So I asked Donald Young...

saram

saram

Legend
I was at the USTA State Championships for Combo this weekend and took in the semi match featuring DY at the Louisville Tennis Club. He had his rackets painted up with the new Microgel PJ. After the match, I spent some time talking to him after he signed tons of autographs for the kids. I noticed the entire hoop of his Microgel to be boxed/square just as the sticks he used during the U.S. Open were.

He was shocked that I asked him about his PJ's. He said it was the first time he had been approached with that question. I asked him if he was using PT 630's or something to that nature. He said he didn't know what exact number of Head model he was using and having painted up, but he did know that those from Head had told him it was "the old blue one...", according to DY.

I am assuming this means the older blue PC 600? Some of you Head/Prestige fantatics will be able to break that down better. But, there you have it from DY's mouth as to what he is using..."the old blue one".

DY is a great kid. Down to earth, friendly, kind to all those that approached him and willing to spend time and have conversations with everyone. His mother, however, is not so approachable as I watched how she handled those around DY--almost sheltering him and trying to get him away from everyone....

I took a couple hundred images of the match and will try and upload some tonight or tomorrow of the match when I get the time...
 
Oh, and btw...John Isner has about the worst ground strokes that I have ever seen...just horrible...There are 2.5 women out there with better groundies...
 
saram said:
I was at the USTA State Championships for Combo this weekend and took in the semi match featuring DY at the Louisville Tennis Club. He had his rackets painted up with the new Microgel PJ. After the match, I spent some time talking to him after he signed tons of autographs for the kids. I noticed the entire hoop of his Microgel to be boxed/square just as the sticks he used during the U.S. Open were.

He was shocked that I asked him about his PJ's. He said it was the first time he had been approached with that question. I asked him if he was using PT 630's or something to that nature. He said he didn't know what exact number of Head model he was using and having painted up, but he did know that those from Head had told him it was "the old blue one...", according to DY.

I am assuming this means the older blue PC 600? Some of you Head/Prestige fantatics will be able to break that down better. But, there you have it from DY's mouth as to what he is using..."the old blue one".

DY is a great kid. Down to earth, friendly, kind to all those that approached him and willing to spend time and have conversations with everyone. His mother, however, is not so approachable as I watched how she handled those around DY--almost sheltering him and trying to get him away from everyone....

I took a couple hundred images of the match and will try and upload some tonight or tomorrow of the match when I get the time...
Click to expand...
Very cool experience, thanks for sharing. "The old blue one" you're talking about is the Head Pro Tour 630 or 280 as it was called in the US.
 
Pleepers said:
Very cool experience, thanks for sharing. "The old blue one" you're talking about is the Head Pro Tour 630 or 280 as it was called in the US.
Click to expand...

I thought it may be the 630, he said he did not know the model number, though. I was able to look at the "micro" in his bag and it was definately not rounded in any way, shape or form.
 
Is Donald Young using the Microgel radical MP PJ or the Microgel Prestige MP PJ? The Microgel Prestige MP has almost the identical mold as the PT630. So if D.Y. now has the MG Prestige MP PJ on the PT630 it will be impossible to tell.

When D.Y. had the FXP Radical PJ on the PT630 you could see from a mile away that it was a PJ.
76346089.jpg

76225842.jpg

75095265.jpg
 
saram said:
DY is a great kid. Down to earth, friendly, kind to all those that approached him and willing to spend time and have conversations with everyone. His mother, however, is not so approachable as I watched how she handled those around DY--almost sheltering him and trying to get him away from everyone....
Click to expand...

Having attended both the semis and finals, I have to disagree. Young's behavior during the final was atrocious. Whatever racquet he was using, he threw it enough times to be defaulted if the umpire would've cared to enforce the rules.

He smacked it on the ground, threw it on the ground, tried throwing it into the net from the baseline but it slid under to other side, threw it into the backstop, and finally, after the handshake, threw it past the umpire's tower at his own chair. That doesn't include the number of times he whacked balls into the ceiling out of frustration. He had to be cajoled into answering a couple questions for the crowd during the awards ceremony.

