to the ball
  • Slightly easier access to power
  • Cleaner feedback
  • A more modern response overall

The new Tours still maintain that signature Prince dwell time and comfort, but now with a little extra pace and easier put-away power.

Prince Tour 98 – The Star of the Line?

The Tour 98 feels like the racquet most likely to become the standout hit of the lineup.

It keeps the traditional Prince flex and feel but modernizes it with a crisper, more responsive layup and a bit more stiffness. The result is a control-oriented frame with surprising pop.

Compared to something like a Blade, the Tour 98 offers:

  • Slightly more power
  • Faster response through the court
  • Excellent directional control
  • A classic box beam feel
  • Outstanding feedback on clean contact

Some players immediately gravitated toward the 98. It feels rewarding when you strike the ball well and gives advanced players exactly the kind of connected response they want from a modern control racquet.

String Setup

I tested the Tour 98 with several setups:

My main test setup: Solinco Tour Bite 1.25mm at 53 lbs / 24 kg

This combination provided excellent control and spin while keeping the frame comfortable. The Tour Bite’s bite on the ball paired nicely with the racquet’s modern feel.

Alternative setups that worked well:

  • Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 at 51-52 lbs for more comfort
  • Hybrid with multifilament mains (Tecnifibre Razor Soft 1.30) and poly crosses for added feel
  • Natural gut mains / poly crosses for maximum feel and power

I’d avoid going too high with tension. The Tour 98 plays best at 51-54 lbs / 23-24 kg where you get control without losing the connected feel.

Tour 100 and 100P – Forgiveness vs Precision

The Tour 100 remains one of the more unique offerings on the market because Prince continues to offer a true players-style 100 sq inch frame in both 290g and 310g versions.

Tour 100 310 – The Heavy Hitter

The 310 especially stands out.

Most 100 sq inch racquets today sit around 300g and often feel generic. The Tour 100 310 delivers something different:

  • More stability
  • More dwell time
  • Better feel
  • Excellent comfort
  • Easy access to spin and depth

The 16×18 pattern offers strong launch and spin potential, although some players may prefer the tighter control of the 18×20 Tour 100P.

Tour 100P – Precision Tool

That’s exactly why Lucas Pouille still prefers the 100P.

The 18×20 string pattern provides:

  • Lower launch angle
  • More precision on flat drives
  • Better control for aggressive baseliners
  • Tighter feel overall

For players who hit relatively flat or prefer maximum directional control, the 100P is the obvious choice.

Lucas Pouille’s Input

Pouille has been with Prince since he was 15 years old and played a major role in helping fine-tune the new Tour line.

According to him, the new generation adds necessary power for the modern game while maintaining the control characteristics Tour users expect.

With heavier balls, slower courts, and physically demanding rallies, modern players increasingly need racquets that provide a little more free pace without sacrificing feel.

That balance is exactly what Prince seems to have targeted here.

The Special Prince x Toroline Collaboration

The Tour 98 also became the platform for a special Prince x Toroline collaboration featuring a custom purple cosmetic and a pairing with Toroline’s upcoming A5 string.

And yes – the purple paint job absolutely turns heads.

This limited edition version offers the same performance as the standard Tour 98 but with a distinctive look that makes it one of the most eye-catching racquets on court right now.

On-Court Performance

Serves

All four racquets provided good serve performance, though with different characteristics:

Tour 98: Easy power with excellent control. Felt connected on contact and provided good feedback on placement. Slice serves were particularly effective.

Tour 100 310: The extra mass helped with pace and stability, especially on second serves with heavy spin. Very confidence-inspiring.

Tour 100 290: More maneuverable overhead, making it easier to adjust racquet head speed for different serve types.

Tour 100P: Tighter launch made it easier to hit through flat serves without worrying about balls sailing long.

Groundstrokes

This is where the improvements really shine.

The new Tours feel significantly more responsive than the previous generation without losing the signature Prince comfort. I could load up on topspin when needed but also flatten out shots when I wanted to take time away.

The Tour 98 was my favorite for groundstrokes. The combination of control, power, and feel hit a sweet spot that reminded me why Prince racquets have such a loyal following. It is noticeably more demanding than the Tour 100, though, but still relatively user-friendly for a 98.

