Dunlop Max 200g - THE BEST RACQUET EVER MADE!!!

[papasito]

I personally think that the Dunlop MAX 200G is the best racquet ever made. Please give me any other racquet that has won more grand slam titles than this one and has a better feeling and dynamic stiffness if you can. That is why this racquet is in the science museum! Do you know of any other racquet being there? I do not think so.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/Pix/TRA/03/10276503_T.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.scienceandsociety.co.uk/results.asp%3Ftxtkeys1%3DRacket&h=84&w=128&sz=5&tbnid=d0d9RHQR55yajM:&tbnh=55&tbnw=85&hl=en&start=14&prev=/images%3Fq%3DDunlop%2BMAX%2B200G%26svnum%3D10%26hl %3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN
http://www.woodtennis.com/McEnroe/

[papasito]

By the way, Martina Navratilova was so intimidated by the victories of Steffi Graf that she personally threw her Yonex in the corner and got a Dunlop MAX 200G which was painted black!!!
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://members.tripod.com/Navratilova/P-Usopen87.jpg&imgrefurl=http://members.tripod.com/Navratilova/gallindex.html&h=249&w=324&sz=26&tbnid=mZdp1EmA74hVSM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=114&hl=en&start=24&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMartina%2BNavratilova%26start%3D20%26 svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN
http://www.aasportscollectibles.com/tennis-golf/navratalova8x10.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/images/people/martina2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/sports.html&h=163&w=246&sz=9&tbnid=5q_17NIQBbvH6M:&tbnh=69&tbnw=105&hl=en&start=367&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMartina%2BNavratilova%26start%3D360%2 6svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DN

[jura]

How many GS titles did the MAX 200G won? About 20. And this by only 2 players: Graf and McEnroe. Maybe Navratilova captured on slam with it during the few months she used it, I don't remember exactly. And now just count the GS titles of Sampras, Courier and Edberg who all used the PS 6.0 and now you have at least one "better" racket.
What about the PC 600? Didn't won that many grand slams, but it was used by so many pro's, lot more than the 200G. And it is still.
Sorry, but saying any racket is the best ever made is only stupid, nothing else!

[papasito]

I think that you count only the singles titles... Now add the doubles and the mixed doubles and you will find out that the number of grand slams won with the Dunlop MAX 200G was significantly greater. Steffi Graf: 4 Australian Open singles, 6 French Open singles, 7 Wimbledon singles and one Wimbledon doubles, 5 US Open singles. One of Steffi's singles titles at the French Open was won with a Wilson (especially made for her to play like the Dunlop MAX 200G) so substract it from the whole number. John McEnroe: 3 Wimbledon singles and 4 Wimbledon doubles, 4 US Open singles and 3 US Open doubles. All in all, 37 grand slam titles won by both. Now substract 37-1 and you get 36 grand slam titles won with the Dunlop MAX 200G only by Graf and McEnroe. And I am not sure if there were other players who did win using the same racquet, which is very possible. Dunlop MAX 200G is a legend! I honestly doubt that all of the players you mentioned above have won as many grand slam titles, using the same racquet, put together! But that's not my point! I may be wrong about the most grand slam titles, its just something I've heard and when I thought about it, I realized that it was very possible. I did not post this thread to start any arguments, I did it because I share my opinion and experience. The truth is that I have never played with a racquet that came even close to the Dunlop MAX 200G and I miss it. I wish that Dunlop executives will eventually decide to make a new racquet that offers the same features, but that's probably impossible since all the equipment that was used for that technology was destroyed. I personally think that this is very sad. I have been playing tennis for 20 years now and I know a lot of people that still cannot replace this stick, because they can't find anything that comes close to the feeling it offers. As a matter of fact, there was a top 100 tennis pro that used it until 1999... and the racket was last produced in 1991! Anyway, I have played with the Wilson 6.0 that Sampras used and I like it, but it is not the same; the soft feeling of the racquet, effortlessly hitting through the ball, is not there. The only racquets that I have played with and I think come somewhat close to the Dunlop MAX 200G are the Adidas of Ivan Lendl and the Puma of Boris Becker to a certain extent.

[tandayu]

So why are you selling your max 200g on the classified section?

[papasito]

I believe you are making a mistake my friend! I am not selling anything...

[PM_]

So why are you selling your max 200g on the classified section?

