***The Donnay Pro One Int'l MP Club***

nickynu

Semi-Pro
I have the purple/blue/red supermidsize from the 90s which is on the for sale forums at the moment if anybody is interested in this lovely old racket. If I dont get any interest this week it will go on the auction site- shame if it does.

It plays like a dream, but alas I have to earn money.
 
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crazypro

New User
man i love donnay pro one mp!!! It fits my game and the serve has improved so much.... everything is perfect. A best racquet anyone can ever have.
 

crazypro

New User
only thing i thought that donnay mp lacked was a bit of weight. If i were to put lead tape on donnay mp, where should i put it at? I would want to increase the racquet more headlight
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
only thing i thought that donnay mp lacked was a bit of weight. If i were to put lead tape on donnay mp, where should i put it at? I would want to increase the racquet more headlight
Try just adding a leather grip first. It'll add some weight and also make it more headlight.
 

endbegin

Rookie
I've played with a Donnay Mid demo and liked it a lot. My BH became much more reliable and I got tremendous power on both sides with a nice plush response. Just spoke to a TW sales rep about this .. seems like grommets for the Mid are not available and most likely will not be around in the future. Does anyone have a solution for this?

She also said that they were not sure if these sticks were going to be coming back after they sell out the current batch.
 
Just spoke to a TW sales rep about this .. seems like grommets for the Mid are not available and most likely will not be around in the future. Does anyone have a solution for this?

She also said that they were not sure if these sticks were going to be coming back after they sell out the current batch.

Thanks for sharing this info. After demo-ing, buying, and trying dozens of sticks over the past couple of years, I've settled on this one--and cleared out all other racquets. I've got a handful of these now and am glad I picked up one spare bumper/grommet set for each. Should be set for a little while, unless I've got the less-durable grommets that are prone to breaking . . . . Then I'll be looking for a solution, too.
 

v205

Semi-Pro
I found one on forsale forum. An international transaction that will probably take a few weeks. I'm so excited as I think it may suit me better than the AG100.
 

matchmaker

Hall of Fame
I found one on forsale forum. An international transaction that will probably take a few weeks. I'm so excited as I think it may suit me better than the AG100.

Let us know how it goes. The Donnay Int'l MP is a great players racquet. It does not do anything wrong and has tremendous feel. You do have to "make it play well", it's a real players racquet. It would be nice to have a comparison with the AG100 once you receive your Donnay.
 

jcstennis

Hall of Fame
i'm looking at some fuzzy pics of a Donnay that is mostly gray, with lime green accents, can't make out the model... has a gray, lime green cover with what looks like a red stripe down the middle..

can anyone identify what model this is?

Pro 2?

J
 
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endbegin

Rookie
Just received these yesterday :) Can't wait to hit the courts tomorrow.
3544110721


I did numerous playtests, and finally decided on these Donnays. In addition to having the perfect weight, stiffness and balance for my game, It is the only racquet that felt "neutral" to me, meaning that it does what I want it to. If I have the right technique, then it produces a great shot and vice versa. The whole "is it the racquet?" thought in my head is thankfully gone now.

Hey matchmaker, can I be a part of this club?
 

v205

Semi-Pro
OK. Finally received the Donnay (previously owner had it strung at 55lbs PSGO which feels a bit loose for me and getting more than the usual long balls) and had a hit today. OMG! I have never felt the heaviness of my balls in this magnitude even with the Max 200g. Playing partner is late for many balls due to the extra penetration power compared to the AG100.

Make no mistake, this is definitely a traditional old school feel racquet where you use the weight of the racket to do the work. It swings noticeably heavier than the AG100 and thus lose manueverbility at the net (but better stability and again more penetration) and at the baseline (heavy balls!) but the trade off is really worth it for me. It's amazing the minimal weight difference of 342g donnay / 337g AG100 (both with leather grip) would make such a bit difference.

I want to play with the Donnay for now and see if I will find the need to use something like AG100 to win matches that I can't with the Donnay. If they did this racket in 85-90 sq.inch, it'd give me the compact feel that I'm more familiar with and possibly gain a bit more control.

I'm likely to do a X1 M / Multifeel C hybrid next at 58. What do you guys think?

Also, is there a proper pattern to do a 2 piece on this racket?
 

DrumWizOHBD

Semi-Pro
Supposedly, this racquet was desiged for one piece stringing only, however if you do a search through the forums, you will find several threads about this that demonstrate everyone's different methods for hybrid stringing.

I have strung plenty of times now with hybrid stringing and had no problems.