Young won the first set impressively at 6-0 and then imploded when an obviously tight Bachinger loosened up and started coming back, eventually winning it in three. Young's mental breakdown cost him the match. It would've been much easier to empathize if he hadn't acted so boorishly on top of it.

I realize Young's only 18 and has quite a bit of growing up to do. If he learns to control his emotions, his killer groundstrokes can take him a long way. I'm hoping for him but not cheering for him until he shows he's capable of better self control. I took a non-tennis friend to the match to introduce him to the game, having told him about Young and Isner to pique his interest. He expressed afterward that he was "happy the jerk lost".

It's not surprising to see an 18-year-old in need of maturation. What was disappointing was that he never even received a warning for so many equipment abuses. It's no wonder there's still behavioral problems at higher levels of the game.

You're right about Isner, though. He has mobility issues that he may or may not overcome. I was more impressed with several other players than I was with him. At least he had the good sense (and humor) to realize his own relatively poor play. After he and and another former Bulldog Todd Parrott, won the doubles final, he thanked Parrott for carrying him.

Parrott, who several times during the final literally ran around Isner, noted that his job was easier with Isner's serve behind him.
 
I think that Isner is having some health problems now from being on the tour. He was not used to tour schedule but is still trying to get pro points to improve his rating. When I saw him play in his first tournement in DC, he was moving much better and bending better for ground strokes. He obviously has his limitations (which is why Sam Querry is a better prospect), but being 6'9" with sore knees is doing him no favors.
 
vsbabolat said:
Is Donald Young using the Microgel radical MP PJ or the Microgel Prestige MP PJ? The Microgel Prestige MP has almost the identical mold as the PT630. So if D.Y. now has the MG Prestige MP PJ on the PT630 it will be impossible to tell.

When D.Y. had the FXP Radical PJ on the PT630 you could see from a mile away that it was a PJ.
76346089.jpg

76225842.jpg

75095265.jpg
Click to expand...

The kid needs to straighten his cap. :P
 
Nellie said:
I think that Isner is having some health problems now from being on the tour. He was not used to tour schedule but is still trying to get pro points to improve his rating. When I saw him play in his first tournement in DC, he was moving much better and bending better for ground strokes. He obviously has his limitations (which is why Sam Querry is a better prospect), but being 6'9" with sore knees is doing him no favors.
Click to expand...

Could be, Nellie. He seemed to have trouble getting down to the ball enough to clear the net-- a lot of shots with fairly solid contact but no lift. I'd never seen him play before so I attributed that to his height, but he was wearing a small knee band of some kind. Parrott had a matching one.

Parrott said they'd both be playing Nashville but partnering with others for doubles.
 
I really like young's game. It was great watching him play at the Open this year. It kind of sucks to hear that he's a brat, but I'll still enjoy watching him play.
 
I don't think he is a brat, but in need of a good bit of seasoning. To make it to the next level you must have the mental fortitude to recover point by point from the stress of playing. When you don't, you get players who don't seem to live up to the physical part of their game.
 
i agree that it is just as mental as it is a physical thing, in all sports. but especially in tennis when you have to be able to think through points, and bounce back point after point. he is just immature. hopefully he will grow up and live up to his potential.
 
The "old blue one" is the ProTour 280 (as sold in the U.S.) Not sure what the color of the Euro PT630 was since I've never owned one. The PT280's that I owned were blue, though.
 
BreakPoint said:
The "old blue one" is the ProTour 280 (as sold in the U.S.) Not sure what the color of the Euro PT630 was since I've never owned one. The PT280's that I owned were blue, though.
Click to expand...

FYI it has the same exact color scheme, just different decals.
 
JeffG said:
Having attended both the semis and finals, I have to disagree. Young's behavior during the final was atrocious. Whatever racquet he was using, he threw it enough times to be defaulted if the umpire would've cared to enforce the rules.

