Being a reputable and trusted brand, Dunlop is one of the most established and known brands in the history of tennis, so it’s not strange that a lot of Grand Slams have been won with Dunlop rackets. The company was established in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop who has invented and patented the pneumatic type for racing bicycles. This invention has revolutionised the automotive and cycle industry. But it was in 1910 when the Dunlop Company entered the sports market when it manufactured golf balls made of vulcanized rubber.
Shortly after that, the company also started manufacturing tennis balls as well and it was in 1932 when it launched the revolutionary and iconic Maxply tennis racket. This tennis Dunlop tennis racquet became the world’s most popular racket for the next 50 years. This racket was used by true legends like Rod Laver, John McEnroe and Virginia Wade. Over the years, Dunlop rackets have evolved a lot, and their newest invention is the new CX Series rackets with Sonic Core made with Infinergy foam developed by BASF and PowerGrid StringTech technology. Given the fact that there are lots of Dunlop tennis rackets for sale on the market, there are some important things to have in mind before buying the first one that attracts your eye. Having this in mind, I don’t think that someone doubts whether Dunlop rackets are good or not.
What to Look for in a Racquet?
Just like choosing the right shoe size, choosing the right Dunlop tennis racquet can make a huge difference in how good you’ll be performing. Even if you have just started playing tennis, the right tennis racquet can make or break your experience. So besides taking into account its appearance, make sure to also choose a racquet that feels good in your hands, a racquet that won’t feel too heavy or too light once you hold it.
Consider the Racquet’s Length, Weight and Head Size/Shape
Length
The racquet’s length needs to be measured from the tip of the head’s tip to the handle’s butt (end). Generally speaking, the racquets; length can range between 27 inches (69cm) and 29 inches (74cm), whereas the latter, is the maximum length allowed for both non-professional and professional tennis. The most important thing you should know about the racquet’s length is that the longer ones will provide you with a bigger reach, allowing you to hit the ball further away from your body. The biggest downside of these racquets is that they’re harder to hold and use, so they’re certainly not the best option for beginners.
Weight
Speaking of weight, you should know that the heavier the racquet, the more powerful it’ll be. It’s said that these racquets are also more stable and can transmit less shock to your hands. Lighter racquets are better for beginners because they are easier to use and maneuver. Thanks to its weight, a lighter racquet won’t exhaust your upper body as a heavier racquet can do. As you advance, you can add weight to your lighter racquet with the help of a lead tape. Simple as that! And keep in mind that it’s easier to add weight to a racquet and to take it off, but it’s impossible to reduce the weight of a heavier racquet.
Head Size and Shape
The place where the strings create the face of the racquet is its head. Generally speaking, it’s separated into three different categories:
- Midsize – 85 – 97 inches (550 – 625cm)
- Mid-Plus – 98 – 105 inches (630 – 680cm)
- Oversized – 106 – 135 inches (685 – 870cm)
You need to choose the right head size for your needs because this can impact two aspects of the game, the power when hitting the ball and the control you’ll be feeling over the racquet. Just as the length, a larger racquet’s head is difficult to maneuver than a smaller one.
Think of the Frame’s Stiffness
The stiffness of a racquet is determined by the racquet’s frame and strings. Generally speaking, it’s believed that flexible racquets can provide you with better control. However, they absorb more power so they could deform more when hitting the ball. Consequently, a stiffer racquet won’t deform, however, it’ll give you less control which makes it uncomfortable.
The stiffness of a racquet is usually measured with the RA method that analyzes how flexible it is when a certain force is applied in one place of the racquet. The RA index can range between 55 and 75 where:
- 55 – 60 low stiffness
- 61 – 65 medium stiffness
- 66 – 70 rather stiff
- 71 – 75 very stiff
Think of the Beam
The last important thing to have in mind is the racquet’s beam which is the thickness of the racquet head. The thicker the beam, the stiffer the racquet which, on the other hand, will send more energy into the ball that will result in more power. A thinner beam is more flexible and can absorb more energy that will provide you with more control and comfort.
