For 2016, Dunlop focuses on 2 racket families: the Natural Tennis and the Force racket line. Natural Tennis – Maximum comfort and performance Dunlop describes this new racket line as follows: 'Natural tennis is groundbreaking with a unique and completely renewed technique around racket, grip, handle, damping, string and the way of stringing. The combination of all this gives Natural Tennis rackets something unique and ensures a new and natural tennis experience = Natural Tennis'. A bold statement! Roger Federer's old racket tuner, Frank Messerer, is the founder of this line. In what way are these rackets groundbreaking? Let's look at the technology behind this racket line. In fact, all rackets are tuned by the following innovations:

• Copper Wire Construction: Copper wire in the grip construction runs from the blade of the racket to the butt cap (cap at the bottom of the racket). Over the entire length of the grip, this copper wire is in a silicone bed, which ends in a silicone bubble at the cap. The result is less vibration to the arm
• Copper Layer Grips: provides extra cushioning in consultation with the Copper Wire Construction and has an antibacterial effect
• The Natural Tennis strings have a special coating which means that they should not slide at all during the first 12 hours of tennis after stringing and should retain their playing characteristics for longer than average. All rackets are supplied with hybrid (different lengths and widths) strings. A seven-sided main string for extra spin and a round, more elastic cross string for touch and comfort. Both are polyester strings. Stringing is apparently only possible by specially certified Natural Tennis stringers according to special NT guidelines.
• NT stringing system: the so-called SMF stringing system is adapted to the swing style, playing level and expectations of the tennis player. For each playing level there are 3 different stringing schemes with increasing properties. This ensures that the racket is delivered completely tailor-made

• NT Tour: 97 sq/inch, 314 gr, 31.6 balance, 18/20 string pattern
• NT R 3.0: 98 sq/inch, 310 gr, 31.2 balance, 16/19 string pattern, 27.25 inch
• NT R 5.0: 100 sq/inch, 284 gr, 33.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern, 27.5 inch
• NT R 6.0: 105 sq/inch, 281 gr, 33.3 balance, 16/19 string pattern, 27.25 inch
• NT R 7.0: 110 sq/inch, 269 gr, 35.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern, 27.25 inch
• NT R Elite: 100 sq/inch, 260 gr, 33.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• NT R Sport: 95 sq/inch, 270 gr, 34.7 balance, 16/18 string pattern

Force – Power never felt so good The name says it all: the Force line stands for power. According to Dunlop, this is what it brings to every player of every level with a custom racket. The 4 most important technologies of this line are explained here:

• SR-X grip: this system in the grip ensures 35% less vibrations to the arm, for a purer ball feel with less impact
• Hyperflare: The buttcap (racket cap at the bottom of the grip) of the Force rackets has a different angle, which contributes to more racket control and stability in the hand
• Parallel Strung: Like Wilson's Parallel Drilling, the holes for tubing and strings are drilled parallel instead of in the curves/corners of the head shape. This creates a larger sweet spot, more spin and more comfort for the arm
• Aeroskin CX: the texture of the surface of the frames is based on that of the shark, which ensures less air resistance, making the racket easier to swing

• Force 98: 98 sq/inch, 300 gr, 32.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• Force 98 Tour: 98 sq/inch, 310 gr, 31.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• Force 100: 100 sq/inch, 295 gr, 32.5 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• Force 100 S: 100 sq/inch, 295 gr, 32.5 balance, 14/18 string pattern
• Force 100 Tour: 100 sq/inch, 305 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• Force 100 Lite: 100 sq/inch, 260 gr, 34.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern
• Force 105: 105 sq/inch, 285 gr, 32.0 balance, 16/19 string pattern, 27.25 inch

Precision November 2016 will see the release of the new Dunlop Precision racket collection. Read all about this new Dunlop racket family here!