ROFLOL:mrgreen: :p

[jura]

I think that you count only the singles titles... Now add the doubles and the mixed doubles and you will find out that the number of grand slams won with the Dunlop MAX 200G was significantly greater. Steffi Graf: 4 Australian Open singles, 6 French Open singles, 7 Wimbledon singles and one Wimbledon doubles, 5 US Open singles. One of Steffi's singles titles at the French Open was won with a Wilson (especially made for her to play like the Dunlop MAX 200G) so substract it from the whole number. John McEnroe: 3 Wimbledon singles and 4 Wimbledon doubles, 4 US Open singles and 3 US Open doubles. All in all, 37 grand slam titles won by both. Now substract 37-1 and you get 36 grand slam titles won with the Dunlop MAX 200G only by Graf and McEnroe.
Graf switched to Wilson 1994. (And her Wilson is not that much like the MAX 200G, even the construction is totally different!) So Graf won only 14 singles and 1 doubles grand slam with the 200G. Also McEnroe captured at least 4 singles and 4 doubles titles with wood rackets. So altogether 20 grand slam titels will be left! Maybe some more doubles titles by other players, but the same for the PS 6.0. BTW I forgot the AO title won by Mary Pierce with the PS 6.0.
If you find the MAX 200G the best racket you ever played with - ok, that's your opinion. But once again: The say that ANY racket is the best racket ever made is only stupid, nothing else. Or could you say which one is the most beautiful picture ever painted?

[Steve Huff]

If the 200g was the best racket ever made, and Graf and McEnroe both QUIT using them to use something else, does that mean these 2 new rackets they used were "better than the best racket ever made"? They must have seen some improvement or they would not have changed. Too much logic, huh?

[sureshs]

[QUOTE=jura]Graf switched to Wilson 1994. (And her Wilson is not that much like the MAX 200G, even the construction is totally different!) QUOTE]

I was about to say. She was playing with a Wilson in the recent exhibition partnering her husband.

[papasito]

They only switched because Dunlop stoped making the MAX 200G. And Graf plays with a Wilson now, because Dunlop MAX 200G is nowhere to be found. Anyway, has anyone of you ever played with the MAX 200G? What did you think about it? I personally played with one of the Wilson racquets that Graf used and found it similar to the Dunlop. Of course, every player has his/her demands from a tennis racquet, but to me and many others Dunlop MAX 200G is the best and we are wondering for a long time why Dunlop stopped making its most successful racquet and completely abandoned the technology. They could have kept making it along with the new models just like they did from Wilson and Head... I think what they did was stupid.

[BreakPoint]

Yeah, Mac won 3 of his US Open singles with a wood racquet (Wilson Kramer Pro Staff, then Dunlop Maxply Fort), and one Wimbledon singles with wood (Wilson Kramer Pro Staff). Many doubles titles also won with wood.

With that said, the Dunlop Max 200g was a great racquet. That's why I used it for 13 years!

[BreakPoint]

Of course, every player has his/her demands from a tennis racquet, but to me and many others Dunlop MAX 200G is the best and we are wondering for a long time why Dunlop stopped making its most successful racquet and completely abandoned the technology. They could have kept making it along with the new models just like they did from Wilson and Head... I think what they did was stupid.

Read this thread: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=28722

"Racketdesign" was the Design Manager at Dunlop.

The high cost also forced Dunlop to close the only injection molding factory that made the Max 200G (in England) around 1992.

[PugArePeopleToo]

I love Dunlop Max 200g. To me, it's the best ever.

[papasito]

Breakpoint, thanks for pointing me out to that thread! I really enjoyed reading it. And just for some information, I never was able to switch to Wilson 6.0ProStaff 85 Original or Head prestige. However great these frames may seem to be for others. Wilson is not bad, but still lacks the feel that I get from the MAX 200G. Do you people know how John McEnroe switched to Dunlop MAX 200G? I will let you know. He was practicing with his brother (Patric McEnroe) and John was losing pretty badly... Than he decided to try Patric's racquet to see why his brother was playing so unusually good and never put it down since til the end of his professional carrier. It just happened so that Patric was using the Dunlop MAX 200G!

[jasonbourne]

They only switched because Dunlop stoped making the MAX 200G. And Graf plays with a Wilson now, because Dunlop MAX 200G is nowhere to be found. Anyway, has anyone of you ever played with the MAX 200G? What did you think about it? I personally played with one of the Wilson racquets that Graf used and found it similar to the Dunlop.

Which Wilson model did Graf switched to?

[VGP]

It's still no Wilson PS 85.