The Tour 100 310 offered more forgiveness and plow-through, which helped on defensive balls when I was stretched. The extra mass really stabilizes the frame against pace. On defense where I contacted the ball slightly late, there was a risk of the ball sailing. But compared to the 98, I also got a bit more help.

Volleys

The Tour 98 and 100P felt most precise at net, offering excellent touch and control on touch volleys. The Tour 100 310 provided more stability but required slightly quicker hands due to the added weight and the more open pattern sending the ball deeper on average.

All four frames offered good feel on volleys, a classic Prince strength.

Video Review

Comparing to Other Racquets

vs Wilson Blade 98

The Tour 98 feels slightly more powerful and faster through contact than the Blade. The Blade might offer a touch more precision, but the Tour 98 counters with better access to depth and a more modern responsive feel.

vs Yonex EZONE 98

The EZONE 98 is more powerful and has a lower launch angle. The Tour 98 feels more classic, with better dwell time and a more connected sensation. Different philosophies – both excellent.

Customization Potential

All four frames offer good customization potential:

Tour 98: Already well-balanced stock. Could add 2-4g at 3&9 for more stability or 2-4g at 12 o’clock for extra serve power.

Tour 100 310: Heavy enough stock for most players. Adding weight could make it cumbersome.

Tour 100 290: Perfect for customization. Add weight to bring it closer to 300-305g strung for more stability while maintaining maneuverability.

Tour 100P: Similar to the 98 – good as-is but can be tweaked based on preference.

Which One Should You Choose?

Tour 98

Best for advanced players who want:

  • Maximum connection and feel
  • Precision with controlled power
  • A modern control racquet with classic flex

This is the star of the lineup. It modernizes the Tour line while maintaining what made Prince special.

Tour 100 310

Best for players who want:

  • A forgiving players frame
  • More stability and plow-through
  • Spin and comfort with extra mass

A unique offering that delivers proper player-frame characteristics in a 100 sq in package.

Tour 100 290

Best for:

  • Easier maneuverability
  • Customization potential
  • Intermediate to advanced players wanting a lighter platform

Good option for players who want the Tour 100 feel without committing to the 310’s weight.

Tour 100P (18×20)

Best for:

  • Flat hitters
  • Precision-focused players
  • Players who want tighter launch control

The precision tool in the lineup. Perfect for players like Pouille who prefer control more depth and launch.

So, should you consider the new Prince Tour 2026?

Prince may not have the massive tour presence of some other brands anymore, but they continue to produce some of the best racquets.

The new Tour line feels like a genuine step forward:

  • More modern response
  • Better connection to the ball
  • Improved power
  • Cleaner feedback
  • Still unmistakably Prince

For longtime Prince fans, these racquets should absolutely live up to expectations.

And for players who have never seriously considered Prince before, the new Tour 98 in particular deserves a demo.

This is one of the strongest Prince launches in years. The Tour 98 especially could become a sleeper hit – it offers everything advanced players want in a modern control racquet while maintaining the classic Prince DNA that made the brand legendary.

Where to buy it?

Find it available now (or in the coming days/weeks) at our partners via these links: Tennis Warehouse (USA, Canada), Tennis Warehouse Europe (use promo code TNERD10 for 10% off), or at Tennis Only (Australia).

Prince Tour 98 Specifications:

  • Head Size: 98 sq in / 632 sq cm
  • Weight: 305g / 10.8 oz (unstrung)
  • Balance: 320mm / 7 pts HL
  • Length: 27 inches / 68.6 cm
  • String Pattern: 16×19
  • Beam Width: 21-21-19mm

Prince Tour 100 310 Specifications:

  • Head Size: 100 sq in / 645 sq cm
  • Weight: 310g / 10.9 oz (unstrung)
  • Balance: 315mm / 5 pts HL
  • Length: 27 inches / 68.6 cm
  • String Pattern: 16×18

Prince Tour 100P Specifications:

  • Head Size: 100 sq in / 645 sq cm
  • Weight: 305g / 10.8 oz (unstrung)
  • Balance: 320mm / 7 pts HL
  • Length: 27 inches / 68.6 cm
  • String Pattern: 18×20

Have you tried any of the new Prince Tour models? Let us know in the comments.

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