He smacked it on the ground, threw it on the ground, tried throwing it into the net from the baseline but it slid under to other side, threw it into the backstop, and finally, after the handshake, threw it past the umpire's tower at his own chair. That doesn't include the number of times he whacked balls into the ceiling out of frustration. He had to be cajoled into answering a couple questions for the crowd during the awards ceremony.

Young won the first set impressively at 6-0 and then imploded when an obviously tight Bachinger loosened up and started coming back, eventually winning it in three. Young's mental breakdown cost him the match. It would've been much easier to empathize if he hadn't acted so boorishly on top of it.

I realize Young's only 18 and has quite a bit of growing up to do. If he learns to control his emotions, his killer groundstrokes can take him a long way. I'm hoping for him but not cheering for him until he shows he's capable of better self control. I took a non-tennis friend to the match to introduce him to the game, having told him about Young and Isner to pique his interest. He expressed afterward that he was "happy the jerk lost".

It's not surprising to see an 18-year-old in need of maturation. What was disappointing was that he never even received a warning for so many equipment abuses. It's no wonder there's still behavioral problems at higher levels of the game.

You're right about Isner, though. He has mobility issues that he may or may not overcome. I was more impressed with several other players than I was with him. At least he had the good sense (and humor) to realize his own relatively poor play. After he and and another former Bulldog Todd Parrott, won the doubles final, he thanked Parrott for carrying him.

Parrott, who several times during the final literally ran around Isner, noted that his job was easier with Isner's serve behind him.
Click to expand...

All pro's explode from time to time. My reference to DY was my ability, as well as all others, to approach him after the match and the way he smiled. If one did not know who he was and his sudden rise in the tennis world, one would have assumed he was just a ball kid, junior taking lessons at the LTC, etc.

I agree with your assessment of his on court behavior. He did lose his cool during the first few games of the semi's when the calls were not in his favor.

I think, as well, that Isner has the ability to hit solid groundies--but his size and movement are just not there to compete with the big boys. I also noticed something under his left knee similar to Rafa and Fish that made me curious as to the health of that left knee...

I saw the scores of the final today online...glad I didn't stay for the finals, although one cannot beat $8 to watch professional tennis.
 
vsbabolat said:
Is Donald Young using the Microgel radical MP PJ or the Microgel Prestige MP PJ? The Microgel Prestige MP has almost the identical mold as the PT630. So if D.Y. now has the MG Prestige MP PJ on the PT630 it will be impossible to tell.

When D.Y. had the FXP Radical PJ on the PT630 you could see from a mile away that it was a PJ.
76346089.jpg

76225842.jpg

75095265.jpg
Click to expand...

The Micro Radical PJ scheme that he has now does not hide the stick either. All boxy. I have not held a Micro Radical yet, but when looking at the images here at TW of all Radical sticks, the frame is nothing like what is sold here in terms of shape. As well, the PJ itself is completely different than anything offered within the images of MG Radicals. Made a call and trying to get my camera and memory cards back to upload some images tonight or in the morning.
 
Sorry about the grain within the images. Had to shoot at 1600 ISO as I only had my f.4 lens and not my 1.8....
 
saram said:
A

I agree with your assessment of his on court behavior. He did lose his cool during the first few games of the semi's when the calls were not in his favor.


I saw the scores of the final today online...glad I didn't stay for the finals, although one cannot beat $8 to watch professional tennis.
Click to expand...

He wasn't bad in the semi. His play in the final was actually much better early on until he got flustered. Like I said, though, I was more disappointed with the umpire for totally letting him slide. He literally looked the other way a couple of times during racquet tosses. If the tour vultures don't get to him, Young will grow up. The ump looked older than me.

What was really funny was Ryderstedt during the doubles final. He's a very intense guy on court. I really enjoyed watching him. When he got a bad call, he sort of tried to mouth off but it was like he wasn't sure how. He took a longish look and then asked the umpire if he was going to overrule. The ump shook his head no and Ryderstedt got a horrible look on his face like he was really angry, grunted just a little, and said, "Well........ that was a very bad call."

