Racquet Review: Dunlop FX 500

WATCH: Draper started the 2023 season with a run to the Adelaide 2 semifinals.

Price: $199 (Buy here)

Head Size: 100 sq. in.

Length: 27 in.

Weight: 11.3 oz.

Balance: 3 pts. HL

Swingweight: 319

RA Rating: 69

Beam Width: 23 mm / 26 mm / 23 mm

String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

It’s not exactly flexible, but the FX 500 has more flex. The lessened stiffness across the throat and face offers a softer, more comfortable response. This also bumps up dwell time at contact for increased spin and power. A new and wider groove built into the racquet under the grommet strip creates more frame and string deflection at impact for bigger hitting. Add it up and the frame boasts a friendlier feel while still delivering on its forceful heritage.

What Works

If you played with the outgoing FX 500, this one has very similar vibes. It’s a solid, firm tweener frame, loaded with inherent power and a wide string pattern for ample spin. And since it’s nicely balanced and easy to whip through the hitting zone, there’s potential to apply copious amounts of both. The launch angle this time around seems a bit higher than the previous model, so the spin comes in handy to maintain steadiness. Overall, a fun racquet to bash with from the back of the court.

Similarly, with serves you can let loose to try and overwhelm with pace, or use heavy spin to make the ball dance around the box. On the flip side, it’s also no slouch taking advantage of an opponent’s weak second serve. Either way, it can provide quick opportunities to start points on your terms.

Since joining with Srixon and introducing Sonic Core into its frames, Dunlop has succeeded in giving the FX a better feel than most in this category. And by dropping the stiffness a bit, it only accentuates the appeal. Even with a full bed of polyester strings, it’s still quite comfortable when compared to its competition.

Finally, given the escalating prices of racquets, offering a well-made racquet at a hair below $200 is a refreshing sight. As is the FX 500’s clean yet sharp metallic blue cosmetic.

What Needs Work

With this genre of racquet, it’s part of the bargain that there’s usually some accompanying targeting and consistency issues. The putaway power of the racquet is in deep supply, and can get unruly when flattening out a short ball. Really nothing major, though, as long as you’re a player who instinctively hits with enough control spin.

And while the response is more forgiving, there are still times it lives up to its stiffness rating. Most notably if you catch a volley above the sweet spot toward the tip. More advanced players may consider adding a little lead tape in this area to alleviate the issue.

Tester Reactions

“The distribution of mass towards the tip of the frame, paired with the open string pattern, make it really fun to swing out on groundstrokes and serves, offering power and spin.”

“If you’re the type of player who’s considering the Pure Drive or EZONE, you need to add the FX 500 to your “blue racquet” demo list.”

Final Verdict

The new FX 500 is more comfortable, but still brings the heat and spin. As updates go, that’s a win-win.