[christo]

I'll bet you money that if Dunlop had switched their production of the 200G to China early on , the cost savings would have enabled them to keep it going. I'm also surprised that just from a marketing standpoint the injection molding process hasn't been resurrected and used again. Maybe that's just what Dunlop needs to kickstart the company again

[Colpo]

One can definitely make the argument that the Max 200G is the GOAT of racquets (Greatest of All Time). First, it's got great pro lineage: two of the game's A-list all-time greats played the prime of their careers with this frame (three if you count Martina's lengthy flirtation with the Yonex-stenciled 200G) - that's big. It was also a bedrock frame for many other pros of the era. Second, it came along at an early time (1983) of the graphite revolution ... and it stuck. There were alot more companies then making small-batch graphite comp frames that aren't around now, so a particular model had to be that much more special to last for years. Also, it was a midsize, not an oversize, so while the Prince might've been more revolutionary, one can argue that the 200G was a better refinement of the Prince (better control and no trampoline issues). Last, it's a great frame with a true calling card: feel and vibration damping caused by the construction of chopped graphite fibres and injection molding process. My favorite version was the "Pro" from around '85-'86 with a stock tan Fairway grip: good-looking frame!

[Puffdaddy]

I have always thought the 200G was right up there with the Prince Graphite and Wilson Pro Staff as three of the greatest of all time.

Its funny, the Wilson Ultra (I think it was called) was actually the "premium" racquet compared to the Pro Staff at that time and more expensive because of the boron.

[tandayu]

One can definitely... My favorite version was the "Pro" from around '85-'86 with a stock tan Fairway grip: good-looking frame!

Max 200g is a great frame.

Colpo, Papasito and others can you tell me the cosmetic variations of the max 200g?

[Galactus]

I'd say all racquets made in the 1980-90s have a speciality to them. If I could own 5 racquets from this era I'd go for:
Dunlop Max 200g
Adidas GTX Pro-T
Wilson ProStaff Original
Head Prestige Classic 600
Donnay Pro-One

I think the first two in the list, as classic as they are, wouldn't be so usable today due to their 80" head-size.

[Colpo]

Max 200g is a great frame.

Colpo, Papasito and others can you tell me the cosmetic variations of the max 200g?

tandayu, while I'm not a year-by-year expert on the 200G, I can say that there were three big generational releases of the 200G before the model folded and Dunlop started to repackage the 200G brandname for its later frames:

1st generation was the original 1983 release, familiar black matte with gold and kelly green cosmetic, black leather grip embossed in gold with the Dunlop brand - mid-80s versions started to feature Mac's signature on the side, but this model didn't start that way because Mac started to play with the frame at his brother's suggestion

2nd generation had the added word Pro and was a slightly lighter version but essentially the same racquet that featured a similar but outlined cosmetic for more jazz and a stock tan Fairway grip (by the time, Graf had hit the scene, so I'm guessing 87-88 at the earliest for this frame)

Last notable version was the 91 or 92 model that featured a smoky deep purple matte with acid green accents and purple grip - Dunlop completely revamped the typefacing as well, making it more hip with the times - same chopped graphite construction

Another ticky-tack version was the Graf Golden Slam model limited release 89, but I don't think that rises to having its own level

[ilian]

Here are some pictures I have from the different models... All of them played exactly the same, contrary to what some people are saying. There it is, shining in all its glory - the best tennis racquet ever made:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_363_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_364_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_367_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_365_full.jpg

If you can't see the pics, go to this link where I have posted some:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/996619/4

[ilian]

Here are some more:

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_369_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_371_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/12/web/996000-996999/996619_370_full.jpg

[max]

Yes, it is the Greatest Frame of All.

[slice bh compliment]

Best racquet ever. I have some that have seen better days. One that still plays like a dream.

[javier sergio]

So why are you selling your max 200g on the classified section?:confused:

[returner]

Hey, we should petition Dunlop to reintroduce the max 200g, special edition like andre's head racquet.

[slice bh compliment]

So why are you selling your max 200g on the classified section?


Hhaha, I get it. It's a profit deal.

Sellout 'ho' talks it up. Raises awareness and pumps up the nostaligic value. And sells it for cash. Just pathetic.

Okay....how much do you want?

[ilian]

:confused:

You know that he just tried to confront me with that, right? I have never posted any MAX 200G for sale anywhere. Try to find a link where I do and then you can believe this clawn...

[Rabbit]

Please give me any other racquet that has won more grand slam titles than this one and has a better feeling and dynamic stiffness if you can.

I'm not quite sure you can quantify "feeling" and I'm not quite sure what dynamic stiffness is (shouldn't stiffness be static?), but the answer is so easy, I can give you two frame that have more Grand Slam titles than the Dunlop 200G.

In second place, the Wilson ProStaff (85 sq in version) which has won

Sampras - 14
Edberg - 6
Evert - 3(? I don't know if she was using it at the Australian)
Courier - 4

By my count, that's 27 Grand Slam singles titles alone.

But, the Grand Prize Winner for most Grand Slam Titles by one is racket is:

The Dunlop Maxply Fort which was wielded by John McEnroe BTW. It has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other frame. It also had an exquisite feel.