I wonder how growing up with Edberg and Wilander as examples may have made that different as compared to Young, who's probably seen tons of Mac and Connors footage.

With Lexington and now Louisville, the pro tennis opportunities have been pretty good around here the last couple of years. Of course, Cincy and Indianapolis aren't terribly far either.

Nice pics, by the way. Young does that 630 some justice. It'd be nice to see him keep it together and do really well.
 
JeffG said:
Young does that 630 some justice. It'd be nice to see him keep it together and do really well.
Click to expand...

Yes, he does it justice. I think the most impressive thing about DY is that he has absolutely no weapons in his bag..yet his darn footwork is just amazing. I know he was not facing the quality player such as a Fed or Joker, but it was as if he wanted to, he could have ran around and just hit forehands or backhands all night long. I'm pretty short and he was just slightly taller than I am and to see the pace on the groundies and serve made me realize just how solid his contact must be with every strike of the ball.

I may try and head out to Nashville/Vandy this weekend and take in a semi or final depending on who ends up playing on the weekend. One just cannot beat the price. And, I'm making every effort to end up in Cincy next year.
 
his hat is tolerable, but his oversize clothes need to go. He looks so weak in those clothes. Makes him look smaller as well. If he wants to looker older and more intimidating out there he needs to wear some clothes that fit and make him look older and show his muscles more. He should take some style tips from federer.
________
Yaris Verso
 
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RoddickistheMan said:
his hat is tolerable, but his oversize clothes need to go. He looks so weak in those clothes. Makes him look smaller as well. If he wants to looker older and more intimidating out there he needs to wear some clothes that fit and make him look older and show his muscles more. He should take some style tips from federer.
Click to expand...

He is 18 and from Atlanta. If he (or anyone) feels comfortable in what they opt to wear, then they should be allowed to wear it. I'm not sure that Federer represents "style" above all others on tour. Always looks like he stepped out of a casual business meeting to me and onto the courts with those collared shirts....I prefered the Fed with the ponytail, collarless shirts, and a little more flair to his style...but that is just me.

To each their own...
 
saram said:
Oh, and btw...John Isner has about the worst ground strokes that I have ever seen...just horrible...There are 2.5 women out there with better groundies...
Click to expand...
That's interesting because there are a ton of people on here that say his groundies aren't so bad. I personally think that they could use some work, including his volleys.
 
I'm from Atlanta as well and have met and hit with Donald Young Jr. It's been a little over a year. He's still pretty scrawny. He'll fill out but it'll take a couple of years as his metabolism starts to slow slightly I think.

As for the attitude, yes I've seen him through fits but I really don't know of many high level players who haven't at some point in their teens. Most outgrow it and I think Donald will as he comes to terms with his game and abilities.
 
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J-man said:
That's interesting because there are a ton of people on here that say his groundies aren't so bad. I personally think that they could use some work, including his volleys.
Click to expand...

Technically, his groundies and volleys are not bad. And, at the college level, I think they were probably pretty solid. But, with the speed of the pro game, how your opponent robs you of time once you hit a ball, etc...well, his size and lack of speed and footwork just truly hinders his groundies. His form was great on everything--just always a step behind when hitting against a guy with solid groundies and good footwork. I really would have liked to see Young vs. Isner and how the groundie exchange would have went..
 
BreakPoint said:
The "old blue one" is the ProTour 280 (as sold in the U.S.) Not sure what the color of the Euro PT630 was since I've never owned one. The PT280's that I owned were blue, though.
Click to expand...

This is very difficult to believe. so donald young just gets a Head racket, that they told him was old blue ONE, and just plays with it without knowing what model it really is?? So does he even have a clue about what specs it has ? How does he customize it without knowing what racket it is ?
 
