Donnay Pro One 97

Being intrigued by the nice review of some people about the new Donnay Xenecore rackets, i took advantage the fact that a tennis shop brought them and grabed for a demo, the Dual Silver, Pro One amd Pro One GT. I play with a cutomized Wilson PS97 and a PS97 LS (340gr, 320SW, 8pts HL).

It tunrs out that Pro One was best for my liking especially when matched closely with what I am accustomed to. The only area for improvement is that I need to change the string tha came with it. It is a red poly which i dont know the brand or tension. I am not a fun of polys and i got the sense that this set up did not sllow me to fully enjoynthe feeling of the racket.

I play with a hybrid of multi or Nat gut / poly or Iso speed classic pro and recently with a full bed of syn gut at the LS at 23/25kg.

For any who plays with this racket, are there any recommendations for the string/tension? Especially since the recommended tensions are really low. I am thinking that if I string the Nat Gut at lower than 23 balls will sail away....
 

ShahofTennis

Hall of Fame
Friend of mine who plays with those frames strings gut between 24.5 to 25kg. I'd recommend 25kg for syn/nat gut, and .5 to 1kg lower for poly.

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After some tests I decided to go with the Pro One GT modified to 335gr/320 SW/7pts HL. I must admit that the feeling was significantly "easier" than the PS97 (modified) which I was using - with "easier" I mean it felt more solid on my hands. Better control and placement of shots whether FH or 1 HBH. Great 2nd serves. Where I am having trouble is my first serves....which is rather strange because I have been serving flat serves with ease with the PS97 which was a 5gr heavier racket and 2 SW points higher with a slight more headlight balance (7.8pts vs 7pts in the P1). My problem right now is that my shots go either on the net or beyond the service line! Nothing went in yesterday regardless of my tuning efforts... We will see next time.
 

ultradr

Legend
After some tests I decided to go with the Pro One GT modified to 335gr/320 SW/7pts HL. I must admit that the feeling was significantly "easier" than the PS97 (modified) which I was using - with "easier" I mean it felt more solid on my hands. Better control and placement of shots whether FH or 1 HBH. Great 2nd serves. Where I am having trouble is my first serves....which is rather strange because I have been serving flat serves with ease with the PS97 which was a 5gr heavier racket and 2 SW points higher with a slight more headlight balance (7.8pts vs 7pts in the P1). My problem right now is that my shots go either on the net or beyond the service line! Nothing went in yesterday regardless of my tuning efforts... We will see next time.

can you compare pro one to the PS's in terms of power/forgiveness/ease of playing??
 
can you compare pro one to the PS's in terms of power/forgiveness/ease of playing??

My friend sorry to disappoint you but i am the last here with the necessary skill to post a review/comparison. Not that savvy and I am afraid my comments should be taken into consideration - if at all - with caution.

After all, my PS97 is not a retail frame. Meaning that I bought it as a retial frame, stripped down the paint -which lost 25grams of weight - repainted it to gain 5grams. In that context I have never measured the new stiffness on a RDC machine etc. As such I am certain it plays totally different than what you would buy from the store.

My review has been based solely on training sessions, with feeding from the coach and drills. Not during a game. Comparing the two, the only thing I can comment is that all strokes were better with the P1, less struggle to keep the ball in, lower trajectory with the P1 from the ball, better feel on cotnact. Swinging naturally without feeling tensed, with the only thing in mind the target where I want to place the ball, produced satisfactory outcome. Where you had to purposely "work" is to create deep shots with the P1 whereas with the PS they came more naturally. This slight difference - as the P1 can create deep balls without significant effort - could be improved i guess, if I change the tension of the stringbed etc. All the above assuming same stroke technique and body mechanics during a strike.
 

Crocodile

G.O.A.T.
I do like their X Duel Platinum and Gold frames. It's a shame that their presence is restricted to their own website.
 

ultradr

Legend
My friend sorry to disappoint you but i am the last here with the necessary skill to post a review/comparison. Not that savvy and I am afraid my comments should be taken into consideration - if at all - with caution.

After all, my PS97 is not a retail frame. Meaning that I bought it as a retial frame, stripped down the paint -which lost 25grams of weight - repainted it to gain 5grams. In that context I have never measured the new stiffness on a RDC machine etc. As such I am certain it plays totally different than what you would buy from the store.

My review has been based solely on training sessions, with feeding from the coach and drills. Not during a game. Comparing the two, the only thing I can comment is that all strokes were better with the P1, less struggle to keep the ball in, lower trajectory with the P1 from the ball, better feel on cotnact. Swinging naturally without feeling tensed, with the only thing in mind the target where I want to place the ball, produced satisfactory outcome. Where you had to purposely "work" is to create deep shots with the P1 whereas with the PS they came more naturally. This slight difference - as the P1 can create deep balls without significant effort - could be improved i guess, if I change the tension of the stringbed etc. All the above assuming same stroke technique and body mechanics during a strike.

