Tennis Warehouse Playtest: Dunlop FX 2025
- Thread starter TW Staff
- Start date
Good initial spec. Should have very linear, pushing-a-handle, Federer type swing physics to it. Then you can doctor it up from there, if you even feel you need to.
My 2020 FX500T's all had SW's in the low-290's. Very solid frames that didn't really need much hoop lead (I just didn't get along with the mass distribution and heavily muted feel of the 2020's).
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Chris Wilson
Rookie
Initial impression -- less power than the PD, a little less plow, but more control, more forgiving, more maneuverable and more comfortable. Launch angle is generally similar, and I think spin potential is roughly the same (although the extra swingweight on the PD for some reason generally helps me both add spin and flatten out --- I might need to add some lead to the Tour eventually). The take away might be that the Tour seems a bit easier to use than the PD. I don't have a lot of experience with the recent Ezones (admittedly not my favorite sticks), but I can definitely say that the Tour is much more spin friendly (than this or prior gen Ezone) and has better feel than the new Ezone.
@Chris Wilson - Thanks for the early info. How about feel? Any at all? On that note, is there "VibroShield" listed anywhere on the frame? (hopefully no)
Thank you for the feedback. I actually am fine with less power than PD in exchange for more control, forgiveness, comfort and maneuverability!
I think a lot of players are looking for control frames with a little pop (Blade, Radical,Gravity) or power frames with a little control (Ezone/PD/FX 98s) due to a denser pattern than their 100 inch counterparts.
I am trying to find the best fit which is easy to use so that I can swing trusting that balls go in at a higher rate while swinging thru the dang ball. Enjoyed the Ezone98, but bothered my elbow, so using Percept97 with added weight + gut hybrid to give it some extra pop, but feel that perhaps another stick can give me more power/depth with less effort while maintaining comfort, maneuverability and high percentage. Maybe the FX Tour can check all the boxes.
Jwdalton0713
Rookie
Thanks for the photos. Honestly looks pretty nice. Hope you enjoy it
Dunlop FX500 Tour arrived.
Specs:
Static: 307.7g (unstrung, no plastic)
Bal: 31.4 cm
Swingweight: 288
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Sounds nice so far. More of a aiming for bigger targets Stick or does it provide some precision (relative to the Group of other power/spin 98s)?
Jwdalton0713
Rookie
Question: I've never used a Dunlop stick. How does the grip feel? Do these rackets have a more square feel like Wilson and Head, or are they more oblong/rounded like the Yonex rackets?
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
The shape is more rounded like Wilson or Head. There is less flare than Wilson at the butt cap, so more similar to Head in that regard. The the grips are long like Yonex to accommodate a 2H backhand. Really perfect grip IMO.
EastAngels2014
Semi-Pro
I found it to be an aim for bigger targets racquets from my 30-40 min on the ball machine at least compared to my 305s which is much more of a control frame so makes sense.
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
Anyone tried the 100 yet?
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
I got out and hit for an hour this afternoon with the FX Tour. There is going to be an adjustment coming from players frame world (blade, GPro, Pro Staff) but the initial impressions are very positive.
The string bed reels consistent and predictable. It has more control than I was excepting. What really surprised me was how well this racquet slices. And as many reviews have mentioned, there is a lot of top spin accessible with this frame.
I don’t think 17g Pure Rush x 16g Ghostwire at 50lbs was the right call. I could see a string like Hawk Touch playing really well in this frame.
But the first outing was positive. Looking forward to playing a lot more with it the next few weeks.
The string bed reels consistent and predictable. It has more control than I was excepting. What really surprised me was how well this racquet slices. And as many reviews have mentioned, there is a lot of top spin accessible with this frame.
I don’t think 17g Pure Rush x 16g Ghostwire at 50lbs was the right call. I could see a string like Hawk Touch playing really well in this frame.
But the first outing was positive. Looking forward to playing a lot more with it the next few weeks.
