Condition

8

10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor

| Rarity

9

10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller

– – – – – – – – – – –

About This Racket

In 2008 Prince tried to combine all its technology in one racket with incredible results! The Rebel 95 was relatively large for the time, full resilient carbon, O3 ports and standard legnth but in this model custom extended to 28″. It also offered all this in an 18×20. Gail Monfils used this in 2002-2005. The Team was around 300g and the non-team around 330g and both super-solid. Later they made 98″ versions although there is something about the 95″ version. For me the 330g was too heavy and the head size was small by latest modern standards.

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)

About Howard Head & Prince

Howard Head, born in 1914, initially pursued an English degree at Harvard but switched to engineering due to his aptitude for structural visualization. After graduating, he worked for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Company, where he contributed to the design of military aircraft during World War II. His engineering career took a significant turn when he went on a ski trip and found the heavy wooden skis unmanageable. Head returned to his workshop and invented a flexible laminated ski using aluminum and plastic, which led to the creation of the Head Ski Company.In 1969, after selling his ski company, Head retired and took up tennis. Frustrated by his poor performance, he began modifying tennis rackets in his home workshop. He realized that by increasing the size of the racket’s face, he could reduce twisting and improve control. This innovation led to the creation of the oversized tennis racket, which significantly enhanced his game and later became a commercial success.Understanding the broader potential of his invention, Head collaborated with engineers at the Prince Manufacturing Company, where he had previously purchased a ball machine. He optimized the racket design to benefit all tennis players, not just himself. This democratic approach to engineering made tennis more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience, breaking the barrier that only the affluent could excel in the sport.Head’s journey exemplifies the essence of engineering: transforming personal needs into solutions that democratize technology. His oversized racket innovation, along with other contributions like the honeycomb construction and the use of new materials such as graphite, revolutionized tennis. Despite facing resistance from traditionalists, the success of players like Pam Shriver and Michael Chang with Prince rackets validated his designs.

Gallery

Prince by Time