Donic Waldner Senso Carbon JO Shape

The Donic Waldner Senso Carbon is definitely slower than the Donic Waldner JO Shape Limited Edition - I’d categorize it as solidly in the ALL+ range. Forehand and Backhand drives were very controlled but required me to put in more effort than normal, especially on the Forehand side as I was using the tacky Hurricane 8 rubber. The blade’s moderate speed required more power generation from the legs and/or a bigger swing on Forehand loops.

Don’t get me wrong, the control is great and the throw sufficiently high to clear the net, but I got a good workout playing with this setup. Blocks and smashes are controlled, but I prefer a crisper sensation upon contacting the ball.

WSC Jo Shape

Forehand: Coppa X1 Gold 2.0 Backhand: Coppa X1 Gold 2.0

Stiffer and slightly faster than the Waldner Senso Carbon (Classic), it also has less dwell time. Notably, the WSC Jo Shape lacks the “double speed effect” that is a significant disadvantage in the Classic version.

This blade excels as an all-rounder, but it demands a high skill level and mastery of a wide range of techniques to maximize its potential.

It is not suitable for beginners, topspinners only, or passive all-rounders. However, it performs exceptionally well for serves, returns, and blocks. Generating topspin under backspin may be slightly more challenging compared to more flexible blades tailored for topspinners.

In summary, if you own a WSC Classic and struggle with the “double speed effect,” or if you prioritize improved blocking, serving, and speed with some trade-offs in dwell time and topspin ease, the Jo Shape offers a worthwhile upgrade.

I switched from the Galaxy T11+ to this and I am not going back. Ever.