How's the stability compares to the sticks you use? This could be a deal breaker.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
I’m going to need to play with it a little more to feel like I can give an accurate answer.
The SW strung on mine is 322, so there will be room to go up with lead if needed. But my initial impression is that stability is fine. There isn’t the plow through of my usual frame(s) but it seems like the shape and stiffness of the mold make it quite stable.
One thing that is really attractive to me is to be able to play with a racquet that is 6-10g lighter than I normally use, easier to manuvere and still hits a big ball. I’m curious how I’ll feel about that in the next two weeks after playing with this frame exclusively.
codonnell
Semi-Pro
How is the stability on the frame? You mentioned some lead needing to be added. Where do you think you’ll place it? Is it more spin friendly then the Ezones?
P
Plow through will be a thing of the past with modern lightweight rackets I'm afraid.
I got my FX500 in the mail, along with two sets of string (Explosive Tour and Iconic All) and a pack of Super Tac overgrips! Thank you, TW.
Specs:
299g unstrung, 301g with the rubber- band grip collar - so pretty much on spec
318g strung without overgrip or dampener
String set-up:
Explosive Tour 17G at 48 lbs in the mains and Yonex Dynawire 16G at 48 in the crosses
I could not get Iconic All up to tension on my lockout machine, so that's why I switched. Next time I will try pre-stretching per a friend's recommendation.
I will report back later with my review!
Specs:
299g unstrung, 301g with the rubber- band grip collar - so pretty much on spec
318g strung without overgrip or dampener
String set-up:
Explosive Tour 17G at 48 lbs in the mains and Yonex Dynawire 16G at 48 in the crosses
I could not get Iconic All up to tension on my lockout machine, so that's why I switched. Next time I will try pre-stretching per a friend's recommendation.
I will report back later with my review!
What do you mean you couldnt get a string "up to tension"? Never heard that in my decades of stringing
I could not reach the desired tension (48 lbs) on the lockout machine (an old Ektelon, a predecessor to the NEOS 1000) as the string kept stretching even as I got to the end of the crank mechanism. When you get to the desired tension, the crank is supposed to lock out.
That suggests your clamps arent holding, or you need to grip the string with the tension head closer to the frame.
You might also need to calibrate that machine if you haven't (or perhaps the machine was never calibrated). Good luck!
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Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
After two hits, I'm ready for a first impressions of the FX500:
- As noted, my SW was under spec as it was just at 311 strung with Explosive Tour (51 lbs mains, 49 crosses) - first hit I tried it w/out modifications, and compared to my regular Ezone 100 2025 @ 317sw, I definitely could feel that it lacked some plow through and got pushed around more than I'm used to against heavy balls. So before the second hit, I added 2 grams of lead at 12 and 4 grams in the butt cap, to get the sw up to 316 and the balance steady at 32.5cm. This modification definitely helped!
- First - the feel thing is real - definitely a more raw graphite feel, similar to the new T-Fights and a significant contrast w/ the Ezone. More fun to play with as a result, but it did feel a little harsher/stiffer (but my arm feels fine)
- Stability is rock solid, as I believe the TW is high on this bad boy; power is good, slightly lower than the Ezone but that's not a bad thing as I'm able to hit out with a little more confidence as a result
- Launch angle is below average, and lower than the Ezone, but again I don't mind this as I can adjust and put more spin on the ball when I want to
- Volleys were a surprise - good maneuverability at the net and a more plusher experience in general than the other power racquets I've tested (notably the Ezone and PD), and touch/slice were good
- Serves are a tbd - first hit was at a drill and I only hit a few serves while last night I hit more serves, and they were a notch down from the power and spin I get from my Ezone, but I need to leave this as a TBD since a) it might take me some time to dial in, and b) I had a similar experience at first with the Ezone 100.
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
Is it as stiff as a Pure Drive for example?
Fighting phoenix
Hall of Fame
The 2025 PD isn't as stiff as the 2021 one. To me, this feels slightly stiffer than the new PD, but not by much. I also need to try it with a slightly softer string - Explosive Tour I believe is fairly stiff.
