Page 43 - Tennis Magazine April 2019
P. 43
Head
The Extreme and
Instinct lines get
the Graphene
360 treatment
The new Extremes have been
completely redesigned with
maximum spin in mind. The
latest generation of the frame
family comes with Graphene 360:
Graphene rings at 3, 9 and 12
DUNLOP o’clock of the head increase sta- HEAD
bility to help direct more energy
CX 200 Tour (16x19) into the shot. 360-degree Spin Graphene 360
Grommets enable more string Extreme MP
• PRICE: $219
movement, which results in a
• HEAD SIZE: 95 SQ. IN.
powerful trampoline effect upon • PRICE: $160
• LENGTH: 27 IN.
impact and more spin. After sit- • HEAD SIZE: 100 SQ. IN.
• WEIGHT: 11.6 OZ.
ting out the previous Graphene • LENGTH: 27 IN.
• BALANCE: 9 PTS. HL
Touch iteration, the Extreme Pro • WEIGHT: 11.3 OZ.
• SWINGWEIGHT: 306
also makes its return. Like the
• RA RATING: 63 • BALANCE: 2 PTS. HL
other members of the line, it has
• BEAM WIDTH: 20.5MM a new asymmetrical color-block- • SWINGWEIGHT: 330
• STRING PATTERN: 16×19 ing of neon yellow and deep blue, • RA RATING: 62
• NTRP: 4.5+ and an attractive price point • BEAM WIDTH: 23MM / 26MM / 21MM
• STRING PATTERN: 16×19
when compared to the competi-
How it tested: There aren’t many left, • NTRP: 3.0-4.5
tion. The new Instincts have also
but fans of 95 square-inch frames will be
been updated with Graphene 360
pleased with this brand-new addition to How it tested: If you like to give the
to promote a more solid feel at
the CX line. Slightly lighter, with a more contact, and improved power. ball a ride full of pace and heavy spin, the
open string pattern than the 200 Tour The line has also received a new reconfigured Extreme MP will oblige. The
(18x20) endorsed by Kevin Anderson, this asymmetrical color-blocking flex on the frame has been lowered,
near twin’s promise of a bit more spin, cosmetic of bright crystal and putting more of the power demands on
pop and forgiveness should appeal to a dark midnight blue. the heftier swingweight. When contact
wider base. The small head size and low was in the sweet spot or toward the top
swingweight led to sizzling swing speeds of the hoop, all that mass delivered
on serves and ground strokes, and EXPLORING THE CATALOG powerful serves and ground strokes, with
superb handling at net, where the frame’s a feel generally viewed as an improve-
precise feel excelled. It’s no slugger—it The totally redesigned Revolt ment over the previous MP. And the wider
has masterful control, but the user will 3.0 shoe is currently available… string spacing and spin grommets
have to provide the bulk of the power. The Sprint SF shoe is carrying offered the potential to put serious work
Some playtesters felt the head was over its limited launch from the on the ball. Some testers found that the
begging for extra mass to produce more end of last year…Lynx string will frame felt hollow when impact was in the
plow through and less recoil at contact. be available in blue and yellow lower half of the string bed, especially on
Otherwise, it’s right up the alley of highly colorways to match the Extreme volleys. Control was wayward at times,
skilled all-courters with a fondness for and Instinct frames…Velocity and going for lines could be hazardous.
old-school midsize models. string will also have new blue But as its name suggests, this racquet is
and yellow options, as well as a meant for players who like a little risk in
Editor’s Choice: Best Player’s Frame pink model. their games.
M A R /A P R 2 0 1 9 T E N N I S . C O M 4 1
