Intro

Like other racquets in the SX line, the Dunlop SX 600 is aided by new Spin Boost Grommets, which help the strings move appropriately for increased spin levels. It also includes Sonic Core technology with Infinergy — an elastic material that provides an increase in comfort. This racquet also contains wider crosses in the upper part of the stringbed, aka Dunlop’s PowerGrid StringTech system, producing a friendlier feel on shots hit in the upper area.

The SX 600 combines power, spin, comfort, and speed all into one frame. However, with a larger head size (105 sq. in.) and a slightly longer length (27.25 in.), it’s the one anomaly in the SX family. The additional ¼ inch in length provides a little extra reach and more balance on shots. This racquet weighs 10.2 ounces strung and features a 16 x 19 string pattern, a 313 swing weight, and a stiffness rating of 66. Due to the weight and head size, I had a preconceived idea of how this frame would play, and it met my expectations. Here’s how it tested:

Groundstrokes

From the baseline, this racquet favored slow and compact swings. It was more difficult for me to handle high, heavy spin near or behind the baseline as opposed to approach shots. I had easier access to spin on lower balls or ones that landed shallow in the court. If I tried to swing too hard or too fast on high balls, there was much less control. But with the right swing speed, the SX 600 plays comfortably and fast. My strokes produced easy depth in the court and I could generate remarkable power when the ball was in my forehand strike zone.

Volleys

The extended ¼ inch length really came in handy at the net. When my opponent tried to hit a passing shot, I was able to reach either to my right or left and volley the ball back. This added court coverage will give improving intermediate players confidence at net, and I recommend coming in when you get the chance.

Another trait of the SX 600 is the forgiving and stable hitting area, which materialized at net. I could contact the ball late or hit it outside of the sweet spot, and still block it over. On a mishit, the frame’s forgiveness resulted in an unintentional drop volley. Plus, the racquet felt maneuverable when I crushed a slow-paced passing shot.

Serves

When I hit the sweet spot of the stringbed, this racquet produced tons of pop on serves. I started off strong, having no trouble generating pace and a bit of spin on first and second serves. As time went on, I had to slow down my service motion and swing speed. It’s lightweight and easy to swing, but swinging too fast resulted in my serves going long.

Thanks to the larger head size and slightly extended length, it was easy to contact the ball above my head, and with authority! For me, the SX 600 lacked a bit of control on serves, but it ranked very high in the power category.

Overall

The SX 600 is a solid option for beginner to rising intermediate players who want to optimize their spin potential. This lightweight frame makes it easy to react quickly, generate spin, and accelerate forcefully through contact. The hitting zone is comfortable and powerful on groundstrokes, which makes it user-friendly with a slow, compact swing.

Improving players will appreciate the generous head size for producing powerful serves and a forgiving hitting area on volleys. Plus, the quarter-inch extended length enables extra reach and greater leverage. If you’re looking for a lightweight racquet with access to power, spin, and comfort, the Dunlop SX 600 won’t disappoint.

NOTE: I playtested this racquet using Dunlop Silk Pro strung at 55 lbs.

About the Reviewer: Chris Griesedieck played high school tennis in the St. Louis area and competed in USTA junior tournaments in the Missouri Valley section. Today he is an active 4.5 USTA tournament player and is a PTR certified coach.