Fedace said:
This is very difficult to believe. so donald young just gets a Head racket, that they told him was old blue ONE, and just plays with it without knowing what model it really is?? So does he even have a clue about what specs it has ? How does he customize it without knowing what racket it is ?
Click to expand...

What is so hard to believe about that. When Head stopped selling the Pro Tour 630/280 Donald Young was 8 years old. You expect him to know what the name of a racquet that has not been sold since he was a little kid.
 
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Well.......

Donald may or may not know what racquet model it is that Head sends him (I think he does), but he is contractually bound not to mention it as the racquet is no longer in production. He is supposed to push the new Microgel line. It was very nice of him to even mention "the old blue one" to give a good hint.

BTW, with respect to Donald's talent, for an 18yr old Donald has a great deal of tennis talent. I have watched him over the years and he reminds me of Rios in many ways. Great footwork, anticipation, takes the ball early with good ground strokes and his FH is getting bigger with a steady BH and good serves.

I think his issue is still his physical size and stamina. While he can generate some good pop on the ball from both sides, he still has trouble doing all of it consistently at the pro level. He will get better as he begins to fill out as long as he can maintain his speed. The mental toughness will come if better results and confidence come.

DY has had way too much attention focused on him at a young age (thanks to Mac), and I think that actually hampered his progress. I also think he needs to put some distance between himself and moma. If he can keep getting better he will do very well in the future. We'll have to wait and see.

TennezSport :cool:
 
TennezSport said:
Donald may or may not know what racquet model it is that Head sends him (I think he does), but he is contractually bound not to mention it as the racquet is no longer in production. He is supposed to push the new Microgel line. It was very nice of him to even mention "the old blue one" to give a good hint.

BTW, with respect to Donald's talent, for an 18yr old Donald has a great deal of tennis talent. I have watched him over the years and he reminds me of Rios in many ways. Great footwork, anticipation, takes the ball early with good ground strokes and his FH is getting bigger with a steady BH and good serves.

I think his issue is still his physical size and stamina. While he can generate some good pop on the ball from both sides, he still has trouble doing all of it consistently at the pro level. He will get better as he begins to fill out as long as he can maintain his speed. The mental toughness will come if better results and confidence come.

DY has had way too much attention focused on him at a young age (thanks to Mac), and I think that actually hampered his progress. I also think he needs to put some distance between himself and moma. If he can keep getting better he will do very well in the future. We'll have to wait and see.

TennezSport :cool:
Click to expand...

Good points all around. I did let DY off the hook when I posed the question to him. I did not ask what was under the MG PJ. I asked him "during the US Open...." and smiled to him. He looked at his bag as if stumped, and then when he used the phrase "at the Open..." and smiled, he released the info. I knew he would never anwer if I asked what was in his current bag and PJ. Although, with the grommet wrapping that "MG" in the images I posted above...well...the obvious is there, right?
 
vsbabolat said:
What is so hard to believe about that. When Head stopped selling the Pro Tour 630/280 Donald Young was 8 years old. You expect him to know what the name of a racquet that has not been sold since he was a little kid.
Click to expand...

but why that one ? i remember hitting with that frame, it is not the best racket made by head
 
Fedace said:
This is very difficult to believe. so donald young just gets a Head racket, that they told him was old blue ONE, and just plays with it without knowing what model it really is?? So does he even have a clue about what specs it has ? How does he customize it without knowing what racket it is ?
Click to expand...

When I was talking to him, he had never heard of a PT 630 or 280. He looked absolutely stumped, and it was an honest expression on his face. I honestly believe that he has no idea or use of customization as Roger and other touring pro's today. Just a hunch though....
 
saram said:
When I was talking to him, he had never heard of a PT 630 or 280. He looked absolutely stumped, and it was an honest expression on his face. I honestly believe that he has no idea or use of customization as Roger and other touring pro's today. Just a hunch though....
Click to expand...

But i thought he also tried the LM Instinct for a while ?? or was that just a paint job too ??
 
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