DUNLOP M 4.0 Tennis Racquet Review
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Groundstrokes
The Dunlop M4.0 is capable of producing a fast, whippy swing. Coming in at just under 11 ounces strung, the frame feels like lightning through the air. On topspin strokes, the distribution of mass towards the top of the hoop helps to bring the head of the racquet quickly through the contact zone. The stringbed, of Dunlop Silk, pockets nicely, and launches the ball with plenty power. The resulting shot is both fast and heavy. Flatter shots feel less controlled, as the top of the racquet comes through the stroke, and around the hand, faster than usual. I found my cross court shots to come off the racquet at a sharper angle than usual, which sometime put the ball outside of the sidelines. Players that hit a flat often may need to spend some time getting used to the frame, while players that use moderate to high amounts of topspin will not have as hard a time with control.
Volleys
At the net, the M4.0 is easy to maneuverable, and supplies both power and comfort. High floating balls are easy to crush, thanks to the light weight of the frame, as well as the softness of the stringbed. Chest high volleys sink into the strings, and come off the racquet with reliable speed. Even off-center hits seemed to work, and the softness of the stringbed seemed to absorb enough energy to keep the frame from twisting in my hands. The top of the hoop is also fairly active, which helps players to get one more ball over the net despite being at full stretch. Though the racquet provides easy access to power, the level of control that I prefer is just not there, as I found it difficult to dial in drop shots and place shorter angles. In terms of comfort, the feel at contact is soft and almost “foamy,” which seems to be the trend with many modern frames.
Serves
On serves, the quickness of the M4.0 makes crushing the ball easy. Adjusting to the frame only took a few practice swings. After that brief period, I could both bomb flat serves and cut spin serves. While I ultimately prefer a slightly heavier frame for the additional mass and control, the M4.0 still ranked in at a high level. Though the M4.0 produced a serve that was still fast and heavy, I found the feel at contact to be a little vague. As the M4.0 achieves most of its power from the elasticity of stringbed, I just didn’t get the same level of connection to the ball as with heavier frames. With enough time, I could most likely acclimate to the feel, especially considering it provided comfort in an addition to power.
Overall
The Dunlop M4.0 is a great choice for intermediate players that enjoy hitting with whippy topspin strokes, as well as players looking to add more MPH to their serves. Thanks to the maneuverability of the frame, doubles players will appreciate the ability to put away sitters with loads of power and speed. Additionally, the comfort and the specs of the frame will work nicely as a platform for customization. With the right string choice, this racquet has the potential to fit a variety of players, ranging from intermediate to advanced.
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