For 2015, Dunlop is focusing on 2 racket families: the Force and Natural Tennis racket lines. In addition, a number of models from the 2014 Biomimetic collection will also be included in the 2015 collection. Force – Power never felt so good The name says it all: the Force line is all about power! Dunlop says it offers a racket tailored to every player at every level. The 4 key technologies in this line are explained here:
- Isis X: this system in the grip reduces vibrations to the arm by 35%, giving you a cleaner feel for the ball with less impact
- Hyperflare: the butt cap (the cap at the bottom of the grip) on the Force rackets has a different angled shape, which contributes to greater racket control and stability in the hand
- Parallel Strung: as with Wilson's Parallel Drilling, the holes for the grommets and strings are drilled parallel to one another rather than along the curves/corners of the frame shape. This creates a larger sweet spot, more spin and greater arm comfort
- Aeroskin CX: the texture of the frame surface is based on that of a shark, reducing air resistance and making the racket easier to swing
The rackets in Dunlop's Force line:
- Force 98: 98 sq/inch, 300 g, 32.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Force 98 Tour: 98 sq/inch, 310 g, 31.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Force 100: 100 sq/inch, 295 g, 32.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Force 100 S: 100 sq/inch, 295 g, 32.5 balance, 14/18 string pattern
- Force 100 Tour: 100 sq/inch, 305 g, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Force 100 Lite: 100 sq/inch, 260 g, 34.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Force 105: 105 sq/inch, 285 g, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
Natural Tennis – Maximum comfort and performance Dunlop describes this new racket line as follows: ‘Natural Tennis is truly groundbreaking, with a unique and completely redesigned technology for the racket, grip, handle, dampening, strings and stringing method. The combination of all these elements gives Natural Tennis rackets something unique and creates a new, natural tennis experience = Natural Tennis’. Quite a bold statement! Racket tuner Frank Messerer is the driving force behind this line. In what way are these rackets groundbreaking? Let's look at the technology behind this racket line. In fact, all the rackets have been tuned with the following innovations:
- Copper Wire Construction: copper wire in the grip construction runs from the racket head to the butt cap (the cap at the bottom of the racket). This copper wire runs the full length of the grip inside a silicone bed, ending in a silicone bubble at the cap. The result is fewer vibrations reaching the arm
- Copper Layer Grips: provide extra cushioning in conjunction with the Copper Wire Construction and have antibacterial properties
- Natural Tennis strings have a special coating that is supposed to prevent them from moving at all during the first 12 hours of play after stringing (exciting!) and help them retain their playing characteristics longer than average. All rackets come with hybrid strings (different lengths and gauges). An octagonal main string for extra spin and a rounder, more elastic cross string for touch and comfort. Both are polyester strings. Apparently, they can only be strung by specially certified Natural Tennis stringers
- NT stringing system: the so-called S-M-F stringing system is adapted to the player's swing style, skill level and expectations. There are 3 different stringing patterns for each skill level, with progressively enhanced characteristics
The rackets in the Natural Tennis line:
- NT Revolution 3.0: 98 sq/inch, 310 g, 31.2 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- NT Revolution 5.0: 100 sq/inch, 284 g, 33.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- NT Revolution 6.0: 105 sq/inch, 281 g, 33.3 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- NT Revolution Elite: 100 sq/inch, 260 g, 33.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
Biomimetic – Inspired by nature, perfected by Dunlop The Biomimetic series has been around for several seasons and features a number of impressive technical features inspired by nature. For example, the Aeroskin frame texture reduces air resistance, while Gecko-Tac grips offer enhanced tackiness for greater grip and control. Below are the Biomimetic rackets in Dunlop's 2015 collection:
- Biomimetic M4.0: 100 sq/inch, 295 g, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Biomimetic S4.0 Lite: 100 sq/inch, 270 g, 32.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
- Biomimetic S6.0 Lite Pink: 105 sq/inch, 275 g, 33.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
