Monfils in form with Prince, defeats Roddick to reach quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
After Nearly Deciding Not to Play Roland Garros, French Hopeful Gael Monfils Surges into Quarterfinals
He has a made a racquet switch for the first time in his career. He has a new coach. And he seemingly has a new pair of knees. Never afraid to get his “uniform” dirty, the gritty, athletic Frenchman, Gael Monfils, has taken out the #6 seed Andy Roddick (USA) today to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
Amazing since only eight days ago, the 22 year-old was unsure whether he would even be playing this year’s French Open. Now, the colorful crowd favorite and last Frenchman standing finds himself preparing for a rematch of last year’s epic semi-final match with Roger Federer.
*Information from Monfils’ coach Roger Rasheed on why the racquet switch happened and what it has meant to Monfils’ game and the overall “package”.
“Gael said to me, Roger, the minute I pick up a racquet I will know if it is a great racquet or not. He hit, no exaggeration, two balls and he instantly had greater spin and margin on the ball…two of the other things I was looking for in his game. He said, ‘that’s it. Done.’
For me, it was a bizarre experience to have a player at that level change racquets and go to a completely different frame after hitting only two balls. And at the end of the day, all that, and putting a smile on your face when you pick up your major weapon…and trusting it, all the time when you get out on the court… that’s a big thing. Gael is an interesting player. He trusts his racquet now and it’s 100% that racquet. So the product itself is a big key to the whole package.”
- Coach Roger Rasheed
Gael Monfils’ new racquet:
Prince EXO3 (pronounced ex-oh-three) Rebel 95
Prince Enhances Popular EXO3 Tennis Racquet Line with Three New Models in US
Monday, June 1st, 2009| Overall Rating | No Ratings |
Prince Enhances Popular EXO3 Racquet Line with Three New Models in U.S
EXO3 Ignite 95, EXO3 Ignite Team 95 and EXO3 Blue 110 Complement Existing Line
Bordentown, NJ, June 1, 2009 – In January 2009, Prince announced the launch of EXO3, its newest high performance tennis racquet line. With a completely radical new frame design and production process, EXO3 racquets feature the patented Energy BridgeTM and Energy ChannelTM constructions which literally transfer more energy (up to 26% more) back into the tennis ball upon contact – where players need it most. The EXO3 Red 105 has already captured the #1 “hot new racquet” spot in the sport* while every other current model in the EXO3 line sits within the top fifteen. Now, in an effort to build upon its growing popularity and to round out the offering, Prince is set to introduce three new EXO3 models just in time for summer. Two new advanced player frames and a classic oversize frame will allow more players to take advantage of this ground-breaking racquet technology.
“We have once again carefully applied EXO3 technology to each new model in a manner that addresses the specific needs of the player-type for which the racquet is intended,” said Tyler Herring, Global Business Director for Performance Racquets at Prince. “The EXO3 Ignite is built for a very particular high-level player and will help continue our assault on that growing segment of the market. The EXO3 Blue 110 is built with the millions of recreational club players in mind who look to Prince to help them have more fun on court and who seek the ultimate in comfort and power.”
EXO3 Ignite 95, EXO3 Ignite Team 95 & EXO3 Blue 110 The EXO3 Ignite 95 will join the already popular EXO3 Graphite and EXO3 Rebel racquets in providing advanced-level players an EXO3 racquet with classic features for ultimate control and feel. As with the EXO3 Rebel 95, the racquet choice of Gael Monfils, the EXO3 Ignite 95 will also be available in a “Team” version – the EXO3 Ignite Team 95 – for competitive players who want a lighter-weight, more maneuverable offering. In addition, the EXO3 Blue 110 will be positioned between the EXO3 Silver 118 and EXO3 Red 105 for club players who want the advantage of EXO3 technology in a standard 110 square inch oversize frame.
“With more players taking to tennis courts in the United States, we need to ensure that our racquets deliver the core benefits each player type demands, and focus on making it easy for consumers to identify the right racquet for them at retail,” said Linda Glassel, VP of Sports Marketing and Branding at Prince. “The Graphite, Rebel and Ignite franchises signify racquets built for players typically looking for control-oriented frames in heavier weights and more traditional cross sections. In our recreational frames we have continued with a color naming strategy (Red 105, Blue 110, Silver 118) so players can identity which racquet they should graduate to. If they liked the O3 Blue 110, they will love the EXO3 Blue 110.”
