Donnay Pro One 97 users club

[ChicagoJack]

Hi All,

There's been a few questions about the power difs between the PD and P1 :

1. The 2012 PD was my last frame, and tho it was only a three month fling, I'm comfy comparing. I tend to think about power, control, and swing speed as all related to each other, so forgive me for stomping all over those nice neat distinctions!

2. The PD is swingweight 308, the P1 is swingweight 327. Huuuuge dif right there. If you can swing the same speed, the P1 is more powerful for sure.

3. I'm getting waaaay more control outta my P1's and since I don't need to swing wild to get decent depth on a normal rally ball, I'm actually framing the ball less than I did with the 100. I feel like I can place the ball in spots, not areas with the P1. I'd initially ruled out the P1 because I'd been playing 100-102 frames. But the payoff in placement confidence is a good trade.

4. When I get the chance to hit deep corner, the P1 understands what I'm trying to do. With the PD I'd have to swing a bit too fast for my personal timing golden zone, and then just control the ball with spin.

5. I couldn't play the PD stock at all. The ball just beats that thing up in stock form. I have no idea where all this "rocket launcher" verbiage associated with the Babolat line comes from. I had mine leaded to ~345 sw, with 6 grams at 3:00 and 9:00, a whole gob in the palette, and about 9 points HL. That's about where I felt I was able to beat up on the ball, not vice versa. With the P1 I don't use lead at all. Quite a shocker for me because I order lead by the roll, I'm a complete tweak freak when it comes to my sticks. I have two sets of the weight slides, and don't use them. The P1 is freakishly and inexplicably stable in stock form. I have a layer and a half of grip, one overgrip, a dampener, and that's it. Done. Good to go. Ready to rock.

6. Impact feel. Oh man, just no comparison. Hollow, harsh, buzzy for the PD. Firm, damp, sweet on the P1.

7. Regarding the swingweight issue, I think a big part of this is perception. I played at sw 365 all of childhood and much of my college years, then few months with my PD leaded to 345. The P1 (at 327 stock) felt like a feather when I played my first few sets with it. While it certainly doesn't feel sluggish, that "feather" like sensation has since vanished, leaving me pondering stuff like trimming the bumpers etc.. as an effort to get that "wow this feels like a feather" feeling back. I know this is a fools errand, because I will only end up chasing my tail for another perception which will also be fleeting!

Last thought: The PD is a tweener for sure, but with the 327 swingweight, I don't think the P1 belongs in that category. If you are shopping for something in the low 300 sw range, the P1 isnt a good fit. There is a huge dead spot in the market right now. Go looking for an arm friendly frame with an open pattern, something that gives you some pop, but is still very control oriented... you will find a pretty small menu to choose from. Pd is too stiff, good spin, but not enough control. IG MP Prestige is a really sweet hit but closed pattern, and lacks pop. IG Prestige Pro is open pattern but is a harsh hit. Lots of frames have either control, power, comfort, or spin potential, but frames that have all of those qualities are pretty special. That's what has me so enamored with the P1.

Also, might have a look at the TW power potential & sweet zone map below:


-Jack

[chizzle]

Spot on, ChicagoJack. In many ways, they don't even seem comparable.

But to me, the p1 has more controllable power for sure. Muuuuch better feel. Which all leads to more control IMO.

Had my third hit with it tonight, was fantastic again. Strung with TB 1.25

[atatu]

Well, I had almost convinced myself to buy a PD to replace my P1's. Got the demos in yesterday (regular and Roddick versions) and hit with them tonight along with my P1's. No comparison, the P1 is just as powerful with more control and more comfort. I'm really glad I demoed them first.

[neverstopplaying]

Nice comments above Jack.

You nailed it in point 5. I prefer an aggressive game and the P1 has amazing put away power. For its stock weight and SW, it excels.

As far as the gap in racquets that you are referring to, I had previously filled this gap with a leaded 400T. It offers similar results to the P1 with a lower net SW (around 316) after modifications. After testing the P1, my 1st inclination was to bring up the SW on the Dunlop, but I ended up taking the easy route by selling them and buying a few more P1s.

[DrewRafter8]

What's the lowest flex you guys are finding on these P1's? Jack, I'm with you as far as the past few months. I shredded my elbow on my PD+ and have put it down. I'm thinking I'll switch to the P1, Gold99, or to the IG Radical Pro. As much as I like what I've read about the P1, I've really liked the low flex of the IG Rad Pro. The higher swingweight doesn't bother me. My BD+ weighed about 340 so the swingweight was up there. I've been playing with a standard Ti Radical with silicone at 350 grams until I can switch. I've got to demo the P1 and will get a chance to hit with the Gold soon.

