New Donnay X-Series - My Thoughts
- Thread starter Kal-El 34
- Start date
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
yea going to be doing some work with them moving forward
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
yea man i havent got to the black 99 review but BE PATIENT it's coming haha. if i got paid to sit around and write these reviews i'd do them all day, but unfortunately i am not haha.
i am with you though on the black 99 and the blue 99. i do seem to prefer the blue with it being a bit stiffer on the blue 99. i felt the opposite about the blue 94 and the black 94. i have had no problems cracking big shots with either though
and yes once i get done with the individual reviews i plan on doing some comparisons and things like that
10ACE
Professional
TW measures the frame unstrung compaired to strung or vice versa I forget.
Anyway I purchased the Blue 99.
Last edited:
tlm
G.O.A.T.
So you are saying that the tw listing is correct? I hope so i do not like a racket that is to stiff. Did you think the white played comfortable enough, or was it harsh at all.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
i think tenniswarehouse is pretty accurate in the way they measure things. they seem to take the average of the batch they were sent, and i've noticed the quality control on the Donnays to be very consistent.
i did not find the white to be harsh whatsoever. in fact, i've had a few people trade in their power series frames for the white - so they found it comfortable as well
also if you are worried about it being too stiff, maybe check out the white and the yellow...
10ACE
Professional
I actually talked to Donnay about this and gave my reason above. I will talk with them soon to refresh my memory.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I was wondering the same thing, i dont mind the weight but i would prefer a racket that weighs almost 12 ounces to be at least 7 points HL. The blue 99 is one of the demos that i will be receiving tomorrow so should find out then.
Consolation
Rookie
I have 3 (got them matched). They are 345g with OG, 2g dampner, 5g buttcap, and all 3 stock slides in. Balance is 31.9 (~7pts HL). Very maneuverable. I was initially using the 0g cap for singles (changes balance ~0.4cm) and the 5g cap for doubles, but decided I liked the added tailweight all the time.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
niiiiice yea same way here. ive actually been playing the blue 99 with the leather grip with a few overgrips on it and the 5g cap in the bottom. threw the white strips in the sides for nice color effect. loving it
yea man i havent got to the black 99 review but BE PATIENT it's coming haha. if i got paid to sit around and write these reviews i'd do them all day, but unfortunately i am not haha.
i am with you though on the black 99 and the blue 99. i do seem to prefer the blue with it being a bit stiffer on the blue 99. i felt the opposite about the blue 94 and the black 94. i have had no problems cracking big shots with either though
and yes once i get done with the individual reviews i plan on doing some comparisons and things like that
so in the 94 size, which one do you prefer black or blue, and what would be the main difference. I love the way the black looks, but i am afraid it will be too flexible(59) and rubbery..? As i find that to be the case in the Redondo mid. Also, between the two, whick one has stability? Thanks
B
backatcha
Guest
so in the 94 size, which one do you prefer black or blue, and what would be the main difference. I love the way the black looks, but i am afraid it will be too flexible(59) and rubbery..? As i find that to be the case in the Redondo mid. Also, between the two, whick one has stability? Thanks
Please don't be concerned about the flex... neither the Blue or Black feel too flexible or "rubbery". The difference is very subtle. Based on his reviews, Kal-El seemed to prefer the Black 94 to the Blue 94.
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
you are correct here. i did prefer the black to the blue in the 94. i felt the blue was a little too stiff at times. there were just times i was going for shots and because the frame was stiff the pop i was looking for just wasnt happening. this was not an issue with the black. however, it was reversed in the 99 where i liked the blue 99 to the black 99.
none of the donnays feel too flexible to where they are rubbery. very classic feel on all of them.
Wicked4hand
Rookie
I did try the black one @ tennis warehouse (indian wells) hmmm it feels dead n i didnt like it..... Maybe they didnt put the right string?????
ok thanks, which one of them plays more like the ps85, my current racket..? And the foam inside the frame refers to inside the grip or the whole frame?
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
The black or red 94+ probably. You may like the dark red 94 as well.