You will notice there are no extra tie-off holes for hybrid stringing apps. So you will have to enlarge a grommet first. For two-piece stringing with the Donnay Pro One MP, i first used an awl and some chapstick to widen the grommet at the 9th hole at the top of the head. This should be a main string. You will use this hole to tie off and start your crosses. I have also used the 10th, but it the knot didn't seem to fit as well.

Your x-1/multifeel hyrbid sounds like a champ. I haven't used those two strings myself, but have read plenty of reviews. I have really enjoyed both Natural Gut and Kgut with this racquet. Even gosen Micro plays great. I am using cyberflash right now mixed in with various softer strings to add a little more spin and durability. I like this stick at any tension. I keep a couple strung loose (mid-high 40's) in case i am in the mood to play with more topspin.

* I also created a tie-off on the 11th hole from the head, which is a cross. This gives a lot more room for the knot. But I chose not to use it again because: (1) puts the knot closer to the ball striking area and i was afraid of premature breakage. (2) too much thinking and planning with floating clamps when in a hurry :)
 

v205

Semi-Pro
I got my DP1MP back with X1/Mutifeel at @60. SWEEEEEET. Perfectly playable right from the start, didn't feel like it needed to be broken in. But to think that I'd get a little bit more power when it wears in a bit... should be bliss!!

I can't work out why the Aerogal 100 with X1@60 would feel so harsh to my arm and can't hit heavy balls.

The Donnay is easy to progress to from the Max 200g in that it is also a simple no nonsense graphite racquet that response as it should. Another point of note is that even with the 16x18, it doesn't have a hotspot like a lot of modern rackets but instead it has a normal sweet spot. I'm glad I have found something that I can enjoy hitting for this tennis comback of mine.

If this donnay was 85-90, i would have been in tennis heaven I think.
 

v205

Semi-Pro
Anyone done much customization on this racket? Leather grip is a given for me. Not sure if extra lead is needed somewhere on the grip. Any one experimented before?
 

DrumWizOHBD

Semi-Pro
Anyone done much customization on this racket? Leather grip is a given for me. Not sure if extra lead is needed somewhere on the grip. Any one experimented before?

With a leather grip (and two overgrips-i have big hands) the wieght and balance is perfect for me. I tried some lead just above the grip, before trying the leather. BUt the leather seem to make the racquet just right....it makes the balance a little more headlight while adding just he right amount of weight. I also use a small damper which adds a little weight as well.
 

dunno

Rookie
My donnay's are pretty much the perfect racket for me right now. I was using prostaff 6.0 95's but they break way too quickly, and I don't even need to add lead to the Pro one's, i just have a leather grip, a yonex supergrap over grip, a sampras O dampener, and Gosen sheep micro mixed with polyon at 43 lbs tension. You can get as much power or spin as you want.
 
OMG! I have never felt the heaviness of my balls in this magnitude even with the Max 200g. Playing partner is late for many balls due to the extra penetration power compared to the AG100.

Anyone done much customization on this racket? Leather grip is a given for me. Not sure if extra lead is needed somewhere on the grip. Any one experimented before?

I'm also a former Max 200g and AG100 player. I've gotten decent plow, dwell, and spin from these and other racquets--DNX10 and RDX500 mids, for example--but it all comes together for me in the Pro One. Does everything well for my old-school tastes and has no outstanding weaknesses. Love the headsize, mass, etc. TW leather has only made it better and eliminated my need for lead above the handle when using synthetic grips.
 

v205

Semi-Pro
ROLLCALL: I'm a recent acquirer of this racket and keep getting intrigued by it more and more. Who is still using this racket and what are you thoughts on it after the amount time (please state how long?) you've played with it.
 

crazypro

New User
i love my donnay pro one mp!!! I wish i bought more but i don't have enough money. Well, Donnay mp is great for everything.
Groundstroke - 10/10
backhand - 10/10
serve return - 10/10
serve -10/10
everything else - 10/10

At first i was really struggling with it because of its flex, 58. Switching from k95 was really difficult because there was about 10 flex difference between k95 and donnay mp. However, there was certainly a difference between the two racquets. Donnay had a great serve, especially 2nd serve. It gives crazy spin and enough pace to put down a serve. Forehand was good and backhand was good, too. I don't know about volley because i suck at it, but now it's getting better. I recommend people to buy at least one donnay mp because its cheap and great for everything.
 

ericsson

Hall of Fame
i love my donnay pro one mp!!! I wish i bought more but i don't have enough money. Well, Donnay mp is great for everything.
Groundstroke - 10/10
backhand - 10/10
serve return - 10/10
serve -10/10
everything else - 10/10

At first i was really struggling with it because of its flex, 58. Switching from k95 was really difficult because there was about 10 flex difference between k95 and donnay mp. However, there was certainly a difference between the two racquets. Donnay had a great serve, especially 2nd serve. It gives crazy spin and enough pace to put down a serve. Forehand was good and backhand was good, too. I don't know about volley because i suck at it, but now it's getting better. I recommend people to buy at least one donnay mp because its cheap and great for everything.