[ChicagoJack]

Hi Drew -

1. The flex rating has been a pretty hot topic in the thread, but here's the short answer: The P1 ranges mostly from 65-68 (unstrung, going by the bar code stickers).with 67 being the most common. Once the it is strung however, the frame will be a bit softer.

2. If you are comparing the flex of the P1 to the flex of the IG rad pro, and trying to figure out implied arm safety, consider that the P1 is solid core, head to toe, and the Rad Pro is not. The difference in vibration and impact feel is easy to grasp even with just a simple thought experiment. Imagine hitting a baseball with a hollow aluminum bat, recall that high pitched "ping" sound common with college baseball. Now imagine hitting a fastball with a solid wooden bat. Which do you think will have the most vibration and shock? You already know the answer.

3. As a longtime HEAD player, I really like the IG Radical Pro, and the IG Prestige MP. I think they are the best HEAD frames since the Prestige Classic era. These two were the most serious competition to the P1 when I was doing all of my demos. You might find my mini review a few pages back somewhere. If you are going to demo, I'd suggest the IG Prestige MP goes on your demo list for sure, it's listed as 62 but plays much softer IMO.

4. By the way, how's your Achilles holding up? Hope you are back to playing and healing up nicely!


Hi Chizzle - Yeah cool, Tour bite is pretty awesome, I love that string, but may arm hates it!. If you ever start feeling that way, (or as a preventative measure) you might give a go with Dunlop Black Widow 18, which are also textured poly, but much softer, and compares really favorably performance wise. Check the string stiffness digits here:
http://www.racquetsportsindustry.com...ctor_2012.html

Neverstoppedplaying, atatu - Yeah agreed, and thanks.

-Jack

[DrewRafter8]

Jack,

I was double checking with the flex. If it's under 65 strung, then the P1 stays in the running. As far as the flex of it versus the Rad Pro, I'm thinking more personal preference and less about my arm. My elbow was immediately better after I put down the PD and went with a flexy racquet. I was playing with my Dunlop MW200G, but it's too hard for me to play with at a high level. The Ti Radical I've been hitting with works, but it's an 18x20 pattern.

As far as the IG Prestige goes, the owner of the racquet club I play at has two of the anniversary sticks on the way. I may try them out, but I much prefer a 16x19 over the 18x20.

The achilles is a daily struggle. Hurts some days and others it's ok. I'm still waiting on the custom insoles after the Doc made custom molds. If that doesn't fix the problem I'm going on crutches for the entire month of December to let everything heal.

Thanks!

[Xonemains]

ChicagoJack, another great post backed by some graph. Awesome!

[Xonemains]

Originally Posted by atatu

Well, I had almost convinced myself to buy a PD to replace my P1's. Got the demos in yesterday (regular and Roddick versions) and hit with them tonight along with my P1's. No comparison, the P1 is just as powerful with more control and more comfort. I'm really glad I demoed them first.

Lol, what where you thinking at that time? I just want to know. Was the P1 missing something that you want?

Like a 100 size? Faster sw? Better paint job?

[atatu]

Originally Posted by Xonemains

Lol, what where you thinking at that time? I just want to know. Was the P1 missing something that you want?

Like a 100 size? Faster sw? Better paint job?

Yup, all of the above the be honest. The truth is that right after I got smoked in doubles by a guy ten years older than me, I started noticing that a lot of 4.5+ who were older are using the PD. The fact that some have said the P1 is more like a 95" got me to thinking...and the painjob is pretty nice ! But 20 minutes of using the PD and the P1 side by side answered all my doubts.

[Mig1NC]

Check it out, the Pro One actually has a larger spin window than the PD2012 using the default settings in the TWU tool.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-...ker.cgi#output

So that wider 100" frame buys you nothing for modern topspin shots.

EDIT: Never mind, I was looking at the old Pro One. The modern Pro One doesn't seem to populate in the tool correctly.

[mrrockstar]

Just bought the X-Dual Pro, strung at Mantis Comfort Poly17/ Mantis Comfort Synthetic Poly16 (53lbs/53lbs), the feel of hitting is so dead, no ball pocketing feeling, no power, just like hitting a frying pan

Is there any diff between X-Dual Pro and Pro One 97 18x20?

Thanks!

[stronzzi70]

demoed 3 weeks ago V core 89.....fell in love...can change to another racquets now...that mean bye P1 97 16x19.....US 140 shipped, tennismedd@yahoo.com if you need pictures.