The foam goes through the entire racquet
Consolation
Rookie
None. There are no current racquets that play like the 85. All the donnays are more forgiving, more maneuverable and more powerful.
I played with various versions of the PS for 20 years until 1 year ago. The PSC was a great racquet, but it's a thing of the past. If you really enjoy playing it, don't even bother looking for a new racquet. Pretty much any racquet you try will be a significant departure.
Having said that, I did want to move on. After trying a lot of racquets over the last year, I settled on the blue 99. I made a separate thread, but the short version was I didn't feel the 99s sacrificed anything compared to the 94s, but added power and forgiveness. Having played PSs my entire tennis career, I liked the slightly stiffer feel of the Blues.
Are you reviewing the Donnay X-Orange?
Also, regarding the White. I like rackets in the high ten oz to low 11 oz. I'm wondering, what's the best way to get the White to have a little more head lightness? What if the 10 gram buttcap is put on, with no inserts. How would this change the balance which is listed as 3 pts. head light? I'm looking for about 5-6 pts. head light but no more than about 11.1 or 11.2 oz. Can I customize the white to get me that? If so, is there enough pop for a fairly fast swing speed?
Also, can the power of the X-white be greatly influenced by the string set-up? Do you agree with Donnay's recommended hybrid set up and tensions they recommend? What's a good hybrid set up to maximize power?
Also, regarding the White. I like rackets in the high ten oz to low 11 oz. I'm wondering, what's the best way to get the White to have a little more head lightness? What if the 10 gram buttcap is put on, with no inserts. How would this change the balance which is listed as 3 pts. head light? I'm looking for about 5-6 pts. head light but no more than about 11.1 or 11.2 oz. Can I customize the white to get me that? If so, is there enough pop for a fairly fast swing speed?
Also, can the power of the X-white be greatly influenced by the string set-up? Do you agree with Donnay's recommended hybrid set up and tensions they recommend? What's a good hybrid set up to maximize power?
WinNCash
Rookie
Dumb question
Okay dumb question... is a pt basically the same as a mm?
That has been bugging me for a while now.:-?
On the website it says that if you use the 5g butt cap it will move the racquet balance to -5mm. If that helps.
Okay dumb question... is a pt basically the same as a mm?
That has been bugging me for a while now.:-?
On the website it says that if you use the 5g butt cap it will move the racquet balance to -5mm. If that helps.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I tried out the white last night. I played a match with my regular racket, then we played another set for fun so i used the white. I would call it a light players racket, great control.
It had alu mains with a syn. x's, which i did not like in the least. That set up made the racket to dead for me. I am changing the strings to a 17 gauge multi at 50 lbs to see how that works. As far as making it more hl i was thinking that also before i used it, but it swings so fast+easy that should not be a concern.
This racket weighed 10.7 ounces without an overwrap, it was 4 points hl. There was no weight in the cap, but it did have the standard 3 gram strips in the head.
I just played 2 sets+won so when playing the practice set with the white i was really going for my shots. I could rip my groundies with no fear of the ball going out, this racket has great control. But like i said i thought the poly main made it way to dead.
I was not getting as much spin with the white like i was the kobra that i used in the match. But i think the string job just made it to dead. I am going to hit with the white today with new string job, plus i will try out the red 99 also. I will report on how that goes later tonight or tomorrow.
It had alu mains with a syn. x's, which i did not like in the least. That set up made the racket to dead for me. I am changing the strings to a 17 gauge multi at 50 lbs to see how that works. As far as making it more hl i was thinking that also before i used it, but it swings so fast+easy that should not be a concern.
This racket weighed 10.7 ounces without an overwrap, it was 4 points hl. There was no weight in the cap, but it did have the standard 3 gram strips in the head.
I just played 2 sets+won so when playing the practice set with the white i was really going for my shots. I could rip my groundies with no fear of the ball going out, this racket has great control. But like i said i thought the poly main made it way to dead.
I was not getting as much spin with the white like i was the kobra that i used in the match. But i think the string job just made it to dead. I am going to hit with the white today with new string job, plus i will try out the red 99 also. I will report on how that goes later tonight or tomorrow.
Okay dumb question... is a pt basically the same as a mm?
