Upgrade option from Dunlop HM 200g XL?

[tennisinvegas]

Hello TW,
After a long hiatus over a decade, I've finally picked up my tennis racquet again.

I used to play HS tennis, varsity team but by no means I was enough to play college level.
I was probably 3.5 or reaching 4.0 at that time.

I played with Dunlop HM 200g xl and still have them.
When I played with these recently, I noticed a total lack of sweet spot strokes on my forehand.
Backhand was more stable but forehand was hitting off and frame a lot of times.

Since my racquets are almost 20 years old, I want to upgrade.
I did a little research and a few that comes to mind are Wilson Ultra, Burn, Babolat pure aero, drive, and seeing a lot of Yonex hypes now.
It's funny to see Yonex being at the top now and Prince almost never mentioned now.

So I'd like to upgrade to 100 head size, something more powerful, and easier to generate spins.

My play style is baseliner. I am terrible at the net.
I am 5'11" and 180lbs male

I am open to racquets that are older since I don't want to spend too much

 

[blackfrido]

my five cents on that subject based on my own experience playing Dunlop racquets.

Once you played a Dunlop and you like it you won't find that feel in any other brand.
About 10 years ago I was playing with Aerogel 4D 300 tour, for some reason I sold them. Years later and dozens of different racquets I went back to Dunlop.
This time a Dunlop Srixon CX 2.0. Played with them USTA leagues (4.0/4.5) and again after couple of years with them were sold again.
To wrap up the story, I tried Head racquets Prestiges, Radicals, I bought Tecnifibers, Yonexes, etc. until couple of weeks ago I found a discontinued Dunlop Srixon CX 2.0. I couldn't be more happy of this reunion.
Check for Dunlops, they offer a wide range of options; FX, SX, CX. I believe coming from your HM 200 I will look on the CX line, maybe a 400 tour w/100 sqin head

 

[tennisinvegas]

my five cents on that subject based on my own experience playing Dunlop racquets.

Once you played a Dunlop and you like it you won't find that feel in any other brand.
About 10 years ago I was playing with Aerogel 4D 300 tour, for some reason I sold them. Years later and dozens of different racquets I went back to Dunlop.
This time a Dunlop Srixon CX 2.0. Played with them USTA leagues (4.0/4.5) and again after couple of years with them were sold again.
To wrap up the story, I tried Head racquets Prestiges, Radicals, I bought Tecnifibers, Yonexes, etc. until couple of weeks ago I found a discontinued Dunlop Srixon CX 2.0. I couldn't be more happy of this reunion.
Check for Dunlops, they offer a wide range of options; FX, SX, CX. I believe coming from your HM 200 I will look on the CX line, maybe a 400 tour w/100 sqin head

Thank you, I'll keep an eye out for 400s. I had not realized that Dunlops still make racquets haha it seems that the market is predominantly saturated by Wilson, Babolat and maybe Yonex.

 

[blackfrido]

They still in production, High quality frames!!
If you were around I’ll let you demo the ones I have.

 

[mtommer]

Not to mention that Dunlop has lowered their price so they can be cheaper than other brands. I will say that the 200 line will be more similar to your older racquet than not. I used the MFil 200 and MW 200G for the longest time and found very little difference between them and the CX200 Tour. I would demo the 500 Tour as a starting point and go to the 300 and then 200 series if the 500 seems to "tramopline" like.

 

[tennisinvegas]

Not to mention that Dunlop has lowered their price so they can be cheaper than other brands. I will say that the 200 line will be more similar to your older racquet than not. I used the MFil 200 and MW 200G for the longest time and found very little difference between them and the CX200 Tour. I would demo the 500 Tour as a starting point and go to the 300 and then 200 series if the 500 seems to "tramopline" like.

I bought 200s back in the day because
1. I got them used from TW classified for a great price and great condition.
2. I was full of myself back then and thought I need control racquet since I can generate my own power.

Now that I've aged and let go of my tennis ego a bit, I am noticing how I am not quite capable of this racquet haha
I think this racquet suits people intermediate/advanced level who have no problem hitting small sweet spots on a 95 sqin.
I am looking for beginner/intermediate racquet in 100 sq in with generous sweet spots but not too trampoline like.

Are you referring to FX 500 tour? Don't think I saw them at my local tennis shop but I will certainly be on the lookout. I want to keep my options open since I will most likely go used route to save some bucks