Do you people know how John McEnroe switched to Dunlop MAX 200G? I will let you know. He was practicing with his brother (Patric McEnroe) and John was losing pretty badly... Than he decided to try Patric's racquet to see why his brother was playing so unusually good and never put it down since til the end of his professional carrier. It just happened so that Patric was using the Dunlop MAX 200G!

This isn't quite true. John McEnroe did switch to the 200G after Patrick introduced him to it. But, John switched because he was having arm trouble at the time. Now, Patrick may have been beating him (badly? In 1983, J. McEnroe was #1 in the world and Patrick wasn't even in college yet?, so I doubt badly is the adverb I'd use) in a pick up match (which I also doubt), but the real reason is it relieved his arm pain.

[retrowagen]

Indeed, even period (1983-4) press ads in the USA had John McEnroe trumping how the Max 200G alleviated problems with his arm.

I second the notion that the Dunlop Maxply Fort was, and probably will always be, the winningest tennis racket of all time, it being wielded by Grand Slam winners from the 1930's through late 70's by male and female champions!

[BreakPoint]

Hey, we should petition Dunlop to reintroduce the max 200g, special edition like andre's head racquet.
That's not possible since the unique injection molding manufacturing equipment no longer exists. The only factory in the world that used this technology was the Dunlop plant in England which closed in 1992. You can't just ask a factory in China (which is where almost all racquets are made today) to make them because they can't get the equipment they need.

[ilian]

I'm not quite sure you can quantify "feeling" and I'm not quite sure what dynamic stiffness is (shouldn't stiffness be static?), but the answer is so easy, I can give you two frame that have more Grand Slam titles than the Dunlop 200G.

In second place, the Wilson ProStaff (85 sq in version) which has won

Sampras - 14
Edberg - 6
Evert - 3(? I don't know if she was using it at the Australian)
Courier - 4

By my count, that's 27 Grand Slam singles titles alone.

But, the Grand Prize Winner for most Grand Slam Titles by one is racket is:

The Dunlop Maxply Fort which was wielded by John McEnroe BTW. It has won more Grand Slam singles titles than any other frame. It also had an exquisite feel.




This isn't quite true. John McEnroe did switch to the 200G after Patrick introduced him to it. But, John switched because he was having arm trouble at the time. Now, Patrick may have been beating him (badly? In 1983, J. McEnroe was #1 in the world and Patrick wasn't even in college yet?, so I doubt badly is the adverb I'd use) in a pick up match (which I also doubt), but the real reason is it relieved his arm pain.


You may be right. I will not argue about it. When I mentioned about grand slam titles, I forgot to write down that I had in mind modern - graphite racquets. I know that Dunlop Maxplay has won more than any other racquet.

By dynamic stiffness I wanted to point to the fact that Dunlop MAX 200G gets stiffer the harder one hits the ball with it due to the injection moulding process that was used by Dunlop to make it.

I am sorry if someone feels offended by my post! I never intended to offend anyone. The sole purpose of my post was to express love for that racquet and to find out if there are others who share my opinion.

One last thing... I have been into the tennis world for only 21 years so I may not have the knowledge of some of the people here. I have not reached the highest level of tennis in the world, I only became the best in my country, played junior European Championships as well as Olympic Games, and I spent some time on the tour. For that reason, please do not take every word of mine as being 100% true. Have a nice day!

[tandayu]

What other dunlop frame has injection process? 300i, 400i, else?

It will be interesting to expand the discussion to the whole model line up that also benefited from the injection process.

[ilian]

What other dunlop frame has injection process? 300i, 400i, else?

It will be interesting to expand the discussion to the whole model line up that also benefited from the injection process.

Dunlop MAX 300i, MAX 500i, MAX 800i, maybe MAX 150G, and of course the MAX 200G were the only racquets made with the injection moulding process, as far as I know. Clearly, the best of all was the MAX 200G for various reasons. The injection moulding process was impossible to adapt for the making of larger headsize racquets, because they tend to brake easily. The MAX 300i had exactly the same shape, but it was a little stiffer due to some changes in the making which I have no knowledge about.

[vsbabolat]

Yes the Max 150G was Injection Molded. Also A Slazenger was injection molded. It was called if my memory serves me the Phantom IMF.

[ilian]

Yes the Max 150G was Injection Molded. Also A Slazenger was injection molded. It was called if my memory serves me the Phantom IMF.

You are correct, there was at least one model of Slazenger that was injection moulded. IMF stands for "Injection Moulded Frame" so any racquet from Dunlop or Slazenger that contains this abreviation was made using this process.