Dunlop FX Series Review: Power On

The modern tennis game is geared toward power. Now more than ever, the demand for power-focused frames continues to dominate both amateur and professional levels. Dunlop, one of tennis’s most prominent racquet manufacturers, knows this all too well. Which is why they’ve brought us yet another edition of the Dunlop FX, a racquet specifically designed for power.

I was lucky enough to test these new racquets first-hand before their release, and I’ve got to say, groundstrokes have never been this huge. Personally, I prefer control racquets over power racquets, but after using the Dunlop FX Tennis Racquet, I might have to make a change soon. My groundstrokes were noticeably more powerful, my serve bigger, and my smashes monstrous. What surprised me most about this racquet was just how easy it generates power. I didn’t have to swing as hard to generate copious amounts of speed and spin on my shot. This allowed me to focus on hitting more accurately while simultaneously saving my arms from fatigue.

I’d say this racquet is ideal for amateur to advanced players looking for a frame to add power to their game. While the FX series isn’t hailed as one of the best racquets for pros and advanced recreational players, I would beg to differ. This racquet is friendly to beginners/amateurs learning to play, and a deadly weapon for those looking to hit bombs from the baseline.

Here are the three categories I think the Dunlop FX tennis racquet truly shines.

Power

The Dunlop FX’s greatest benefit is its power. I’ve hit many racquets over the years, and the FX is easily one of the most powerful racquets I’ve used. There are many reasons to play with a power-focused tennis racquet; one being it's the easiest way to put pressure on your opponent. Why should YOU play with a power racquet? This is a question you should be wondering. Maybe you need some extra power on your groundstrokes. Maybe you need a bigger serve. As a fellow tennis player, I highly recommend finding good reasons to play with such a racquet. It’s important to play with a frame that complements your game.

Sweet Spot

I typically play with control racquets, which tend to have the sweetest of sweet spots. The FX Series, however, has an incredible sweet spot. Not only does it feel incredible to hit it, but it’s also very generous. Even when I don’t hit the exact center of the strings, I feel like I’m hitting the sweet spot. The FX racquet is very, very forgiving.

Feel

Most power-focused racquets are lacking in the feel department. Either they’re not accurate enough or they emit too much vibration. The Dunlop FX boasts incredible feel. I like to hit slices and drop shots, and I felt very comfortable doing so with this racquet. While it’s certainly not as accurate as a control-focused frame, it’s still capable of catching your opponent off guard with a cheeky drop shot.

• Cons – I really like this racquet, which makes it hard to be critical about it. That said, I have one reservation. As an advanced player, I wish this racquet offered just a little more accuracy. I was stoked about its power capabilities… until I felt like I was missing the lines by a foot or two. In top-flight tennis, every inch counts.

Who is this Racquet For?

This racquet could certainly be used by a professional. In fact, Jack Draper uses it. But I would say this racquet would best fit amateur and recreational players. Its friendly usage would highly benefit recreational players, and its versatile design is ideal for young players hoping to up their game. Its weight and head size could be enjoyed by just about any tennis player in the world.

FX Series Technology

The FX 500 Tour's technological arsenal centers on innovations that revolutionize play. POWER WAVE GROMMETS expand the racquet's sweet spot while amplifying power generation, ensuring consistent performance across the string bed. VIBROSHIELD technology integrates anti-vibration rubber material directly into the handle, dramatically reducing shock transmission and enhancing feel during aggressive rallies. The strategically engineered POWER BOOST + FRAME GEOMETRY varies beam thickness throughout the frame, optimizing energy transfer to generate explosive ball speeds with minimal effort. Meanwhile, SONIC CORE material embedded within the frame provides superior rebound properties that simultaneously promote comfort and dampen unwanted vibrations, creating a remarkably smooth hitting experience that allows players to maintain precision and power throughout extended baseline exchanges.

Last Thoughts

After extensive testing, the Dunlop FX genuinely astonished me. As a dedicated control racquet player, I didn't expect to love a power frame, but the effortless power generation and incredibly forgiving sweet spot completely won me over. Yes, pinpoint accuracy suffers slightly compared to control frames, but its overall performance was impressive.