by Ron Leon
Introduction:
The Prince O3 Speedport Tour, like its slightly lighter-weight companion, the O3 Speedport Black, features the latest technology from Prince, always a leader in technical and design innovation for squash players. It is the racquet used by current WPSA World #1-ranked player Nicol David, and is also endorsed by former PSA World #1-ranked player Peter Nicol.
It's the ideal choice for players wanting more power and control in an extremely aerodynamic and lightweight frame, allowing the player precise shots from all areas of the squash court.
The Prince O3 Speedport Tour offers the largest sweetspot for perfect control, ultimate speed, more power and unmatched stability for pin point accuracy. Another winning combination from Prince!
The stated purpose of the Speedport head design is to reduce resistance during the stroke, and you can really feel the racquet's ability to move through the air faster.
Compared to the O3 Tour with the Power Groove Shaft, the new beefier shaft design of the Speedport adds stiffness and control. This is a great all-around racquet and despite its even balance it has a very light feel, and the slightly heavier head provides a little more momentum through the stroke than the Speedport Black. The power of this racquet is incredible and it also has great response for the touch player. At times it feels like it has a mind of its own as the racquet assists in the completion of the stroke.
General Impressions:
As one of the first players in the USA to have the opportunity to test and play with the first prototypes of the Prince O3 squash racquets, I have understood the significant advancement that the technology offered to squash players. The O3 racquets responded differently than any other racquet I'd ever used, but once I got the feel for it nothing else seemed to compare.
It was no secret that the Speedport technology would be introduced next for squash players, and my expectations were very high; I expected the square shaped O3 speedports would allow for more string movement than the oval shaped O3 ports, but even at very low string tensions I did not notice a significant difference in the sweet spot or ball response. However, the Speedport shaft is much beefier than the Power Groove shaft that is used for the O3 Tour, and although at first it seemed a little less maneuverable, after playing with it for a while I've concluded that it allows for a more powerful drive and less vibration at the grip in comparison to the O3 Tour.
The color scheme of the Speedport Tour is the recognizable Prince professional range; gold, with a slightly richer tone than the O3 Tour which shares the same colour scheme. It's a great looking racquet.
General feel:
Just holding this racquet inspires confidence. It is a high quality product with a great feel and a great look. Very easy to swing, with a balanced feel that easily maintains its position through the entire arc of the stroke. It's a very stiff racquet and doesn't contain the space-age gel material that's used in many top racquets from other manufacturers. Some players will find that it feels rather hard when compared to the soft response that many of the latest gel frames offer.
Speed-to-preparation:
It is very easy to take the racquet from the middle ready position to either the forehand or backhand prepared position, due to the overall light weight and even balance. The O3 ports undoubtedly add to the quick feel when preparing.
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Maneuverability:
This is one of the most maneuverable of all evenly balanced racquets, which means you can execute more options from any position on the court. I often find myself forced to change my shot after I've started the stroke, and the Speedport doesn't resist the changes at all. It responds to quick flicks of the wrist with as much momentum through the stroke as a head-heavy racquet.
Stroke momentum:
The Speedport Tour provides enhanced stroke momentum in comparison to its slightly lighter companion (the Speedport Black), which can be helpful for players at all skill levels. For a touch player, the additional weight allows for more accurate touch shots with a reduced backswing or delayed stroke, because the additional weight provides momentum to enhance the follow-through.
Sweet spot:
Prince claims that the Speedport racquets have a 59% larger sweetspot, but I didn't notice it being any larger than the O3 racquets. As in all Prince racquets with the Power Ring feature, the sweetspot is relatively long and narrow. The unique shape of the head accommodates the fan string pattern in such a way that contacting the ball outside the sweetspot still produces decent control.
Power:
This is one of the most powerful racquets I've ever played with, I remember commenting when I first tried it that it felt like it was practically playing itself, like it had a mind of its own. When I switch between the Speedport Black and this racquet, I have the impression that the Speedport Tour has slightly more power, without sacrificing any control.
Driving to length:
Finding and maintaining your length is very natural with the Speedport Tour. The response from the racquet allows you to continually vary the height and pace of your shot while maintaining the accuracy of your length, which is the key to controlling the rally. This may be the strongest point in favour of this racquet.
Retrieving tight shots:
It's very easy to take the balls which seem to be glued to the wall and send them right back just as tight and with perfect length. The frame beam surrounding the head is very narrow and that makes it easier to get more strings onto the tightest balls without taking unnecessary risks in striking the wall.
Volleys to length:
The combination of ideal weight and even balance in the Speedport Tour allows for accurate volleys to a length or to a width, especially when attacking from the T. Even volleys from shoulder height can be sent to a good length consistently.
Volley kills:
Who doesn't love to attack and execute the perfect volley kill? If [ it's only been in your dreams, maybe this racquet will help you accomplish this impressive shot in reality and add it to your arsenal. The Speedport racquets seem especially suited for the players who look for the volley kill.
Volley drops:
Volley drops and stop-volleys are easy to execute with the Speedport due to the excellent feel the racquet provides the player. Advanced players who have mastered the stop-volley will find the Speedport Tour to be the perfect tool to execute this useful skill.
Drops:
This racquet enables players to execute drop shots with either a full stroke or a compressed stroke. For advanced players who are able to disguise their drop with a properly-prepared backswing and a complete follow-through, this racquet will enhance their consistency due to its optimal stroke momentum.
Boasts:
I love to boast and this racquet provides the necessary touch and finesse required to execute consistently perfect boasts. If you love to boast you'll love this racquet!
Lobs:
I don't have any problem lifting the ball to a perfect height with the Speedport Tour. The follow-through after contacting the ball seems effortless and adjustments can be made very quickly due to the excellent feedback that the stiff frame provides when striking the ball softly.
Spins / Cuts:
The agility and racquet head speed allow for accurate spins and cuts. The long main string characteristic created by the teardrop head shape and the Power-Ring technology enable the player to apply maximum spin to the ball, especially when using textured strings.
Conclusion:
If you're looking for a racquet at the leading edge of technology, look no further. This is it. If you want a slightly lighter head to allow for more maneuverability and faster stroke technique, consider the Speedport Black which is slightly lighter towards the head but identical in all other respects. The absence of lightweight gel to bind the frame material gives the racquet an overly stiff feel compared to racquets with the gel, but this is only noticeable when switching from one to the other.
I said earlier: it doesn’t get any better than this.
If you’re an advanced player, you owe it to your game to try the Prince O3 Speedport Tour.
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