LordGulbis
Semi-Pro
I see, my wrist may be too weak for this frame...
This has me excited. As a usual classic players frame guy, Im loving this recent move towards more direct feeling "power frames"
diredesire
Moderator
I did for the last gen. I didn't restring my demo, which came super, super loose the first time. Even with a replacement demo, I actually bailed on the 500 series because it just felt too powerful. I prefer lighter frames in general, since I usually buy 3. Idk about others' experiences, but I personally find that QC on most brands is really, really(, really) bad. Matching frames can end up taking multiple grams of lead, and I also use leather grips, so I try to mix and match different weight grips to where they need to go to make up for balance/weight differences. I didn't bother trying the n-1 500/tours because I figured they'd start heavier than I cared to customize from.
I'm in for the 500 this round, and I hit a few balls with a friend's Solinco Blackout v2 which has (remarkably) similar specs, and enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. I'm hoping this version's power level is more tame than the n-1 version, if so, I might make a switch! I really loved the Aerogel 500 Tour, and have played with a lot of (the less common) Dunlop frames in the past. I'm slower and have much worse prep nowadays, so I'm hoping a lot of the 500s feel and DNA carried forward, but also hoping the lower swingweight affords me a little more grace while being sloppy.
Very excited about the feel, I like rawer frames. I strung up my 500 when I received it, and was going to play a match with it on day 1, but it got canceled due to a power outage
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
You’re in luck because my 2022 EZ98 (Aqua Black) period was what I thought would be the most relatable to this playtest. I mained the EZ98 Aqua Black for a while (by my crazy standards) and my take away was - easy racquet to play with but I never put my opponent on their heels. I could rally all day or even hit out but it just seemed like I wasn’t giving anyone any trouble.Looking forward to seeing more reviews, especially those comparing the 500/500 Tour with the Ezone 98
My general thoughts a few hours (~3) into this play test (major grain of salt) on the FX Tour vs EZ98 2022:
-FXT has more of a tradition frame shape and feel to me. I don’t get along with the EZ98 (or Pure Aero) throats that just don’t feel like traditional tennis racquets. I grew up playing in the 90s and these feelings run deep. The EZ98 tapered beam and general mold felt foreign to me. The FXT kind of feels like you took a players frame, and pumped it up to have a modern mold.
-A lot of my opinions after this are probably because the mold feels more familiar to me fr a players frame perspective.
-FXT has more of a driving top spin where I felt EZ98 had more of a loopy top spin
-Slice: I don’t want to overhype this but FXT slice is fantastic. Oddly, this may be my favorite shot with the FXT (and I’m a top spin ball basher). Touch slice, deep slice, defensive slice, they are all really good. I’m working to convince my brain that an offensive slice forehand is ok. It’s just that good. Miles beyond what I recall from the 2022EZ98.
Serves: I’m loving the FXT so far. Super high percentage on everything. EZ98 also super high percentage. Too early to tell.
Volleys: I’m definitely liking the FXT more and it’s super maneuverable. But I’ve also become a better volley’er since I played with the EZ98 so hard to be objective here.
So my early impression is that I like the FXT quite a bit more than the 2022 EZ98 Aqua Black at this point. But you have to take into account that 1. It’s early and 2. I don’t think I had the success with the EZ98 that most do.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
I’ll also say, my doubles match outing tonight made me think the feel of the FXT is better than my first hit. It’s certainly not a feel racquet and maybe my string Job just settled but it was definitely not an issue. Maybe saying it’s realistic feel where the sweet spot feels great and outside the sweet spot is harsh without being painful is the best way to put it. Slice/touch shots actually feel pretty good.
Circa 1762
Rookie
Yes, I demoed the new 500 last week and demoed the outgoing 500 earlier this year (both non-tour).
