British stalwarts Dunlop possess one of the most recognisable logos in the game: the energetic “Flying D” has flashed through the air at tennis courts around the world since the 1960s. But their history goes back much further. All the way to 1888 and founder John Boyd Dunlop’s invention of the rubber pneumatic tyre for bicycles, a revolutionary development with all kinds of applications.
A few decades later, having initially entered the world of sport by producing rubber golf balls, Dunlop turned to tennis, using their expertise in vulcanisation to create some of the first “modern” tennis balls in 1923.
Then came the rackets. Or, more specifically, then came the Maxply. First introduced in 1932, the legendary wooden frame dominated the professional game for the next 50 years. Rod Laver wielded it to win both of his calendar year Grand Slams in the 60s, and it was in the hands of John McEnroe as he secured his Wimbledon and US Open double in 1981. After the Maxply came the carbon fibre Max 150G, and then the 200G – the racket Steffi Graf used to win the Golden Slam in 1988.
Dunlop’s focus extends beyond the pro game, though. In fact, their mission is to share the joy of tennis, giving every player the chance to enjoy the process of getting better, bit by bit, whatever your level.
Following that ethos, their modern range is clearly defined and easy to choose from. You’ve got the CX series for control, the FX for power, and the SX for spin, all available in a selection of weights and headsizes, of course.
Dunlop LX 800 Tennis Racket (Unstrung)
Let your racket do the work with the Dunlop LX 800 Tennis Racket (Unstrung) in Silver/White/Cashmere, unlocking natural power while staying playable to help develop your skills and confidence as a player.
Delivering heavy power with minimal effort, the Dunlop LX 800 Tennis Racket (Unstrung) has a large head size enhanced with Straight String System and Power Boost Grove technology to enlarge the sweet spot, allowing you to hit heavy winners with confidence. Weighing just 255 grams, the racket is manoeuvrable and playable, allowing you to play with fast hands to react and adapt to your opponent’s return. Comfort comes from Vibroshield technology, which places vibration dampening materials at specific points in the frame to absorb the impact of the ball hitting the strings and protect the health of your arms.
Delivering heavy power with minimal effort, the Dunlop LX 800 Tennis Racket (Unstrung) has a large head size enhanced with Straight String System and Power Boost Grove technology to enlarge the sweet spot, allowing you to hit heavy winners with confidence. Weighing just 255 grams, the racket is manoeuvrable and playable, allowing you to play with fast hands to react and adapt to your opponent’s return. Comfort comes from Vibroshield technology, which places vibration dampening materials at specific points in the frame to absorb the impact of the ball hitting the strings and protect the health of your arms.
Dunlop
Control Racket
Control rackets usually have closed string patterns – essentially, more strings per area – to increase ball contact and give you more control over your shots. They tend to have thinner beams to allow more flex and often utilise material technologies to make you feel more connected to the ball.
Features
• Unstrung Weight: 255g / 9 oz
• Headsize: 710 sq cm / 110 sq in
• Length: 68.6cm / 27in
• String Pattern: 16 / 18
• Balance: 355mm / 4pts HL
• Beam Width: 26-27-26mm
• Straight String System - Play shots with even more power, spin, and feel with parallel drill holes and strings creating a larger hitting area
• Vibroshield – Vibration dampening technology in the racket frame
• Power Boost Groove - New grommet structure engineered to increase string movement and enlarge the sweet spot, allowing players to unleash decisive smashes and ground strokes
• Flex Touch Resin – Smooth out your game with a high-elasticity and vibration-dampening racket for increased touch and feel
Additional Information
- Quick Ref: 1028623
- Man. Ref: 1035770-123
Choosing the Right Grip Size for your Tennis Racket
One often overlooked, but crucial, aspect when selecting a tennis racket is the grip size. The grip size is the measurement around the handle's circumference, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your comfort, control, and potential to prevent injury. This article will guide you through the process of selecting the right tennis racket grip size.
Importance of Choosing the Right Grip Size
A correctly sized tennis grip ensures you have optimal control over your racket and helps prevent injuries. Too small a grip may cause your hand to shift during play, reducing accuracy and increasing the risk of developing tennis elbow due to overuse of the forearm muscles. Conversely, a grip that's too large can make the racket hard to turn and manipulate, and it could also lead to hand, wrist, or shoulder injuries due to overgripping.
Measuring Your Grip Size
There are two common methods to measure your grip size:
- The Ruler Method: Open your dominant hand and extend your fingers. Align a ruler with the bottom lateral crease of your palm, measuring to the tip of your ring finger. The measurement in inches correlates with your grip size.
- The Finder Test: Hold the racket with a standard Eastern forehand grip, where the base knuckle of your index finger is on bevel #3. You should be able to fit the index finger of your other hand in the space between your ring finger and the palm that's gripping the racket. If there's not enough room for your finger, the grip is too small. If there's too much space, the grip is too large.
Grip Sizes: U.S. vs. European
In the U.S., grip sizes range from 4 inches to 4 ¾ inches, increasing in increments of 1/8 inch. European grip sizes use a different naming system, L0 to L5, each correlating to their U.S. counterparts as follows:
| European Grip Size | US Grip Size |
|---|---|
| L0 or G0 | 4 Inches |
| L1 or G1 | 4 1/8 inches |
| L2 or G2 | 4 1/4 inches |
| L3 or G3 | 4 3/8 inches |
| L4 or G4 | 4 1/2 inches |
| L5 or G5 | 4 5/8 inches |
Choosing the Right Grip Size
When choosing the right grip size, consider the following points:
- Go for the smaller size if you're in between: It's easier to increase the size of a grip than decrease it. You can always add an overgrip (which usually adds about 1/16 inch) to a smaller handle to increase its size, but shaving down a larger handle is not recommended as it can compromise the racket's structural integrity.
- Consider your style of play: Players who rely on spin might prefer a smaller grip size, which allows for more wrist action. In contrast, players seeking control may benefit from a larger grip size.
- Test it out: If possible, try before you buy. Visit a local sports store, hold the racket, and mimic your swing to see how it feels. Remember that comfort is key - if it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't.
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