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The Dunlop SX racquets are built for tennis players who want to maximize the spin in their game. Dunlop has several versions of the SX racquet so that beginners, intermediate players, and advanced players alike can all find one with the specs they like.
Below, we’ll review each of the Dunlop SX tennis racquets and suggest the best alternatives to help you find the optimal racquet for your tennis game. You can also look at our list of the best overall tennis racquets.
Review Summary & Ratings for the Dunlop SX Racquets
The Dunlop SX 300 is a very stable, spin-friendly racquet that plays best on the return of serve.
See our ratings, plus the pros and cons of the Dunlop SX below for a quick glance at how it performs compared to other tennis racquets.
Our Ratings for the Dunlop SX
- Power: 8
- Control: 6
- Spin: 9
- Serve: 7
- Return: 8
- Groundstrokes: 8
- Volleys: 6
- Price: $$$
Pros
- Great spin potential
- Exceptional power
- Maneuverable
- Stable
Cons
- Difficult to control flat shots
- Not for players with arm injuries
Different Versions of the Dunlop SX Racquet
The Dunlop SX comes in several versions varying in weight, head size, and string pattern so players at different levels who prefer spin-friendly racquets can all find one to their liking.
We will review each version in more detail below.
Dunlop SX 300 Review: An Underrated Spin Racquet
The Dunlop SX 300 performs admirably as a racquet built for spin, and deserves more attention than it gets.
Dunlop SX 300 Specifications
- Weight: 11.2 ounces strung
- Head Size: 100 square inches
- Length: 27 inches
- Stiffness: 68
- Balance: 330.2 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
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Groundstrokes: Easy Topspin
The Dunlop SX 300 was very easy to pick up and begin hitting groundstrokes. It generates exceptional spin with ease, allowing you to swing out without worrying about hitting deep. If the spin is causing your balls to be a little short, the Dunlop FX 500 has a little extra power. Even on off-center hits, the stability and spin provide forgiveness helping you to still get the ball back into play. While slice shots tended to float a little, overall the Dunlop SX 300 is fantastic at hitting groundstrokes.
Serves: Great for Slice or Kick Serves
Unsurprisingly the Dunlop SX 300 continued to provide great spin potential on serve. Slice and kick serves were particularly aided by the racquet, while flat serves tended to be a little less reliable. When the flat serves landed in, they were very powerful thanks to the stiff nature of the SX 300.
Volleys: Solid Stability but Lacking Touch
Volleys with the Dunlop SX 300 were okay overall. The best features were the stability on off-center hits and decent maneuverability. However, the racquet doesn’t offer a very connected feel which makes touch shots suffer. This racquet performed best at the net with quick reaction volleys where its power and stability could help get the ball back even on off-center hits. You can check out the Dunlop CX 200 if you prioritize touch and control over spin and power.
Returns: Excellent for Depth & Defense
Returning is where the Dunlop SX 300 really shines. The spin potential allows for full swings on the return, putting the pressure right back on the server. The stability also provides a little extra room for error against stronger servers. Even blocking back serves when stretched out can be returned deep with the power provided from this stiff racquet.
Overall, the SX 300 Provides Great Spin Potential and Forgiveness for Intermediate and Advanced Players
Overall, the Dunlop SX 300 is an underrated spin-friendly racquet. For the intermediate to advanced player who loves to swing out and hit with a ton of spin, it is a great option that should definitely be given a chance, along with some of the other best tennis racquets for intermediate players.
Other Racquets in the Dunlop SX Line
SX 300 Tour | SX 300 LS | SX 300 Lite | SX 600 |
---|---|---|---|
Smaller 98 square inch head size and slightly heavier 11.4 ounce weight. | Lighter 10.6 ounce weight. | Lower 63 stiffness and more open 16×18 string pattern. | Larger 105 square inch head size and longer 27.25 inch length. |
Increased control without sacrificing spin or power. | Easier to swing. | More arm-friendly. | Increased power and forgiveness. |
Maintains above-average stability and forgiveness. | Overall easier to use while still offering great spin potential. | Keeps great spin potential. | Lower maneuverability. |
Great for intermediate and advanced players. | Intermediate players who need something a little lighter. | Beginner to intermediate players, especially those who want to prevent, or recover from, injury. | Beginner to intermediate players who want extra power with extended length. |
Buy the SX 300 Tour on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the SX 300 LS on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the SX 300 Lite on Tennis Warehouse | Buy the SX 600 on Tennis Warehouse |
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Who Should Use the Dunlop SX Line of Racquets?
With the variety of racquets in the Dunlop SX line, there is a racquet for almost everybody who enjoys spin-friendly racquets. Players who like to dictate points with spin will want to give these racquets a try.
- The SX 300 and SX 300 Tour will be best utilized by intermediate to advanced players with groundstrokes built for spin.
- The SX 300 LS and SX 300 Lite are a little easier to use and will be enjoyed by beginner and intermediate players alike.
- Dunlop also has the SX 600 for those interested in a racquet with an extended length for a little extra power.
Best Alternatives to the Dunlop SX Tennis Racquets
Below are several tennis racquets similar to the Dunlop SX line of racquets and some of the best tennis racquets for spin:
- Babolat Pure Aero – Babolat’s more popular take on the spin racquet with similar power and stability.
- Head Extreme – A more arm-friendly racquet with a little more control.
- Wilson Clash – A softer racquet with a little more maneuverability.
- Yonex Vcore – A more forgiving alternative with Yonex’s unique isometric head shape.
My Experience Playing with the Dunlop SX
I played with the Dunlop SX 300 practicing both singles and doubles and during a doubles match.
The Spin and Stability of the SX was Surprisingly Solid
I’m normally not the biggest fan of racquets geared towards maximizing spin. While I do enjoy hitting with a lot of spin, I normally find them lacking on serve and at net. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the intensity of my kick serves with the Dunlop SX 300. I also was able to get more returns in play even on off-center shots thanks to the stability and forgiveness.
Flatter Groundstrokes and Serves were not Great with the SX
While topspin groundstrokes were excellent, I also like to flatten out shots on occasion, and those shots were a little more erratic than I’m used to. I had a similar experience on my serve; my kick serves were bigger than ever but I wasn’t able to hone in my flat serves very consistently. If you’re looking for a racquet that’s a little bit easier to swing, take a look at the best tennis racquets for beginners.
The SX was a Mixed Bag at the Net
The Dunlop SX 300 racquet was very stable and surprisingly maneuverable at the net. It worked great on quick reaction volleys where I wasn’t able to fully prepare and hit the volley with proper technique. However, on volleys where I was in more control, I didn’t feel very connected to the racquet.
My touch volleys suffered and I didn’t feel as confident placing the volleys when I needed to hit my spots. For best results, pair the Dunlop SX 300 with one of the best tennis strings, particularly one that is shaped to further enhance the racquet’s spin potential.
Overall, I recommend the Dunlop SX 300 for intermediate and advanced players who enjoy swinging out, dictating points with their spin.
The Dunlop SX line as a whole has a racquet for players at all levels looking to maximize their spin. They perform especially great from the baseline on groundstrokes and the return of serve.
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