Donnay Pro One 97 users club

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Can anyone compare the Pro 1 to the new Pure Drive 2012 model?

I can only compare it to the PDR, the standard PD is too light.

firstly, if i was forced to choose from the whole babolat stable, i would choose the PRD. Awesome racquet. big power, big serves, big groundies, big everything but it still has that Babolat feel. Which is tinny, stiff and uncomfy. bit harder to control all that power sometimes when you really need to place a shot.

the Pro One, is very very comfortably. if you train and play proper 3 set matches 12-15 hours a week, you need to look after your arm. the P1 hasnt got the punch that the PDR provides, but it has controllable power! this is crucial!!. serves and groundies are still very very powerful compared to alot of players sticks.

Both sticks are perfect for the current modern game, baseline bashing all day long. But for me, I still need to control my heavy shots and need a tad more comfort. So the P1 for me.

On another note, I beat an undefeated 5.0 using a Head YT PP last night. the P1 just had a tad more easy power at the end of the 3rd set.

[Xonemains]

forgot to mention, the PDR is also more forgiving and bit easier to use.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I know you tried the Formula 100....how does that compare with the Pro1?

The Pro 1 swings heavier than the F100. It also hits a heavier ball. The Pro 1's smaller head size = less room for error. Both racquets serve very well. The Pro 1's weight distribution allows me to hit great flat or spin serves with ease. The F100 also serves great spin or flat. There's less weight in the head so in 3 or more sets it's easier to maintain my racquet head speed. For whatever reason I can't find a rhythm with the F100. Still holding out hope for the F100 mainly because of the TW review.

[mrrockstar]

Just bought a Pro One 97 in HK.

I found it is shorter handle as comparing with my current Volkl Pb mid 10 (I am 2hhb)

[Praetorian]

I know I'm asking a longshot, but anyone try the OS version? I was thinking of picking one up for those EXTREMELY lazy doubles days, or when I get fatigued to the point of I'm seeing spots.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Donn...AY-DP1OSX.html

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by mrrockstar

Just bought a Pro One 97 in HK.

I found it is shorter handle as comparing with my current Volkl Pb mid 10 (I am 2hhb)

Hi Praetorian. Welcome to the club. Yes, the grip on the handle is abit shorter. if you have huge hands, you have to wrap the overgrips higher or get a new replacement grip and wrap higher. if not, this grip is better for you, it forces you to hold the left hand as low as possible so you are using 95% of your left hand and the right hand just to guide it through. more leverage too.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Praetorian

I know I'm asking a longshot, but anyone try the OS version? I was thinking of picking one up for those EXTREMELY lazy doubles days, or when I get fatigued to the point of I'm seeing spots.

http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Donn...AY-DP1OSX.html

lol, you dont need a oversize for the extremely lazy days, the pro one 97 will do just fine. it has enough power for you to just set up and swing slowly and steady. it will still be a good ball

you're coming from a Volkl Pb mid 10, the pro one 97 already seems like an oversize to you. can you compare the volleys for the above 2 sticks when you have time.

the Oversize does look extremely powerful though, good for the intermediate players.

[Praetorian]

Haha.. Might be some cross talk going on. I actually do play, with an x-dual pro. I just want to pick up a racket to be silly with. You know for those time, when you just want to serve through the fence, or hit the overheard out of the courts with minimal effrort.

[Xonemains]

LOL! so you want to spend $200 on a racquet so that you can actually hit an overheard out of the courts?

i better buy an OS as well incase the guys in the next court overheard me talking to myself,

[Dgdavid]

Xonemains, what was your recent racket history before you switched to the P1?

[JackB1]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

The Pro 1 swings heavier than the F100. It also hits a heavier ball. The Pro 1's smaller head size = less room for error. Both racquets serve very well. The Pro 1's weight distribution allows me to hit great flat or spin serves with ease. The F100 also serves great spin or flat. There's less weight in the head so in 3 or more sets it's easier to maintain my racquet head speed. For whatever reason I can't find a rhythm with the F100. Still holding out hope for the F100 mainly because of the TW review.

That TW review of the F100 is very suspicious

[mbisaac]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

I can only compare it to the PDR, the standard PD is too light.

firstly, if i was forced to choose from the whole babolat stable, i would choose the PRD. Awesome racquet. big power, big serves, big groundies, big everything but it still has that Babolat feel. Which is tinny, stiff and uncomfy. bit harder to control all that power sometimes when you really need to place a shot.

the Pro One, is very very comfortably. if you train and play proper 3 set matches 12-15 hours a week, you need to look after your arm. the P1 hasnt got the punch that the PDR provides, but it has controllable power! this is crucial!!. serves and groundies are still very very powerful compared to alot of players sticks.

Both sticks are perfect for the current modern game, baseline bashing all day long. But for me, I still need to control my heavy shots and need a tad more comfort. So the P1 for me.

On another note, I beat an undefeated 5.0 using a Head YT PP last night. the P1 just had a tad more easy power at the end of the 3rd set.