I’m doing this a bit from memory on the outgoing 500, but I distinctly remember being very pleasantly surprised by how it played but thinking I could never main it because the feel was just uninspiring. Not horrible, just somewhat hollow and vague. (Not sure I would have called it muted, though, but that may have been because I was demoing lots of Yonexes around the same time.)
My reaction to the new 500 was that it felt solid/defined, maybe even refined for that sort of frame. Obviously it’s not a side by side comparison, but I feel comfortable saying that the feel has been cleaned up. Had I not just bought a couple of the new Blackouts, I would be considering a switch.
PS: If anyone wants a comparison of the new 500 and the new Blackout, reply here and I’ll write one up. In short: to me, the 500 plays like a rawer, more direct Pure Drive, whereas the Blackout plays like a more forgiving, much better feeling PA98 with a little more power and a little less spin.
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Thanks for sharing your feedback, it really helps a lot. I totally agree that the EZ is on the loopier side, I'm pretty satisfied with the EZ98’s power and control, but I do struggle with the launch angle. Sometimes it just isn’t as predictable for me. So I’m wondering how would you compare the launch angle between these two rackets? I’ve also heard people say the previous generation of the FXT felt a bit unstable. Do you notice anything similar with this generation, or does it feel more solid overall?
@Circa 1762 - Thanks for the well-balanced answer! Helps to place the current FX 500's in the gamut of muted to connected (sounds like they're somewhere in the middle, maybe a bit more towards connected).
_FrankTheTank_
Semi-Pro
Does the grip size run similar to head tk82s frames?
SlapBackhands
New User
Can't wait to see what people think about the tour, it was already the most underrated power/spin 98's in my opinion and now might be a top 5 option.
Never tried the prior gen Tour, but that's the one I'm more looking forward to. I have both coming, just waiting on Dunlop US to ship it out already
ShahofTennis
Hall of Fame
Ran this stick with Dunlop Explosive Tour (52lbs) last night and tonight. Static weight is much lower than my usual setups of 18x20 95's that range from 315 - 332g. I dont have a measurement device, but it swung with almost the same resistance as my usual frames. I've noticed that the frame is a little more low powered than the Pure Drives and Ezones that I've tried. It actually more closely resembles a Pure Aero in how it hits.
Overall, the frame was fun and lively. My favorite thing about the frame so far is how well its stiffness lends itself to volleys. It's a very point and shoot type stick for volleys. Smaller heads with higher static weight, I think, require more skill on volleys as you kind of have to thread the needle between a punch and a swing to get some pop on the volley, but with this frame volleys explode off the string noticably easier.
The feel of this frame is nice as well. Purer feel than most chunky and powerful 98's I've hit with. Infact, it plays closer in feel to one of my favorite 98's, the Babolat Pure Control Tour. The Pure Aero 98 in comparison felt muted, and for some reason doesnt push out volleys like the FX500 Tour.
I think my next move is to throw a leather grip on this thing.
Overall, the frame was fun and lively. My favorite thing about the frame so far is how well its stiffness lends itself to volleys. It's a very point and shoot type stick for volleys. Smaller heads with higher static weight, I think, require more skill on volleys as you kind of have to thread the needle between a punch and a swing to get some pop on the volley, but with this frame volleys explode off the string noticably easier.
The feel of this frame is nice as well. Purer feel than most chunky and powerful 98's I've hit with. Infact, it plays closer in feel to one of my favorite 98's, the Babolat Pure Control Tour. The Pure Aero 98 in comparison felt muted, and for some reason doesnt push out volleys like the FX500 Tour.
I think my next move is to throw a leather grip on this thing.
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Dunlop300g
Semi-Pro
Yeah! That cosmetic is so nice! I can't wait to see how the reviews come out. I'm particularly interested in the feel you get from the offset grommets. Can't wait to get a demo in hand to test it. Something to look forward to in the coming year. But in the meantime ... eagerly awaiting the upcoming reviews! I'm using the previous model right now and am probably leaning more to the 100 in the newer version but who knows.
GriekspoorGroupie
Rookie
Played with my 500 finally and whew, she ate!!!!
