PRINCE Warrior 100L ESP Tennis Racquet Review
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 demo this racquet
Groundstrokes
Despite its light weight, the Warrior 100L ESP is capable of handling a heavy ball. The open 14x16 string pattern allows for both power and spin, while the head heavy balance keeps the racquet from being pushed around. It is more than obvious that the Warrior 100L is built to enhance spin, but the Extreme String Pattern is only one of the design elements that allows this frame to live up to expectations. The Warrior is lightning fast through the air, so I was able to whip up at the ball furiously, while still keeping the ball in the court. I definitely saw an increase in the launch angle, as the ball left the stringbed and traveled over the net, before dipping inside the baseline. Flat shots, especially up the line, sizzled pasted my hitting partner. The frame was maneuverable enough for me to deflect and place defensive backhands, especially cross court. In addition to being impressed by the loads of spin I could achieve, I was shocked at how stable the frame felt on contact with a heavy shot from my opponent.
Volleys
The maneuverability of the frame allowed me react quickly and easily get into position while at the net. I felt in complete control of my shots, whether it be driving the ball low and deep, or hitting a soft drop volley just over the net. The softness of the stringbed kept contact comfortable. Off-center shots did twist the racquet in my hands, but no more than other frames in the 10-11 ounce weight class. The level of quickness this frame allows, coupled with the stability of the hoop, makes this a great choice for net players.
Serves
The balance and the swingweight of the Warrior 100L ESP worked well with my swing mechanics, and I didn’t have any trouble acclimating to the frame. It was easy to bomb flat serves due to the combination of the soft stringbed and the ample racquet head speed. Pinpointing my spin serves was effortless, and felt completely confident, even when aiming for lines/corners. I found the most effective serve to be an aggressive slice, as the ball traveled with plenty of speed while still breaking away from (or into the body of) my opponent.
Overall
I had the opportunity to play with before a full poly (Prince Tour XC 15L at 62lbs) set up and a full multi (Prince Premier Touch 15L at 65lbs) set up while testing the Warrior 100L. Competitive players with big swings will definitely prefer full poly, as it will deliver a lower trajectory and loads of spin. Even at 62lbs, the 14x16 string pattern provides a comfortable response. For players seeking even more comfort or power, a full multi set up is the way to go. Despite not being able to produce as much spin as full poly, the Warrior 100L ESP will still provide superior spin potential than that of a traditional string pattern. The 68 stiffness rating of the frame seems high considering the level of comfort it provides, yet it explains how the racquet feels so sturdy against a fast ball. I would recommend this frame for competitive 3.0 players and up. 4.0 players and up may prefer to customize with some additional weight.
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