New TT Forum Member Needs Advice on 2 Racquets

[omega4]

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to this site and could use your help.

I'm trying to decide between the Donnay Formula 100 and Pro One 16x19 and would appreciate any advice.

After searching on this topic on this forum and reading quite a few posts, I noticed that a quite a few forum members started out playing the Donnay Formula 100 and enjoyed using it, but then switched 4-5 months later to the Donnay Pro One 16x19.

Was there a common reason why?

I'm starting to get back into tennis after about 20 years (I'm 41 now). I used to play competitive high school tennis (#3 singles, #2 doubles) and was a decent player (about a 4.0 - 4.5).

I'm was an aggressive baseliner and but would move to the net whenever the opportunity presents itself. I imagine I'd still do the same today.

I have a one handed forehand and two-handed backhead. My primary serve is topspin/sidespin but I can hit it flat when needed.

Thanks again for your help.

[corners]

Originally Posted by omega4

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to this site and could use your help.

I'm trying to decide between the Donnay Formula 100 and Pro One 16x19 and would appreciate any advice.

After searching on this topic on this forum and reading quite a few posts, I noticed that a quite a few forum members started out playing the Donnay Formula 100 and enjoyed using it, but then switched 4-5 months later to the Donnay Pro One 16x19.

Was there a common reason why?

I'm starting to get back into tennis after about 20 years (I'm 41 now). I used to play competitive high school tennis (#3 singles, #2 doubles) and was a decent player (about a 4.0 - 4.5).

I'm was an aggressive baseliner and but would move to the net whenever the opportunity presents itself. I imagine I'd still do the same today.

I have a one handed forehand and two-handed backhead. My primary serve is topspin/sidespin but I can hit it flat when needed.

Thanks again for your help.

It might depend on how big you are. The Formula could be compared to the Babolat Pure Drive, indeed TW's playtesters pretty much said it was a Pure Drive with better feel and comfort. The Pro One could be compared, by specs and by experimentally measured power potential, to the Pure Drive Roddick, a heavier and more solid version of the Pure Drive. If you are smaller in stature you might find the Formula easier to swing, but if you're a big guy the Pro One would be a better fit. That said, stature isn't everything. A lot of people that visit these boards "graduate" from lighter sticks to heavier sticks. Some of them then go back to lighter sticks and some tend to yoyo back and forth, because both light and heavy sticks have their advantages. Some people can't decide which advantages are more advantageous for their games.

And regardless of stature, there is technique to consider. Given your age, I imagine you have somewhat "old school" technique - you tend to drive the ball with topspin rather than brushing up the back of it in the windshield wiper style. If that's the case, the lightness of the Formula might not do you any good, as it's designed for brushing, and the heft and plowthrough of the Pro One would be a better fit. I'm biased towards heavier, more flexible racquets myself, even though I'm short and hit with "modern" technique. I think, especially for the aging player, arm health has to be considered, and even though the Formula is supposed to be pretty comfortable, the Pro One will be safer for your joints. So I say Pro One, but you should demo both if you can. If you do, you might want to throw the Donnay Gold 99 into the mix too. Despite the super-thin beams of the X-Dual series, they have surprisingly good pop, and an older school feel that might remind you of some of the frames of your youth.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by corners

It might depend on how big you are. The Formula could be compared to the Babolat Pure Drive, indeed TW's playtesters pretty much said it was a Pure Drive with better feel and comfort. The Pro One could be compared, by specs and by experimentally measured power potential, to the Pure Drive Roddick, a heavier and more solid version of the Pure Drive. If you are smaller in stature you might find the Formula easier to swing, but if you're a big guy the Pro One would be a better fit. That said, stature isn't everything. A lot of people that visit these boards "graduate" from lighter sticks to heavier sticks. Some of them then go back to lighter sticks and some tend to yoyo back and forth, because both light and heavy sticks have their advantages. Some people can't decide which advantages are more advantageous for their games.

And regardless of stature, there is technique to consider. Given your age, I imagine you have somewhat "old school" technique - you tend to drive the ball with topspin rather than brushing up the back of it in the windshield wiper style. If that's the case, the lightness of the Formula might not do you any good, as it's designed for brushing, and the heft and plowthrough of the Pro One would be a better fit. I'm biased towards heavier, more flexible racquets myself, even though I'm short and hit with "modern" technique. I think, especially for the aging player, arm health has to be considered, and even though the Formula is supposed to be pretty comfortable, the Pro One will be safer for your joints. So I say Pro One, but you should demo both if you can. If you do, you might want to throw the Donnay Gold 99 into the mix too. Despite the super-thin beams of the X-Dual series, they have surprisingly good pop, and an older school feel that might remind you of some of the frames of your youth.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm 5'9", 165 lbs. Pretty good athletic shape (I work out about 1.5 hrs a day, 6 days a week).