Thanks. PS touch easier to play with, it sounds like. maybe that means p1 has touch more control.
 

tennistomcat

Semi-Pro
I've got a Pro One GT 16X19 at 27.25". I have not hit with the PS97 but I've hit with an RF97. I liked the Donnay better because it feels very similar to my lm radical mp. I can really feel the flex & the dwell time leading to much better connection on my shots & control.
The Wilson felt stiffer & the ball felt like it came off the string bed much quicker on the but it felt like a solid racket also.
My Donnay feels solid all around with a little lead & comes in a lighter package allowing me to play with less effort. It also felt like it had much more control.

There's another Donnay thread if you haven't come across it yet. They're on page 20 though so it's a little bit of reading.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...re-back-xenecore.547054/page-20#post-10741208
 

herbivore

New User
I’m starting to play with a Penta 97. It felt significantly stiffer than the Dual Silver I’ve enjoyed for a few years. I assume this has more to do with the poly/multi strings it came with (bought second-hand). But immediately enjoyed the bump in power.

I just got it strung with Klipper Sterling 16 strings (21/20kg). I’ve yet to play with it (sadly getting few opportunities since living in Estonia... not like back home in Oz..)

With the little experience with strings, Sterling strings have been my favourite by some margin. My next best experience was with a hybrid of MSV Focus Hex and X-One Biphase (admittedly on a Roderick Pure Drive). I enjoyed the Blast... for the first few hours... for a poly.

The comfort, feel, control, power and string tension stability has been the best - from what I’ve tried.

I’d be most curious to know if anyone here has tried it on their Donnay racquets. Do share.




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Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
Ive got a few pro stock pro one 18x20. Pretty sweet playing frames!
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Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
I also have Xenecore Pro 97 but 16x19 and cosmetics are different.
These are a slightly different layup than the retail ones. I know roman does this PJ without the xenecore cosmetics on any racket if you want. I think they are based on the mold but not exactly the same. Some are labeled 16x19 and other minor mis markings i love it haha

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mike schiffer

Semi-Pro
Just converted to Donnay Dual X pro 102's....did not realize what I was missing with a thinner more responsive beam and flexier feel....Put my Volkl Organix on the bay and enjoying another level of comfort and response, They play like I imagine the much vaunted pt57's would play....Maybe Donnay will benefit from this new interest in flexy frames....
 

BorgCash

Legend
These are a slightly different layup than the retail ones. I know roman does this PJ without the xenecore cosmetics on any racket if you want. I think they are based on the mold but not exactly the same. Some are labeled 16x19 and other minor mis markings i love it haha

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So your buddy uses custom made Donnay racquets with different layup, cosmetic and custom handles? Everything is different fromretail? I never heard that Donnay made that kind of service.
 

herbivore

New User
Curious to know how much weight and where people have added.

I’ve put in 15g from 10-2 o’clock and fair bit more in the handle. I’m thinking of adding another 5-10g at 12 o’clock.

Any thoughts? [emoji848]


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Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
So your buddy uses custom made Donnay racquets with different layup, cosmetic and custom handles? Everything is different fromretail? I never heard that Donnay made that kind of service.
The mold is the same but obviously the pallets were swapped. Donnay made the mold and from there they were built for thr player

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Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
Curious to know how much weight and where people have added.

I’ve put in 15g from 10-2 o’clock and fair bit more in the handle. I’m thinking of adding another 5-10g at 12 o’clock.

Any thoughts? [emoji848]


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The ones i have are 332g 31mm balance unstrung

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herbivore

New User
The ones i have are 332g 31mm balance unstrung

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Thanks - that’s interesting. By my dodgy maths, that’s very similar to what I’ve done - speaking in very rough terms (adding about 12-13g to the head... somewhere.

Along with the 15g evenly from 10-2 o’clock, adding one Donnay 3g slider weight split in two at 3&9 seems to change the feel quite a bit (no court time, just bouncing a ball). I think it’s an improvement, but if not, I can push the half sliders up to 12 o’clock.

Still curious what kind of range in swing weights people are using... [emoji846]


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BorgCash

Legend
The mold is the same but obviously the pallets were swapped. Donnay made the mold and from there they were built for thr player

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That's ok but you told about different layup. And the cosmetics isn't like mine.
 

Kal-El 34

Hall of Fame
Flex is slightly different. I believe the frames were sent blank and Roman did the rest

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