Modern tennis is a power sport now, but the best players aren’t just hitting harder. They’re hitting harder while staying in control.

That’s the idea behind the Dunlop FX 2026 range, and it’s why Jack Draper is the perfect face for this launch. His game is built on intent. Big lefty pace. Heavy patterns. Then the calm to finish points properly when it gets tight.

To mark the launch, Dunlop, the LTA, and Pro:Direct Tennis linked up at the National Tennis Centre, spending the day courtside with Draper to dig into what the FX 2026 actually does, and why small setup decisions can shape a whole playing style.

Modern power meets complete control

For Draper, the FX 500 isn’t just a racket. It’s a tool that lets him play his brand of tennis.

He talks about the balance that matters most in today’s game. Creating pace from the baseline, but still feeling the ball enough to land it where you want. Power without control is just noise. The FX line is built to keep it sharp.

That’s the core theme of FX 2026. More stability and feel, so you can stay aggressive without losing your shape when rallies heat up.

Finding the perfect setup: the details Draper cares about

Draper has worked with Dunlop since 2017, and like any player who’s serious about improving, he’s refined the details over time.

Grip size. String tension. Small tweaks that change how a racket behaves under pressure.

This year he made a subtle change that says a lot about where modern tennis is heading.

He switched from a grip size 4 to a grip size 3.

That move makes sense if you think about what smaller grips allow. More whip. Faster racket head speed. Easier access to spin. And for a lefty, that extra movement can turn a serve into a bigger problem for opponents.

It’s not a change you make for fun. It’s a change you make because you know what kind of ball you want to hit.

Tension, touch, and playing the conditions

String tension is where players quietly win matches.

Draper’s approach is methodical. He usually plays in the 52 to 54 lb range, then adjusts based on conditions.

Cold weather? Drop tension slightly to get more bounce and feel.
Altitude? Go higher to keep the ball down and stop it flying.

He also keeps multiple rackets in the bag with slightly different tensions, because control is about options. It’s having the right response ready before the match asks the question.

That mindset fits the FX 2026 story perfectly. Power you can tune. Feel you can trust.

Keeping it simple: the real Draper lesson

Here’s the bit most players need to hear.

Draper isn’t chasing new gear every few months. His message is simple. Once you find what works, stick with it and learn how to use it better.

The racket helps, but improvement is still the boring stuff. Reps. Patterns. Discipline. Turning up.

FX 2026 is built for that kind of progression. Reliable performance, not gimmicks. A frame that rewards consistency and lets players grow into it.

Always learning, always improving

At 23, Draper already speaks like a player with proper perspective.

He talks about learning constantly, even at the top. The best players in history stayed curious. Stayed open. Stayed willing to adapt.

He also speaks clearly about where his own game is going. He’s always been comfortable defending, but the goal is to become more proactive. To dictate more. To take control of points rather than waiting for them to arrive.

That’s exactly the type of tennis the FX 2026 range is built for.

Bold, aggressive, but clean.

Win a VIP experience at Queen’s 2026

To celebrate the launch of the all-new FX 500, Pro:Direct Tennis and Dunlop are offering a chance to win a VIP experience at the 2026 HSBC Championships at Queen’s.

The prize includes:

• full hospitality access in the LTA Lounge

• prime courtside partner seating

• behind-the-scenes access to the Dunlop stringing area

• an exclusive Dunlop x Pro:Direct Tennis merch pack

Every purchase of an adult Dunlop FX 500 racket enters you into the draw.

Complete your FX setup

To get the most from the racket, Dunlop’s FX luggage and their Explosive Spin or Explosive Bite strings are built to pair naturally with the FX system.

If you’re the kind of player who likes a dialled-in setup, this is the easy way to keep everything consistent, from the bag to the stringbed.

Final court truth

The Dunlop FX 2026 range is built for the modern power game, but it’s not just about hitting harder.

It’s about hitting harder with shape, with feel, with the kind of control that holds up when your legs go and the points get tight.

That’s why Draper fits this launch. Bold tennis, but not reckless.

Power, with purpose.