Tested racket:
Brand: Dunlop Model: SX 300 2022 Head size: 100 sq/inch Weight: 300 gr Balance: 32.0 cm Stringing pattern: 16x19 Length: 27 inch RA: 68 Swingweight: 322 Beam: 23mm / 26mm / 23mm Stringing: Dunlop Explosive Spin 1.25 at 24/23 kg The new Dunlop SX 300 is now available in our webshop , strung for free with the matching Dunlop Explosive Spin string.Intro:
Spin, spin and spin is what the Dunlop SX 300 is all about! When you think about rackets that can offer a lot of spin, you automatically think of the Babolat Pure Aero and the Head Extreme MP . Dunlop has been forgotten in recent years, as a young tennis fan I can't imagine much about Dunlop. Apart from the fact that John McEnroe and Steffi Graf played with Dunlop, "Many (older) tennis players know Dunlop from the famous Dunlop Max 200G and know that Dunlop has made beautiful frames over the years. The younger players have mainly grown up with Babolat and Wilson." ( Stephan, Dunlop FX 500 tested ) Fortunately, this can change for Dunlop with the new versions of the FX and SX series that have to compete with, among others, the Pure Drive and Pure Aero series from Babolat.
Baseline Dunlop SX 300 2022:
In order to compete with other brands, the Dunlop SX 300 must be able to offer a lot of spin from the baseline. That is certainly the case with this racket, the deep spin balls come off the racket very easily. As a Pure Aero fan, I have to say that the Dunlop SX 300 “easily” gives large amounts of spin. With that I mean that with other rackets you often have to whip the ball (shot ends up over the head à la Nadal) to give a lot of spin. The advantage of the SX 300 is that you don't have to whip for the same result. In addition, slicing and playing drop shots go well with this racket. The tendency to play those balls is less because playing deep spin balls with this racket is wonderful.
For the player with a somewhat flatter stroke, this will not be a nice racket: control over the ball is not there. Having a spin stroke is essential to be able to play the ball with enough speed and to be able to keep control. Otherwise the ball will quickly fly out and adjusting to that will reduce the speed of the ball.
Service and returns:
Serving with the Dunlop SX 300 went very well. I don't need extra power while serving, but it's always nice when a racket can offer that like the SX 300. In addition, it is important to pay attention to the racket being supple in the hand while serving, otherwise the balls will go out very easily. Serving a second service, the kick and slice service, was easier. Those services get enough effect from the racket to be effective and threatening.
The only downside of the Dunlop SX 300 is the return which was difficult to control. When returning, it is often small stroke movements that have to be executed quickly. The racket did not feel agile enough to be able to do that, the same problem that the predecessor of this racket also had.
Volleys:
Volling with the Dunlop SX 300 went well and the maneuverability of the racket was a much smaller problem than with the return. The balls can be placed well deep without much effort. The control over the balls that have to be placed with feeling, feels good.
The new Dunlop SX 300 is now available in our webshop , strung for free with the matching Dunlop Explosive Spin string.
Dunlop SX 300 2022: Bottom Line
For spin players this is an excellent racket, which is a lot of fun to have. Which is definitely worth testing and comparing with other rackets such as the Babolat Pure Aero and the Head Extreme MP. For me a racket to keep in mind to possibly replace my Babolat Pure Aero. Dunlop is on the right track with the renewed SX and FX series, which are really a good addition to the racket range.