I know it could just be honeymooning but I was deeply, almost tragically in love with the combination of feel at contact and crazy power and spin. It feels super solid!
I don't want to overstate it: I have spent a good amount of my playing life maining Pro Staffs, and it does not feel like those. Still, as someone who loves that Pro Staffy feel, this feels really nice.
I primarily have a OHBH and it felt great on that stroke. I haven't come close to dialing any of my strokes with this frame, though, especially not my serve or slice. I cannot wait to keep playing!
I am scheduling a ball machine session for next week so I can get some consistent balls and have time to take good notes about feel and performance.
My FX500 (100sqin) is strung with Hyper-G 125 @ 50lbs and I have not gotten the specs measured yet!
I know it could just be honeymooning but I was deeply, almost tragically in love with the combination of feel at contact and crazy power and spin. It feels super solid!
I don't want to overstate it: I have spent a good amount of my playing life maining Pro Staffs, and it does not feel like those. Still, as someone who loves that Pro Staffy feel, this feels really nice.
I primarily have a OHBH and it felt great on that stroke. I haven't come close to dialing any of my strokes with this frame, though, especially not my serve or slice. I cannot wait to keep playing!
I am scheduling a ball machine session for next week so I can get some consistent balls and have time to take good notes about feel and performance.
My FX500 (100sqin) is strung with Hyper-G 125 @ 50lbs and I have not gotten the specs measured yet!
At 300g, a racquet with this combination of power, control, and spin does not have the right to feel as good as the FX500 does.
As someone who has always run back to heavier, control-oriented sticks, this one feels like a cheat code. Knee-deep in the honeymoon, and how sweet it is.
As someone who has always run back to heavier, control-oriented sticks, this one feels like a cheat code. Knee-deep in the honeymoon, and how sweet it is.
@GriekspoorGroupie, @mxblink and others - I know you're playtest reviews will probably be due before you can actually exit the honeymoon phase (usually 20-30 hours minimum with enough top-end/strenuous play to test performance extremes), but I'll be keen to see how the racquet plays for you once you're there. That point is also usually marked by the return of old biomechanical patterns/hitches, usually present with frames that we've fully normalized to, to the point of feeling like an arm-extension.
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EggSalad
Hall of Fame
Adding a little weight for some week two testing. I added 2g at 12 to bump up the SW and 4g in the butt cap to get closer to my preferred balance. New specs are:Dunlop FX500 Tour arrived.
Specs:
Static: 307.7g (unstrung, no plastic)
Bal: 31.4 cm
Swingweight: 288
Static: 313.6g
Bal: 31.1cm
SW: 296 (whoops, higher than I meant)
I wasn’t planning on getting static up this high but my test frame came in about 3g over spec so here we are. I think I’m going to string up the Dunlop Explosive Tour that came in the box to see how it plays.
My gut says that if I was going to get more of this frame and use TW matching service, I’d try to get 305g / 31.5bal / 293sw and be able to play this around 308g static at my desired spec.
That's still only 321-2 -ish grams strung. In the grand scheme of things, still pretty light, with pretty low recoil, for the average adult male. So I think you're well inside the norm for most rec peeps, even strong juniors.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
I’m at 329.8g strung now. 1.25 Explosive Tour, no OG or dampener. Will add those and measure all specs.
EggSalad
Hall of Fame
FX Tour w/ 2g lead at 12, 4g in butt cap, strung w/ OG & Sampras’s dampener
ST: 336.6g
Bal: 31.9
SW: 328.5
This is right in the wheelhouse of my typical specs with other frames. It’ll probably be the top end of customising I do for this playtest. Unless this spec is pure magic, I’ll drop it down between stock and this spec for next week.
ST: 336.6g
Bal: 31.9
SW: 328.5
This is right in the wheelhouse of my typical specs with other frames. It’ll probably be the top end of customising I do for this playtest. Unless this spec is pure magic, I’ll drop it down between stock and this spec for next week.