[TheLambsheadrep]

mrrockstar, would you be willing to sell/trade the x dual pro? please email me at ap_rockandroll @ yahoo . com

[Mig1NC]

Originally Posted by stronzzi70

demoed 3 weeks ago V core 89.....fell in love...can change to another racquets now...that mean bye P1 97 16x19.....US 140 shipped, tennismedd@yahoo.com if you need pictures.

What made you choose to switch to the V core?

[stronzzi70]

Originally Posted by Mig1NC

What made you choose to switch to the V core?

was everything,,,,,,,mostly control....

[DrewRafter8]

Jack,

After two outings with the Gold 99 and Pro One 16x19, I feel that you and I must really like the same style of sticks. I too hit the biggest serves that I have ever hit with the Pro One. I'm having a hard time deciding which stick I like better. The Pro One isn't as flexy as the Gold and I think that I like the Gold's feel. I'm used to hitting with a higher swingweight and static weight then both of these sticks. The Gold99 is really tough for me to really dial in the serve so far. The low swingweight takes me more time to adjust to. However, after hitting with it for some more time today, I could hit almost with the same pace on serve as I did with the Pro One. Good thing I've got about 3 weeks to really test these sticks out.

Thanks again for the recommendations Jack! With us going through the same thing with the Black Drive, I really valued your recommendations and you were on the money!

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by mrrockstar

Just bought the X-Dual Pro, strung at Mantis Comfort Poly17/ Mantis Comfort Synthetic Poly16 (53lbs/53lbs), the feel of hitting is so dead, no ball pocketing feeling, no power, just like hitting a frying pan

Is there any diff between X-Dual Pro and Pro One 97 18x20?

Thanks!

I had an X Dual Pro then got a P1 18x20. The P1 version had a better feel to it IMO. Can't put my finger on what it was since they are supposed to be the same stick. The X Dual Pro felt boardy. I had it strung with a multi at 58lbs so maybe I just needed to lower the tension. I strung the P1 18x20 with a multi at 58lbs and the feedback I got when hitting felt better/more responsive. However, the results I got with each racquet were similar. So it was really just an esoteric feel thing.

[ChicagoJack]

Originally Posted by DrewRafter8

Jack,

After two outings with the Gold 99 and Pro One 16x19, I feel that you and I must really like the same style of sticks. I too hit the biggest serves that I have ever hit with the Pro One. I'm having a hard time deciding which stick I like better. The Pro One isn't as flexy as the Gold and I think that I like the Gold's feel. I'm used to hitting with a higher swingweight and static weight then both of these sticks. The Gold99 is really tough for me to really dial in the serve so far. The low swingweight takes me more time to adjust to. However, after hitting with it for some more time today, I could hit almost with the same pace on serve as I did with the Pro One. Good thing I've got about 3 weeks to really test these sticks out.

Thanks again for the recommendations Jack! With us going through the same thing with the Black Drive, I really valued your recommendations and you were on the money!

Drew -

Sounds awesome! Yeah the three week free demos are quite a luxury. The impact feel of all the Donnay's I've hit with is really quite unique. Since you are technique grooved to hitting with a higher mass and SW, I'm thinking the weight slides might be something to try out, especially with the Gold 99. I have two slide kits sitting here that I'm not using. If you shoot me your address I could drop one in the mail as a loaner for your demo. Post office 1 block away from my office in the city, no trouble for me at all. Just send it back after your demo. If you want to keep it we could figure out a price.

chicagojack.tennis @ comcast dot net

(off topic) Good luck with your custom orthotics, for some people it's almost a miracle cure. Certainly worth a try. Took me like 2-3 years to finally wriggle free of my achilles problems. I play 100% pain free today. It might be frustrating but it can be done. Only difference today is I practice prevention. I try to avoid playing more than 2-3 days in a row. For my weekend travel tournaments, when I might play several matches both days, I give myself the following Mon-wed to fully recover. I have my fingers crossed for ya.

- Jack

[mrrockstar]

Originally Posted by RollTrackTake

I had an X Dual Pro then got a P1 18x20. The P1 version had a better feel to it IMO. Can't put my finger on what it was since they are supposed to be the same stick. The X Dual Pro felt boardy. I had it strung with a multi at 58lbs so maybe I just needed to lower the tension. I strung the P1 18x20 with a multi at 58lbs and the feedback I got when hitting felt better/more responsive. However, the results I got with each racquet were similar. So it was really just an esoteric feel thing.

yes, the X Dual Pro feel very boardy, even same stringing spec to my ProKennex Qtour