Just sold my PD 2012 and picked up the Pro Ones. All in similar power but the Pro Ones have more control, are less stiff, and feels more solid. I sold the PD as I started to experience tennis elbow and shoulder pain which I never had before. I tried a few different string setups at different tensions which didn't help. As such, I started demoing and landed on the P1. I also added leather grips which also made it more headlight. Great all around racquet

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by mbisaac

Just sold my PD 2012 and picked up the Pro Ones. All in similar power but the Pro Ones have more control, are less stiff, and feels more solid. I sold the PD as I started to experience tennis elbow and shoulder pain which I never had before. I tried a few different string setups at different tensions which didn't help. As such, I started demoing and landed on the P1. I also added leather grips which also made it more headlight. Great all around racquet

yeah, someone else has seen the light!! you mirror my thoughts buddy.

i think the PDR has a tiny bit more power, and forgiveness. But P1 beats it over control, comfort and feel. P1 feels very solid. it dosent even need lead in the hoop.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by Dgdavid

Xonemains, what was your recent racket history before you switched to the P1?

i dont know why you see this as useful but i hope it helps you in some way or another.

i spend about 12-15 p/week on the courts, mostly drills and practice then some matches. our club has a decent pro shop so we demo all we like right there and then, (whoever breaks strings on demos, pays for a new set). i bought quite a few racquets over the years, (heaps of babolat too) but the ones i will mention sits in my cupboard, will never be sold to anyone! it has my sweat, blood, heart, battle scars and tears on each stick. Big wins and bad losses as well.

- 1 x Prince POG OS
- 2 x Head LM Radical OS
- 2 x Head Microgel Prestige Pro
- 3 x Pro Kennex Black Ace 98
- 2 x Head Youtek Prestige Pro
- 1 x Head PT57A, Microgel model
- 2 x Donnay Pro One 97, 16 x 19

I prefer to play with the Black ace and my pt, these 2 feel the best!
But this pro one gets the job, cant beat the power, spin, and control the P1 provides. comfort and special feel is a bonus.

[RollTrackTake]

as much as i like the Pro 1 (16x19), I don't see it as very good in terms of control. maybe compared to Pure Drives and the like it slightly edges them on control but it's no where near the control level of a Prestige, Radical, Pure Storm, etc... I would love to try the 18x20 version out to see how much more control you get from the denser string pattern.

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

as much as i like the Pro 1 (16x19), I don't see it as very good in terms of control. maybe compared to Pure Drives and the like it slightly edges them on control but it's no where near the control level of a Prestige, Radical, Pure Storm, etc... I would love to try the 18x20 version out to see how much more control you get from the denser string pattern.

Agree, p1 has more control than tweeners, but not 18 x 20 prestiges and the like. but tennis is really turning into a spin and power game these days. less touch and volleys.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

Agree, p1 has more control than tweeners, but not 18 x 20 prestiges and the like. but tennis is really turning into a spin and power game these days. less touch and volleys.

good point. it's that reason why I'm using the Pro 1. IMO it gives you everything the popular tweeners offer and edges them in comfort and yes to a small degree control. Backhand slice really shine for me as well.
The Pro 1 really is an interesting racquet in that it doesn't have standard tweener specs (100" head, 11oz-ish static, low 300's SW, 22mm+beam). But it offers the power of PD and its clones. Maybe its more of a lite players racquet? BTW, the Yonex E Zone XI 98 looks very similar on paper

[ramos77]

Practiced serves for 1.5 hours today, the more I serve with it the more I love it..

Definitely sticking to this racquet, might even get a third one when I start playing comps..

Played around with strings but full bed of babolat vs 16 touch at 58 pounds is perfect for me. First string job still going strong.

[Dgdavid]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

i dont know why you see this as useful but i hope it helps you in some way or another.

i spend about 12-15 p/week on the courts, mostly drills and practice then some matches. our club has a decent pro shop so we demo all we like right there and then, (whoever breaks strings on demos, pays for a new set). i bought quite a few racquets over the years, (heaps of babolat too) but the ones i will mention sits in my cupboard, will never be sold to anyone! it has my sweat, blood, heart, battle scars and tears on each stick. Big wins and bad losses as well.

- 1 x Prince POG OS
- 2 x Head LM Radical OS
- 2 x Head Microgel Prestige Pro
- 3 x Pro Kennex Black Ace 98
- 2 x Head Youtek Prestige Pro
- 1 x Head PT57A, Microgel model
- 2 x Donnay Pro One 97, 16 x 19

I prefer to play with the Black ace and my pt, these 2 feel the best!
But this pro one gets the job, cant beat the power, spin, and control the P1 provides. comfort and special feel is a bonus.

Useful because it gives me some idea of if I might like it too if other users have used with rackets I also like. Donnay is the only make that cannot be demoed in the UK and is also pretty expensive compared to other frames as they have to come in from Europe. About 30% more than normal.

As it happens, Radicals, POG OS and Prestiges are in my racket history too!
Thanks for your response, appreciated.

[JackB1]

Played for a few hours tonite with the Pro One and came away very impressed. Swingweight is higher than my PD12, but I think I can adjust to it. The racquet is heavy enough to do some of the work for you plowing thru the ball. Very SOLID feel on impact and when you crack a semi flat shot through the court, it feels awesome. Definitely a great racquet for driving the ball as opposed to loopy donnay shots, which I do more with the PD. Serves were booming and I was hitting a low flat hard serve, which I don't normally do. Nice feel also and volleys and net play were great. I am just wondering if this may be too much racquet for a 3.5-4.0 level player? It feels closer to a 95" than a 100" for a 97" headsize. No real complaints yet, but I have to see how this higher swingweight works out for me.