You're right about my technique. I used to use a "old school" technique where you drive the ball with topspin (forehand and backhand).

But I'm open to learning the new techniques if that's what it takes to use the new, modern racquets.

Do you think the Pro One midsize is better for me than the Pro One OS (oversize)?

My old stick was the Head Trisys 260 (Austrian version).

Thanks.

[corners]

Originally Posted by omega4

Thanks for the reply.

I'm 5'9", 165 lbs. Pretty good athletic shape (I work out about 1.5 hrs a day, 6 days a week).

You're right about my technique. I used to use a "old school" technique where you drive the ball with topspin (forehand and backhand).

But I'm open to learning the new techniques if that's what it takes to use the new, modern racquets.

Do you think the Pro One midsize is better for me than the Pro One OS (oversize)?

My old stick was the Head Trisys 260 (Austrian version).

Thanks.

Naw, stick with the technique you already worked for. I'd go Pro One. The 97 or OS would both be good but since you used OS in the past and your eyesight isn't going to improve from here, why not go OS again?

[lcalamar]

I'd look at volkl or yonnex 100's. you'll get more for the money than some of the sexier brands.

you'll get more comfort and great all around sticks.

as always, demo, demo, demo.... take out two at a time, find a favorite then keep seeing if you like something better.

[Hi I'm Ray]

Originally Posted by omega4

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to this site and could use your help.

I'm trying to decide between the Donnay Formula 100 and Pro One 16x19 and would appreciate any advice.

After searching on this topic on this forum and reading quite a few posts, I noticed that a quite a few forum members started out playing the Donnay Formula 100 and enjoyed using it, but then switched 4-5 months later to the Donnay Pro One 16x19.

Was there a common reason why?

I'm starting to get back into tennis after about 20 years (I'm 41 now). I used to play competitive high school tennis (#3 singles, #2 doubles) and was a decent player (about a 4.0 - 4.5).

I'm was an aggressive baseliner and but would move to the net whenever the opportunity presents itself. I imagine I'd still do the same today.

I have a one handed forehand and two-handed backhead. My primary serve is topspin/sidespin but I can hit it flat when needed.

Thanks again for your help.

Demo if you can, there were a couple of frames that sounded great on paper and really wanted to like but turned out to be a terrible fit when I tried them, then there were others that I put on the demo order only because of a promo offer but I ended up really liking. Take advantage of TW's demo program if you are in the cont. US and don't have local demos of those frames.

I tried the Pro 1 16x19 MP & Formula 100, both were really great frames. The Pro 1 is what I consider to be a very user friendly players racket - traditional feel, flex, control, and swings much heavier than specs indicate, but with more pop than I expect from a players frame and a big sweetspot.
Formula 100 is very very similar to an APD, and not as stiff or powerful as a PD, imo. Great feel and good comfort for a tweener.
You can add lead to any frame so I really don't consider the stock weight and swingweight differences too much. If you like heavier frames and don't like to mod too much, the Pro 1 would be a good fit.

If you haven't tried a modern tweener you'll just have to use one to see if you like it (better w/some lead, IMO). BTW, like you I took a long break. I ended up with a leaded up tweener, swings heftier than some 12oz players frames. I'd just stick with my old rackets if I wanted a players frame.

[RollTrackTake]

Originally Posted by omega4

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to this site and could use your help.

I'm trying to decide between the Donnay Formula 100 and Pro One 16x19 and would appreciate any advice.

After searching on this topic on this forum and reading quite a few posts, I noticed that a quite a few forum members started out playing the Donnay Formula 100 and enjoyed using it, but then switched 4-5 months later to the Donnay Pro One 16x19.

Was there a common reason why?

I'm starting to get back into tennis after about 20 years (I'm 41 now). I used to play competitive high school tennis (#3 singles, #2 doubles) and was a decent player (about a 4.0 - 4.5).

I'm was an aggressive baseliner and but would move to the net whenever the opportunity presents itself. I imagine I'd still do the same today.

I have a one handed forehand and two-handed backhead. My primary serve is topspin/sidespin but I can hit it flat when needed.

Thanks again for your help.

based on your style & history, Pro 1 seems like a good fit.