LOL, that's very optimistic but yes it's a great racket :)
 

dunno

Rookie
43 lbs for the Gosen Sheep Micro also?? Doesn't that sail on a big flat swing?

that's why you gotta put lots of spin on every stroke, even if i'm gonna hit a winner the harder i hit it the more spin i'm gonna need to keep it in. never hit a ball flat ftw lol.
 
Hello lovely people,

I've just won two Donnays on the auction site. Both in the original green and blue paint job. The first one is 'Donnay Pro One International' and the other is 'Donnay Pro One Limited Edition Supermidsize'. Can someone tell me what the difference between those two is? I believe the limited edition is %100 graphite and the other has fibreglass. From the description I know both have 95 sq inch heads and 16x18 string pattern. I'm most interested in the flex. Which one is flexier?

Thanks.
 
Sorry for the double post. Can't edit.

I also would like to know witch one is more sought after. I would guess the limited one but can't be sure.
 

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Hello lovely people,

I've just won two Donnays on the auction site. Both in the original green and blue paint job. The first one is 'Donnay Pro One International' and the other is 'Donnay Pro One Limited Edition Supermidsize'. Can someone tell me what the difference between those two is? I believe the limited edition is %100 graphite and the other has fibreglass. From the description I know both have 95 sq inch heads and 16x18 string pattern. I'm most interested in the flex. Which one is flexier?

Thanks.

The international is flexier due to the fiberglass, the limited is stiffer without being a stiff racket, a very good baseline stick. The international has great touch and feeling (a real doubles stick). Both share the same mould.
 

mctennis

Legend
I have another question:
What years were the different color Donnay Pro One racquets? The main ones I was wondering about was the orange/gray and the blue/yellow ones. Thanks.
 
Ericsson, you seem to know a lot about Donnays. I still haven't received mine and I'm eager to try them out. I'm currently playing with a Redondo MP. Do you have some experience with this racquet and can you make a comparison?

Well not just Ericsson. Anyone who has experience is welcome to comment.
 

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Ericsson, you seem to know a lot about Donnays. I still haven't received mine and I'm eager to try them out. I'm currently playing with a Redondo MP. Do you have some experience with this racquet and can you make a comparison?

Well not just Ericsson. Anyone who has experience is welcome to comment.

Well honestly i was not too keen about the Redondo MP, the Redondo MID was farrrrr better and more control, i found the MP a little unstable and balls tend to sail out on flat shots.
The two Donnay's you will receive are very good rackets, lots of feel and control but play different, i suggest to give them a test and see which one you like most, i liked them both and played the international more in doubles.
PS: make sure you put good strings in them and they perform best at mid tension, +- 25kg. (stiff poly a little lower)
 
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v205

Semi-Pro
I've had 2 sessions with mine and found 60 lbs to be too tight for my liking. Will try 58 on next restring.
 

ericsson

Hall of Fame
Great. Thank you for the info.
Another question about those two- are they the same racquet just different colors? Or are they different playing racquets?

Initially two different rackets, different mold, that is for the retail model, Agassi never used (or very briefly) the retail model they sold to the public, he didnt really like it, were too soft for him etc... the first yellow PO had a very long handle, red odd butt cap etc...
The one Agassi played was the base for the next one, the orange/gray one who shared the same mold.
So to answer your question, yes they are very different.
 
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ericsson

Hall of Fame
Witch one? How are they better compared to the PO's?

It's not a question of better, i stopped playing Donnay in 2000, things went very bad and unfortunately Donnay was not more then a low cost brand, made me mad (such a quality company!) Then i switched to Volkl, now still play the old T10 gen.1
 

Santz

New User
See some people changed from K90 to Donnay Pro-one MP looking for more comfort and forgiveness. How do they (K90 & Pro-One MP) compare? Which one more suited to 4.0 level? Thks.
 
See some people changed from K90 to Donnay Pro-one MP looking for more comfort and forgiveness. How do they (K90 & Pro-One MP) compare? Which one more suited to 4.0 level? Thks.

Been using the Pro One since TW first offered it. And I had a couple of K90's. They're quite unalike despite their thin beams and relatively small heads.