That has been bugging me for a while now.:-?
On the website it says that if you use the 5g butt cap it will move the racquet balance to -5mm. If that helps.
I believe a point is 1/8" in a specific direction. That is 3.175mm per point if I'm correct about that...
joeellis
Rookie
1/8" is correct. A racquet that is 9 pts. HL for example, will have an equivelence of 12 3/8".
I have a TW balance board at home. I will try and take pictures tonight and post them so everyone can see how these values are determined. Basically, you lign up the end cap flush with a predetermined line on the board and rotate a rod that the head rests on. There are different lines on the board for different length racquets. The end cap lines up with the appropriate length racquet.
The rod is rotated in one direction for HL racquets and the other direction for HH racquets.
Does anyone know the formula to figure swing weight? I know the static weight and balance point of my racquets, but I'm not sure how to figure swing weight.
bertrevert
Legend
Much thanks tlm for the report
So if you were really going for your groundies and they were staying in, but you weren't getting the spin, I guess you'd conclude the power level was about right - you were playing flatter but basically the ball was going in.
Poly is about taming the power sometimes and offering up more spin.
With yr next setup with multi y'll get more power but surely y'll lose the spin from the poly?
Anyway it swung fast+easy yeah? That sounds gd. Thin beam and you can still increase the HL with the buttcap weights.
What about serve with it? Was the hoop stiff or too noodly? I'd hate to have that Yonex vagueness in the upper hoop. How about feel? Forgiving even tho stiff? Muted or raw?
Any feedback appreciated. ps. nice look to it? :?:
Looking forward to hearing Tim's latest experience with the X-White.
I think the X-White is very similar in specs to the Boris Becker 11 Light, that has since been discontinued. But, judging by TW's power chart, it's a little more powerful than the Becker 11 Light.
These Donnays are very expensive. Question, why do some rackets have a hybrid set up recommended, while the X-White has a multi recommended at 52 lbs?
I think the X-White is very similar in specs to the Boris Becker 11 Light, that has since been discontinued. But, judging by TW's power chart, it's a little more powerful than the Becker 11 Light.
These Donnays are very expensive. Question, why do some rackets have a hybrid set up recommended, while the X-White has a multi recommended at 52 lbs?
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
feel free please post the pics
speaking of pics here is a pic of the weighting caps, key, and dampener that come with the racquets
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
Donnay X-Orange 99 Review
A little lighter than the red, a little heavier than the white and yellow. This is a great all around racquet for someone who loves to camp at the baseline and rip big groundies. Cosmetically this is probably my lest favorite of the whole line. maybe because I used the radical for so long I am just burnt out on orange now, but I just prefer the looks of the others. However, the orange has been one of our hottest selling frames since we got it in.
GROUNDSTROKES 7.5 / 10
I got the same feeling from this frame as I kind of did with the Pure Drive from Babolat and the Extreme from Head. It is right there in terms of its weight and balance is somewhat similar as well. It really feels like you are picking up one of those racquets, just a thinner more controllable version. My forehand really was impressive with this racquet. I just wanted to stand at the baseline and crush all day. I was getting great power and control, and my shots were falling deep in the court with considerable spin. Topspin was the best... my forehand was really jumping after the bounce. The balance / weight of the racquet did not feel as good to me on my backhand though. It felt a little whippy through the ball for my tastes, and I noticed my shots sailing on my a bit on the baskhand side. Slice felt great however. Pinpoint accurace with good bite. I played around with the weighting and liked it best with the stock cap and 3 g strips in all 3 ports. This was the only racquet I preferred having the strips in the 12:00 ports as well.
