Dunlop Srixon CX 200 – Review
Known for being a solid all around racquet for the advanced player in today’s game, the Dunlop Srixon CX 200 is definitely worthy of a demo. There are a lot of people who have never used a Dunlop racquet before, and when they give this one a try, they realize that it is an option worth exploring.
How does Dunlop get it right? Is it built for a specific type of player? This is a look at what they have been able to accomplish with this racquet, and how a player can see their style maximized.
Before going into the review, here are our overall ratings after 10+ hours of testing on court.
Groundstrokes
When using this racquet off the ground, maneuverability and feel are two defining traits that many will pick up from the very beginning. It is very easy to get this racquet where it needs to be to hit consistent strokes every single time. Players who have had trouble with maneuverability in the past with other racquets will find this to be pretty easy for the most part.
Feel is also something that can be very important to players who do not seem to lock it down with certain racquets. When hitting groundstrokes off both wings, getting that extra bit of feedback can be a huge difference-maker in feeling in control of points. Players can dictate the point from behind the baseline with feel, which leads to better accuracy.
The racquet, in general, is a little low-powered, but those who have fast strokes will be able to use it as a bit of an advantage. Instead of constantly overhitting, the ball goes exactly where a person wants it to so that they can be in control at all times.
Players who have great technique will benefit most, as they really start to pinpoint each groundstroke exactly where they want it on the court.
Returns
Players can get into a consistent rhythm with returns with this racquet from Dunlop. The low power on groundstrokes transfers over a bit with returns, so players need to take a good swing at balls if they want to put some power on it.
The feel makes up for any drawbacks, as players can block the ball and redirect everything in the direction that works best for them. It is a joy to use this racquet against big servers, as those with great hands quickly neutralize the fast shot.
Thanks to the racquet’s maneuverability, players might find more success taking a step in from their normal return spot. This means a player needs less power to make a solid return, and they can put some additional pressure on the server in general. It is a tactic that works at the recreational level just as much as it does in the pros.
Hitting quality returns does require a player to hit the sweet spot consistently. It is not as big as some of the other racquets out there in today’s market, so it is definitely more for an advanced player as far as returns are concerned.
Like any racquet, players get more and more used to how it works, but there might be a little bit of a learning curve in the beginning. The good news is that once a person settles in, they will see some quality results.
Volleys
The maneuverability of the racquet comes into play at the net. Having something easy to move around and stable can give a person a lot of confidence putting away shots with ease.
This is a racquet that players will love if they do a lot of serve and volleying, or anyone playing doubles regularly. It might not be a tactic used as much in today’s game as compared to the past, but it is still something that can provide good value as far as sneak attacks are concerned.
Compared to previous models, the sweet spot has increased a little bit, which also comes into play with volleys. There might be a few mishaps here and there, but most people will be able to still direct shots where they need it to be.
Some people might like a little more weight behind their volleys, which is an easy fix if some lead tape is installed. This will actually help with other aspects of the game as well, but it is a matter of personal preference more than anything.
Some players will feel like it is a bit too much to handle when everything is added, while others will really enjoy the extra bit of heft behind a volley put away. Play around with a few different setups, and also do not be afraid to change up the stringing to get the perfect volley set up.
Serving
The lack of easy power is definitely a theme with this racquet. People looking to increase their speed on their first or second serve will not be able to do that easily with this racquet at all. With that being said, people who already hit big serves might appreciate the extra control they can get, especially when they start to mess around with different string setups.
As impressive as it might be to hit a big serve from time to time, there is something to be said to put it where it needs to be and take control of the point right away. Players who are a bit more control-oriented with their serve, in general, will love to get their hands on this racquet and test things out. There is enough spin opportunity for extra kick on a second serve as well, which is also a huge benefit.
Just like with volleying, this racquet could be a lot better for some users if they install some lead tape. Getting that extra weight will definitely help with the plow-through, and it might balance out the rest of the racquet in general. Play around with the set up as much as possible if the racquet is doing a good job with all the other strokes.
Out of the four major categories to examine with a racquet, the serve is the weakest link with this Dunlop racquet. It just feels a little too inconsistent for a lot of styles of play, and if a person can’t get their serve down, the rest of their game can start to suffer. At the very least, it does take a little bit of a learning curve to get things right.
Racquet Specs
| Dunlop Srixon CX 200 | Specs |
|---|---|
| Head Size | 98 sq. in |
| Length | 27 in |
| Weight (strung) | 11.4 oz / 323g |
| Balance | 6pts Head Light |
| Flex | 65 |
| String Pattern | 16×19 |
| Swingweight | 319 |
Final Thoughts
Any player looking for a combination of control and extra spin on shots will love what the Dunlop brings to the table. It is a pretty versatile racquet overall, as long as a player is patient enough to give it some time.
The one racquet that it plays the most like is the Babolat Pure Drive. A lot of people have enjoyed that racquet since it was released. There is no perfect racquet for every type of player out there, but this is definitely one worth demoing if it sounds intriguing enough.
In the right hands, it is a very valuable weapon that can do a lot of great things on the court. There are always people a little hesitant to try a racquet that might seem out of their comfort zone. However, with all that said, this is one Dunlop that plays like many other mainstream racquets.