The Pro One swings easier, is much more flexible, and has a slightly larger and more forgiving head. It's a very comfortable hit. I'm a Yonex and Volkl fan and this stick brings together the traits I value in those other brands.

The K90 puts serious mass behind the ball and has a rock-solid feel. Its stiffness provides great directional control over the ball. A magnificent racquet if you can handle it.

I think a 4.0 could do well with either one, given enough time and practice. If you can, demo/borrow/try both. As they provide radically different experiences, it should be clear which one you prefer.
 

Santz

New User
Been using the Pro One since TW first offered it. And I had a couple of K90's. They're quite unalike despite their thin beams and relatively small heads.

The Pro One swings easier, is much more flexible, and has a slightly larger and more forgiving head. It's a very comfortable hit. I'm a Yonex and Volkl fan and this stick brings together the traits I value in those other brands.

The K90 puts serious mass behind the ball and has a rock-solid feel. Its stiffness provides great directional control over the ball. A magnificent racquet if you can handle it.

I think a 4.0 could do well with either one, given enough time and practice. If you can, demo/borrow/try both. As they provide radically different experiences, it should be clear which one you prefer.

Thanks for feedback. Currently I am playing with Redondo 98 so I guess I will like the more flexy Pro-One instead of K90. What I do not enjoy about the Redondo 98 is the feel/vibration of string-bed which I attribute to the woofer system. Also not very maneauverable racket. I also like the Ncode95 18x20 except for its too dense string-bed. Hoping the Pro-one will have better feel and be more maneuverable than Redondo98 without loss in power.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Thanks for feedback. Currently I am playing with Redondo 98 so I guess I will like the more flexy Pro-One instead of K90. What I do not enjoy about the Redondo 98 is the feel/vibration of string-bed which I attribute to the woofer system. Also not very maneauverable racket. I also like the Ncode95 18x20 except for its too dense string-bed. Hoping the Pro-one will have better feel and be more maneuverable than Redondo98 without loss in power.
I don't think the Redondo has a woofer system. The woofer system is exclusive only on Babolat racquets as they invented it.
 

Santz

New User
I don't think the Redondo has a woofer system. The woofer system is exclusive only on Babolat racquets as they invented it.

BP I don't know if its exactly the same as Babolat but it DOES have its grommets with a rounded shape (not flat like normal grommets). I got the same strange feeling of vibration when have played with the Babolat Storm, thats why I was assuming this was caused by this kind of grommet shape seen on both raquests. Otherwise the Redondo98 is a solid raquet, while the Storm felt hollow and flimsy. I just hope the Donnay Pro-One 95 will be similar to Redondo98 but improved on serve and 1hbh my week points with this raquet plus eliminate this strange small vibration.
 
Hello lovely people,

I've just won two Donnays on the auction site. Both in the original green and blue paint job. The first one is 'Donnay Pro One International' and the other is 'Donnay Pro One Limited Edition Supermidsize'. Can someone tell me what the difference between those two is? I believe the limited edition is %100 graphite and the other has fibreglass. From the description I know both have 95 sq inch heads and 16x18 string pattern. I'm most interested in the flex. Which one is flexier?

Thanks.


:( The auction turned out to be a scam. I'm now disputing the transaction. Unfortunately I won't be joining this club any time soon unless I can find some cheap Donnays in Europe. I was sooooo enthusiastic about those racquets. :cry:
 

basil J

Hall of Fame
Bp, the Redondo MP does have a woofer type system at 3:00 & 9:00 that the mid does not. My stringer who has been in the business for over 20 years told me that babolat actually bought a mold from PK that included a woofer type system that was the foundation for the pure drive.
 

BreakPoint

Bionic Poster
Bp, the Redondo MP does have a woofer type system at 3:00 & 9:00 that the mid does not. My stringer who has been in the business for over 20 years told me that babolat actually bought a mold from PK that included a woofer type system that was the foundation for the pure drive.
Interesting. I've only played with the Redondo Mid but not the MP. I wonder why they would only put it on the MP but not the Mid?

Thanks for the info.
 

kramertc

New User
I inquired TW about replacement grommets and their response was that they don't plan to restock grommets. I switched a few months ago and really like this racket; I was thinking of stocking grommets for the future. Does anyone know if another set of grommets will fit this frame?
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I inquired TW about replacement grommets and their response was that they don't plan to restock grommets. I switched a few months ago and really like this racket; I was thinking of stocking grommets for the future. Does anyone know if another set of grommets will fit this frame?

Woah..this is not good at all. Why would they not restock grommets?
 
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