VOLLEYS 7/10
I just wasn't as crazy about the orange at the net as I was with other frames in the series as well. it was good but not great, and I felt a lot of the other frames in the line were great at the net. I noticed a little vibration from the racquet when hard shots were being fired at me and I would volley back. This could also have something to do with the strings / tension as well. Control was still very good, but I thought the orange was lacking in feel a bit. The silky smooth response I got from the other sticks in the X line wasn't as smooth here. Could I volley effectively with the orange? No doubt. Was the frame maneuverable and quick through the air? yes very nice. I just wasn't craazy about it. maybe I was just biased because I liked the red 99 so much better though
SERVES 9/10
Serving with the x-orange 99 was a real treat. I was just killing it from all spots. The frame felt incredibly quick through the ball, leaving enormous potential for both power and spin. I really found myself stepping up to the line to crack but flat serves as hard as I could... which I love doing. the other serve that strood out was my slice. I was able to just get nasty with the slice on the orange - especially on wide angles from the deuce side. We were doing target practice while I was serving with the orange and I was hitting them with sniper like accuracy. i really had a good time serving with the orange 99.
OVERALL 7.5-8/10
I can see a lot of people really liking this racquet... it just wasn't the best for me. There were some things I really enjoyed about the orange 99. My forehand and my serve were especially big with this frame. I actually think I served the biggest with the orange 99 out of the whole line. My two handed backhand left a lot to be desired with this frame. I saw a lot of shots sailing on me, and I just can't deal with that haha. I do suggest giving this frame a go - especially if you like the pure drive or extreme... i just think I like the red 99 better
A little lighter than the red, a little heavier than the white and yellow. This is a great all around racquet for someone who loves to camp at the baseline and rip big groundies. Cosmetically this is probably my lest favorite of the whole line. maybe because I used the radical for so long I am just burnt out on orange now, but I just prefer the looks of the others. However, the orange has been one of our hottest selling frames since we got it in.
GROUNDSTROKES 7.5 / 10
I got the same feeling from this frame as I kind of did with the Pure Drive from Babolat and the Extreme from Head. It is right there in terms of its weight and balance is somewhat similar as well. It really feels like you are picking up one of those racquets, just a thinner more controllable version. My forehand really was impressive with this racquet. I just wanted to stand at the baseline and crush all day. I was getting great power and control, and my shots were falling deep in the court with considerable spin. Topspin was the best... my forehand was really jumping after the bounce. The balance / weight of the racquet did not feel as good to me on my backhand though. It felt a little whippy through the ball for my tastes, and I noticed my shots sailing on my a bit on the baskhand side. Slice felt great however. Pinpoint accurace with good bite. I played around with the weighting and liked it best with the stock cap and 3 g strips in all 3 ports. This was the only racquet I preferred having the strips in the 12:00 ports as well.
VOLLEYS 7/10
I just wasn't as crazy about the orange at the net as I was with other frames in the series as well. it was good but not great, and I felt a lot of the other frames in the line were great at the net. I noticed a little vibration from the racquet when hard shots were being fired at me and I would volley back. This could also have something to do with the strings / tension as well. Control was still very good, but I thought the orange was lacking in feel a bit. The silky smooth response I got from the other sticks in the X line wasn't as smooth here. Could I volley effectively with the orange? No doubt. Was the frame maneuverable and quick through the air? yes very nice. I just wasn't craazy about it. maybe I was just biased because I liked the red 99 so much better though
SERVES 9/10
Serving with the x-orange 99 was a real treat. I was just killing it from all spots. The frame felt incredibly quick through the ball, leaving enormous potential for both power and spin. I really found myself stepping up to the line to crack but flat serves as hard as I could... which I love doing. the other serve that strood out was my slice. I was able to just get nasty with the slice on the orange - especially on wide angles from the deuce side. We were doing target practice while I was serving with the orange and I was hitting them with sniper like accuracy. i really had a good time serving with the orange 99.
OVERALL 7.5-8/10
I can see a lot of people really liking this racquet... it just wasn't the best for me. There were some things I really enjoyed about the orange 99. My forehand and my serve were especially big with this frame. I actually think I served the biggest with the orange 99 out of the whole line. My two handed backhand left a lot to be desired with this frame. I saw a lot of shots sailing on me, and I just can't deal with that haha. I do suggest giving this frame a go - especially if you like the pure drive or extreme... i just think I like the red 99 better
Kal-El 34
Hall of Fame
this sounds like it would be a good racquet for you. i like what you said about being forgiving even though it is stiff. it's not that stiff, but it is a very forgiving racquet. Sweetspot is big and the frame plays very comfortably.
cosmetically the frame looks very good. the smoke / white contrast is very appealing. Where I play tennis most of the people wear all whites and they are going crazy over this frame. I didn't notice any vagueness in the upper hoop when I was hitting with it either.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Well i tried out the white again this time with laserfibre syn. 17 gauge @ 50 lbs. This set up had a lot better feel nice + comfy, but unfortunately it had a little to much power. I made to big of an adjustment instead of being to dead now it was a little to live, not terrible i still played decent but definitely to much power for me.