Additional Information and Specifics on Each New EXO3 Model: EXO3 Ignite 95: Built for advanced level players with faster swing speeds who are looking for a heavy, yet head light racquet with extra feel and great access to power. The EXO3 Ignite 95 features the Energy Channel in a classic, round Prince head shape with a slightly thicker box beam construction. Pre-installed with String Port Inserts, the EXO3 Ignite 95 provides a bit more “juice” than the EXO3 Rebel 95 and is best suited for players with a skilled all-court game.
EXO3 Ignite Team 95: Perfect for intermediate to advanced players who like a classic, mid-size frame in a slightly lighter weight for added maneuverability and more power from the baseline. Pre-installed with String Port Inserts, the EXO3 Ignite Team 95 has great “pick up” feel.
EXO3 Blue 110: Featuring both the Energy Bridge and Energy Channel, this frame is designed for the club player looking for the incredible EXO3 feel in a classic oversize frame. For those who enjoy the forgiving nature of a larger sweetspot and comfortable ride.
*According to the Q1 TIA/SMS Tennis Specialty Store Audit Note: All specs below represent unstrung racquets
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EXO3 Ignite 95 |
EXO3 Ignite Team 95 |
EXO3 Blue 110 |
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Selling Points: |
A classic midsize frame with more weight for extra stability and an open string pattern for more spin and feel. |
Same classic feel as the EXO3 Ignite 95, but in a lighter weight option for improved maneuverability. |
A classic oversize racquet with anything but classic performance. The EXO3 Blue 110 gives you exceptional comfort with a supersized sweet spot. |
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Best Suited For: |
A super stable platform for advanced players with an all court game. |
Perfect for the player looking for classic midsize feel in an easy to swing racquet. |
Built for players who like a lightweight, forgiving frame. |
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Headsize: |
95 in2 |
95 in2 |
110 in2 |
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Power Level: |
800 |
800 |
1350 |
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Weight: |
335g / 11.8oz |
295g / 10.4oz |
260g / 9.2oz |
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Balance: |
14 pts. Head Light |
6 pts. Head Light |
3 pts. Head Heavy |
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Balance Point: |
30.0cm / 11.8in |
32.5cm / 12.8in |
35.5cm / 14.0in |
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Length: |
27.0in |
27.0in |
27.25in |
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Swing Weight: |
310 |
295 |
285 |
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Cross Section: |
22mm |
22mm |
26-28-24mm |
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Available: |
July 1, 2009 |
July 1, 2009 |
July 1, 2009 |
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SRP: |
$210 |
$200 |
$280 |
Players can log on to www.princetennis.com for full information beginning June 15, 2009.
About EXO3 Technology Built off the game-changing O-Tech platform, EXO3 technology is a revolutionary, patented racquet design concept found only in Prince frames. The heart of EXO3 is an engineering breakthrough called the Energy BridgeTM – an exo skeletal structure made from a blend of multiple strands of carbon fiber that creates tennis’ first suspended string bed. The Energy ChannelTM, a sculpted groove within the frame, enhances the dynamic benefits of the Energy BridgeTM, and provides added stability, boosts ball control and increases spin. Together the two structures help to capture more wasted energy (up to 26% more) and direct it back into the tennis ball, where players need (and want) it most. More energy into the ball means reduced frame vibration, increased outbound and rotational ball energy and velocity which result in more comfort, more spin, more control and more power.
About Prince Sports, Inc.
Prince Sports, Inc, based in New Jersey, is a company of racquet sports enthusiasts whose goal is to create cutting edge, functional and technically advanced products that deliver performance benefits for avid players. The Company’s portfolio of brands includes Prince (tennis, squash and badminton), Ektelon (racquetball) and Viking (platform/paddle tennis). The Company has a history of innovation including inventing the first “oversize” and “longbody” racquets, the first “Natural Foot Shape” tennis shoe, the first “synthetic gut” string and the first electronic ball machine. Today, Prince markets leading technologies in racquets (EXO3), string (Recoil), footwear (Precision Tube Technology) and apparel (Aerotech). It has operations on three continents with distribution in over 100 countries. For more information on players, products or programs please visit www.princesports.com.
