Expert Review: Dunlop SX 300 LS Racquet (2022) · Unstrung
All photos courtesy of Brandon M.
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the tennis racquet, which I tested for 5 days in November of 2022.
My take
The Dunlop SX 300 LS is a user-friendly option for intermediate level players looking to pump their games up with pace and spin. With above average stability and feel for its weight class, improving players can find confidence that the racquet will help take them to the next level.
About the racquet I tested
- Model: Dunlop SX 300 LS 2022
- Grip Size: 4 ⅜ in / EU 3
- String and Tension: Dunlop Iconic Speed 16g 55lbs
- Head size: 100 sq. in
- Racquet Length: 27in
- Any Customizations: No
About me
- Height: 5’11”
- Weight: 185lbs
- Previous Racquet Played With: Head Graphene 360+ Gravity MP with Head
- Experience: 28 years of tennis
- NTRP/UTA Rating: 5.0
Test conditions
- When I tested these: November 2022
- Days tested: 5
- Court Surfaces: Hard
- Match Play/Practice Session/Both: Both
- Where I’ve used it: Eastside Tennis Courts, Iron Mountain MI
How it performs
What I was looking for
With my personal racquet choice settled for the year after testing dozens of advanced racquets, I wanted to turn my attention to more intermediate racquets in order to have first-hand experience with a category that is very popular for Curated shoppers. I tested this Dunlop SX 300 LS against other similar racquets such as the Dunlop CX 400, Wilson Blade 100L V8, Babolat Pure Aero Team, and Babolat Pure Strike Team.
Why I chose to test this racquet
The Dunlop SX 300 LS is a bit too light and stiff for my preferred racquet style, but it is a racquet that I frequently recommend to shoppers at Curated. It is a racquet that can help intermediate players add power and spin to their games while having enough control to let them swing longer and faster than before.
Brandon Maki_Dunlop SX 300 LS_personal_1
What I love about it
- Control: The Dunlop SX 300 LS has above-average control for a racquet of this category. The string pattern is tighter in the center, which gives it good accuracy when one hits the sweet spot.
- Feel: With a lower flex rating than many other comparable racquets and the Sonic Core Infinergy technology to help with vibration dampening, I find the Dunlop SX 300 LS to have good feel, especially on slice backhands.
- Maneuverability: With a similar aerodynamic design to the Babolat Pure Aero series, the Dunlop SX 300 LS moves quickly to help get the racquet on the ball even when out of position.
- Power: The SX 300 LS offers easy power from the baseline as well as on first serves. The ball doesn’t penetrate the court as well as a heavier racquet might, but it offers usable pop overall.
- Stability: The SX 300 LS swings above its weight in terms of stability. With a moderate 314RDC swingweight, I find that the racquet does well to handle harder-hit balls from all over the court.
- Volleys: The stability and maneuverability teamsup to make this a very solid racquet for hitting volleys with.
- Ground Strokes: Easy power, loads of spin, and enough control to put the ball where I wanted adds up to make for a very enjoyable ground-stroke experience.
Issues I’ve faced
- Serves: I struggled to hit effective second serves with the SX 300 LS. I could hit solid first serves with good placement, but my second serve lacked the bite to make them a weapon.
Brandon Maki_Dunlop SX 300 LS_personal_3
Favorite moment with this gear
I hit one memorable drop shot with the SX 300 LS thanks to its excellent maneuverability and spin. I was playing against my wife and had her on the run, but it only takes one short ball for her to turn the tables thanks to her ability to take the ball early. I tried to hit a clean winner by her wide to the forehand side, but she got to it and hit a ball around the net post. I was out of position to hit a clean backhand back, thinking I had won the point, so I reacted and hit a cross court drop shot that she had no chance to get.
Value for the money vs. other options
The Dunlop SX 300 LS represents good value for the money in the world of intermediate performance-focused racquets. It is competitively priced with similar racquets such as the Yonex VCORE 100L, Wilson Blade 100L V8, and Babolat Pure Drive Team.
Final verdict
The Dunlop SX 300 LS offers intermediate players a racquet that will let them step on the court and confidently add power and spin to their game.