Now i am going to try kgut main which is stiffer+less powerful, with prince premier lt in the x's. I need to get somewhere in between what i have had this racket so far. I do think there is some magic in this racket though, i am anxious to get the right set up in it+really get to give it a test.
I also tried the red 99 which was okay but i did not seem as consistent with it. I would hit good with it for a few shots, but then i would hit wild with it. I should give it one more try but i think the white is better for me.
The white is so easy to whip around, just swings nice. It has that distinct hit feel to it, very nice+solid. Like i said before it has a players racket feel+control, but you can swing it easier than a tweener. I am going to demo the yellow also, if it is the same as the white but more flexible, i will probably go with it, i like a flexy racket. I will hit tomorrow+let you guys know more about the white.
Now i am going to try kgut main which is stiffer+less powerful, with prince premier lt in the x's. I need to get somewhere in between what i have had this racket so far. I do think there is some magic in this racket though, i am anxious to get the right set up in it+really get to give it a test.
I also tried the red 99 which was okay but i did not seem as consistent with it. I would hit good with it for a few shots, but then i would hit wild with it. I should give it one more try but i think the white is better for me.
The white is so easy to whip around, just swings nice. It has that distinct hit feel to it, very nice+solid. Like i said before it has a players racket feel+control, but you can swing it easier than a tweener. I am going to demo the yellow also, if it is the same as the white but more flexible, i will probably go with it, i like a flexy racket. I will hit tomorrow+let you guys know more about the white.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Hit with the white today with kgut main+prince premier lt at 55 lbs. Have to say that the combo felt nice but still way to much power for me. This was disappointing to me i was really hoping i could get the control that i wanted out of multi string with this racket. It may still be possible with higher tension.
So i changed the strings to kgut main at 55 lbs with luxilon adrenaline x's 17 gauge at 53 lbs + just like that the magic was back. The great control, but still plenty of power. This was similar to when i first tried the racket which had a poly main with a syn. x's. Only this seemed even better, i had the big hop on my topspin, which the original string job seemed to lack.
I just hope my arm can take this set up because this racket is awesome when the strings are right. Unfortunately it looks like i have to use poly at least in the x's to get the control i need. With this racket i can just rip the hell out of the ball, even if i go after short balls i just let it rip+the ball will go in. The only obstacle is the net, as long as i get it over the net the ball will dip down in the court.
I can do this with my kobra also but i have to be much more careful+apply plenty of spin otherwise it will sail long. But with the white i dont even think about being careful just let it rip with no worry's. That is what i noticed with this racket the first time i used it.
Also i noticed the backhand slice is really nasty with this racket, great bite+stays nice+low. My 2 hand backhand which is shakey at times also improved with this stick. Same with the serve which also was better than normal. It basically did everything better than my normal racket, some shots more than others but nothing was less.
I am going to demo the yellow, because if it is true that the yellow is the same as the white only more flexible i will be purchasing the yellow.
So i changed the strings to kgut main at 55 lbs with luxilon adrenaline x's 17 gauge at 53 lbs + just like that the magic was back. The great control, but still plenty of power. This was similar to when i first tried the racket which had a poly main with a syn. x's. Only this seemed even better, i had the big hop on my topspin, which the original string job seemed to lack.
I just hope my arm can take this set up because this racket is awesome when the strings are right. Unfortunately it looks like i have to use poly at least in the x's to get the control i need. With this racket i can just rip the hell out of the ball, even if i go after short balls i just let it rip+the ball will go in. The only obstacle is the net, as long as i get it over the net the ball will dip down in the court.