[omega4]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I really appreciate it.

I've been an avid golfer during my time away from tennis (8 handicap). But it's become harder to spend 4+ hours on the golf course on weekends as I've gotten older, so I'm looking to get back into tennis where I can spend a couple of hours playing instead.

I used to think finding the perfect golf club (drivers, irons, wedges, etc.) and balls (spin, distance, etc.) was a challenge. But I see now that it was child's play after researching which tennis racquet frame, strings, tension, etc. to get.

Granted, at least some businesses like TW allow you to demo racquets, but still, finding the "perfect" combination seems like a daunting task at best.

My thanks again to all of you.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by corners

Naw, stick with the technique you already worked for. I'd go Pro One. The 97 or OS would both be good but since you used OS in the past and your eyesight isn't going to improve from here, why not go OS again?

I think my only concern about going Pro One OS is that I may not be able to control its power, even if I strung it with a full bed of poly. My research indicates that the Pro One OS is a lot more powerful than its midsize version.

When I'm just rallying, it's easier for me to dial back my swing speed. But during a match in the heat of battle, the adrenaline kicks in and I can take some pretty quick swipes at the ball.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by lcalamar

I'd look at volkl or yonnex 100's. you'll get more for the money than some of the sexier brands.

you'll get more comfort and great all around sticks.

as always, demo, demo, demo.... take out two at a time, find a favorite then keep seeing if you like something better.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm now looking at the Volkl Organix V1 Racquet. Seems to be have great feedback.

[lcalamar]

Originally Posted by omega4

Thanks for the advice.

I'm now looking at the Volkl Organix V1 Racquet. Seems to be have great feedback.

let us know what you think of the V1.

I have an X8 and went to that racquet after demoing all head and babolat as well as a couple wilsons. I switched from prince and never thought I'd leave prince.

everything should be on the table... lots of brand bias out there.

there are a lot of great all around mids out there that you won't go wrong with.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by lcalamar

let us know what you think of the V1.

I have an X8 and went to that racquet after demoing all head and babolat as well as a couple wilsons. I switched from prince and never thought I'd leave prince.

everything should be on the table... lots of brand bias out there.

there are a lot of great all around mids out there that you won't go wrong with.

Well, I had a chance to demo the Donnay Pro One 97 (16x19), Donnay Formula 100, Volkl Organix V1 midsize, and the Yonex Vcore 100 S.

For ME, the winner was.... the Yonex Vcore 100 S.

I didn't really worry about the type of strings in the demo racquets or their tension, as I'm looking to play tennis recreationally (league or not). My main goals were to find a racquet that didn't feel too stiff as to injure me down the road, had a decent sized sweet spot, didn't require TOO much modding with lead tape and the like, and powerful but not TOO powerful as to require too much effort on my part to keep shots from flying out of the court with my fast swing speed.

I felt the Yonex Vcore 100 S accomplished all that, more or less. At least it did so for me to a greater extent than the other racquets.

The Volkl Organix V1 was nice but too light of a racquet for me.

The Formula 100 was nice but too powerful.

The Pro One was nice but I prefer a head size of at least 100 sq inches. If I had a one handed backhand, I probably would have gone for the Pro One with its smaller head.

My thanks again to all who chimed in. It's a little mind boggling just how many racquets there are on the marketplace to choose from. And I thought finding a nice set of golf irons was difficult! It's a walk in the park compared to finding a tennis racquet.

[lcalamar]

Good to hear you found something you like. Not surprising you found the V1 to be on the light side...

I need to try out that Yonex myself - have heard great things.

[omega4]

Originally Posted by lcalamar

Good to hear you found something you like. Not surprising you found the V1 to be on the light side...

I need to try out that Yonex myself - have heard great things.

Thank you very much.

I appreciate your and everyone's opinions and advice on finding a new racquet. There's something to be said for demoing a racquet just to be sure that the specs on paper sync up with real-world situations on the court.

I found the Yonex Vcore 100 S to be a tweener racquet in more ways than one. Not only is it a tweener that bridges a true players and beginners racquet, I found that it also was a tweener that bridged my old school swing style and that of the modern swing by easily accommodating both styles to a certain extent.

If I used a 1 handed backhand, I probably would've gone with the Pro One 97 with its smaller headsize. But with my 2 handed backhand, I felt more comfortable with the large headsize of the Yonex. Best of all, I could take an aggressive swing with the Yonex (with its low / medium power) without worrying about the ball sailing out of the court.