I can do this with my kobra also but i have to be much more careful+apply plenty of spin otherwise it will sail long. But with the white i dont even think about being careful just let it rip with no worry's. That is what i noticed with this racket the first time i used it.
Also i noticed the backhand slice is really nasty with this racket, great bite+stays nice+low. My 2 hand backhand which is shakey at times also improved with this stick. Same with the serve which also was better than normal. It basically did everything better than my normal racket, some shots more than others but nothing was less.
I am going to demo the yellow, because if it is true that the yellow is the same as the white only more flexible i will be purchasing the yellow.
bertrevert
Legend
Donnay Hoop Shape
Thanks tlm great feedback. Sometimes frames come down to strings. Sounds of fine-tuning ... but you will try the yellow instead.
X-White 99 - looks positively Dunlop in it's elongated oval, is that true?
Anyone compare?
I get on best with Head inverted teardrop hoop shape, and just ok with Dunlops.
I wonder what is the shape of the Donnays?
Doesn't seem like anything distinctive, but in the flesh can you confirm?
Not everything a manufacturer makes of a frame needs be unique and obviously Donnay are clearing some ground already with these frames, but I wonder if there is anything about them to hang a gold star on or not?
Is there anything intrinsically good about them you can't get anywhere else?
Head is forefront of my choice because of the teardrop hoop. Not so for others. But I hit high in stringbed, and crucially serve there too.
Thanks tlm great feedback. Sometimes frames come down to strings. Sounds of fine-tuning ... but you will try the yellow instead.
X-White 99 - looks positively Dunlop in it's elongated oval, is that true?
Anyone compare?
I get on best with Head inverted teardrop hoop shape, and just ok with Dunlops.
I wonder what is the shape of the Donnays?
Doesn't seem like anything distinctive, but in the flesh can you confirm?
Not everything a manufacturer makes of a frame needs be unique and obviously Donnay are clearing some ground already with these frames, but I wonder if there is anything about them to hang a gold star on or not?
Is there anything intrinsically good about them you can't get anywhere else?
Head is forefront of my choice because of the teardrop hoop. Not so for others. But I hit high in stringbed, and crucially serve there too.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I dont know if they are the same as a dunlop shape but they are similar now that you mention it.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I agree but like i mentioned as soon as i hybrid a poly in the white it does not seem that powerful at all. I have tried the blue 99 which was less powerful, but still had good power if you hit it right. But it was a little to heavy to me, their heavier frames should be more HL in my opinion.
I also tried the red but it just did not seem right to me. I am sure hoping that the yellow plays like the white with a little less power+more flex, because there is no doubt it will be my next racket if that holds true.
WinNCash
Rookie
X-Yellow pics
*I do not claim to be a professional photographer.*
Xenecore, in case you didn't know what foam looks like. It is dense.
My old racquet and my new one(s). Comparing the beam width. Sort of startling.
The hoop is kind of long ovally. It looks... just like it looks in the photos in person. Not really an optical illusion.
I'm going to be interested in where Donnay goes with these frames... Most companies like to add gadgets to their racquets. I see on their website they already have an extended version of the Yellow and a heavier version of the Red.
Hopefully Sunday I will get to take them out on the court.
*I do not claim to be a professional photographer.*
Xenecore, in case you didn't know what foam looks like. It is dense.
My old racquet and my new one(s). Comparing the beam width. Sort of startling.
The hoop is kind of long ovally. It looks... just like it looks in the photos in person. Not really an optical illusion.
I'm going to be interested in where Donnay goes with these frames... Most companies like to add gadgets to their racquets. I see on their website they already have an extended version of the Yellow and a heavier version of the Red.
Hopefully Sunday I will get to take them out on the court.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
Both sites show the white stiffer than the yellow, beings the white is stiffer with everything else being the same it should also be more powerful.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
I would agree 100%, so far it has been to powerful with the multi string jobs i have tried. But as soon as i hybrid a poly even in the x's the rackets power level is perfect.
tlm
G.O.A.T.
To me any multi at 52 lbs. in the white would be way to powerful.
