Racquet Playtest Comparison:
| About the play tester |
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Tester: Jdeloach of the Talk Tennis message board
Playing Level: 4.5
Regular playing equipment: Wilson ProStaff Tour 90, X-One Biphase 16g @ 55 lbs
Game Style: I play mostly serve and volley. I have a big flat first-serve. Play both singles and doubles.
Initial Impressions
Dunlop AeroGel 200: A beautifully designed racquet that is extremely comfortable. Dunlop has taken their beautiful Mfil 200 and made it nicer. The quality of Dunlop frames has always impressed me. Has just enough weight at 12oz strung, although felt light compared to what I am accustomed too.
Volkl DNX10 MP: Volkl makes some ugly racquets (in my opinion), and the DNX10 is no exception. The yellow reminds me of mustard, and I am not a fan of mustard! The weight feels nice at 12oz, but the unusual grip shape is one of the most uncomfortable on the market. It feels like holding a square piece of wood. Maybe it will play better than it looks.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): Tecnifibre makes some of the most beautiful racquets today. The T-Fight line is a beautiful red and black, with just enough white to make it stand-out in a crowd. The only negative in appearance is the red grip; I believe it would have looked nicer if it was black. The grip is amazingly comfortable, and would make a great base for an overgrip. This is the heaviest of the 3 racquets in this test at 12.4oz. It is also feels like the most maneuverable, being 10pts HL.
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Power
Dunlop AeroGel 200: I had trouble finding enough power from the AeroGel. I felt like I was not getting all I put in to my swings. I found myself swinging harder and harder to try to place the ball deep on my opponent. Serves were no different. I lost noticeable pace compared to my PS Tour 90. Hitting flat bombs is something that I rely on, and with the AG200, it just didn't happen. In order for me to use this racquet, I had to dramatically change my style.
Volkl DNX10 MP: The DNX was, by far, the most powerful of the three. I was able to keep my swing, and consistently place the ball deep. The ball really seemed to jump off of the stringbed with just the right amount of pace. The serves were nice too. I felt the pace was comparable to my PS Tour 90.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): The TF335 was closer to the DNX in power, but required a little more effort. The one thing I enjoyed, was receiving all that was put in. Serves were very responsive also. The pace was a little less than the DNX, but definitely strong enough to hit several aces.
Control
Dunlop AeroGel 200: This is definitely where this racquet shines the most. The pinpoint accuracy with the AG200 is amazing. I was able to place the ball anywhere I wanted on groundies, as well as serves. I have never hit so many winners down the line, as I did with this racquet. This attribute completely makes up for the lack of power, in my opinion.
Volkl DNX10 MP: The DNX was last in this category. I found myself having to slow my swing down drastically in order to place the ball down the line. I believe this is due to the amazing power, but I would choose control over power any day. On serves, I really struggled to hit bombs down the "T", which is one of my most reliable shots. The pace is there, but didn't really know where it was going.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): The TF335 felt like a combination of the other 2 racquets tested. I found that my backhands had amazing control, but felt a little lack of consistency on my forehands. I believe with just a small adjustment using lead-tape, the racquet could hang with the AG200 when it comes to control. That being said, it still is a very nice racquet overall.
Maneuverability
Dunlop AeroGel 200: This racquet felt really sluggish at the net. I really couldn't figure it out. Volleying was great, once I was able to get the head in position. I think by adding some weight in the Grip, it would improve the AG200 in this area.
Volkl DNX10 MP: Surprisingly, the DNX was pretty maneuverable. I felt that I could react well at the net, and the power coming from the stringbed made for some great volley winners. I would place this racquet in-between the other 2, but closer to the TF335.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): WOW!!! This racquet really feels maneuverable. Being 10pts HL, allowed me to put the head in any position quickly. The head feels like a hot knife cutting through butter. I truly felt no drag. I can see how this racquet could really become a popular choice for serve & volley.
Stability
Dunlop AeroGel 200: The AG200 is a very stable racquet. It really shines on returns against heavy hitters. Though it lacks in maneuverability, it is incredibly stable at the net. I believe with a little customizing, the AG200 can be a deadly weapon for volleying. By far the most stable, in my opinion, of the 3 tested.
Volkl DNX10 MP: I really felt like I was getting pushed all over the court with the DNX. Against heavy hitters, the racquet felt very brittle and unstable. The DNX is not stable, based on my experience. In my opinion, it ranks well below the other 2 racquets.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): This racquet is a very close second when it comes to stability. The TF335 was not quite as "crisp" on returns, but overall it held its own against the heavy hitters I played with. The stability level combined with its amazing maneuverability, makes the TF335 a serve & volley machine.
Comfort
Dunlop AeroGel 200: This is by far one of the most comfortable racquets on the market, today. The wonderful shaped grip along with the smooth, buttery feel, really makes this racquet a delight to play with.
Volkl DNX10 MP: I did not find this racquet comfortable at all. The unusual, square grip was awful. I found myself wanting to put this racquet down after only a short time of hitting. If it is comfort you are after, I don't recommend the DNX 10.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): The TF335 was comfortable, but no where near the AG200. It has a decent shape to its grip, and has a feel very similar to Yonex racquets. It creates more of a "crisp" feel at impact, instead of Dunlop's buttery feel. I personally think the buttery feel is more comfortable, but personally like the crispness of the TF335.
Spin
Dunlop AeroGel 200: With a 18X20 stringbed, I wasn't expecting much spin on groundies. The AG200 was very capable of creating enough to be productive. I struggled generating topspin on my forehand, but my backhand was better than normal. If you want to play like Nadal, don't get the AG200.
Volkl DNX10 MP: The DNX produced the most spin of the 3, but still wasn't enough to be spinner's dream. I felt that I was getting an adequate amount on my forehands, and my backhand was about the same as the AG200.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): I would say the same for the TF335 as I did about the AG200. I really could not tell a difference in spin potential.
Overall
Dunlop AeroGel 200: The AG200 is a beautiful, comfortable racquet that will serve many people well. If you are looking for a nice stick that is capable from all areas of the court (with the help of customization) look no further than Dunlop's new weapon.
Volkl DNX10 MP: The DNX10, I believe, would suit baseline bashers well. It is not the most comfortable or easy to look at, but I am sure it has its audience. Serve & Volley players might need to look at it, if you prefer the shape of Volkl's grips.
Tecnifibre TF335 (18X20): Tecnifibre is here to stay, and with racquets like the TF335, they are drawing a large following. This racquet is incredible at the net, and can hold its own from the baseline. Anyone looking for a new player's racquet should take a look at the TF335.
| Power |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 80 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 79 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 70 |
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| Control |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 88 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 87 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 70 |
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| Maneuverability |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 90 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 88 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 78 |
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| Stability |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 90 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 88 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 74 |
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| Comfort |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 90 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 88 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 68 |
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| Touch/Feel |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 83 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 80 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 78 |
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| Groundstrokes |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 86 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 84 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 76 |
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| Volleys |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 90 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 88 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 80 |
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| Serves and Overheads |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 88 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 86 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 80 |
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| Serve Returns |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 88 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 87 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 80 |
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| Slice |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 82 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 80 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 80 |
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| Topspin |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 80 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 74 |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 74 |
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| Overall |
| Tecnifibre TF335 | 85 |
| Dunlop AeroGel 200 | 81 |
| Volkl DNX10 MP | 80 |
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| Playtest date: August, 2007. |
| All content copyright 2007 Tennis Warehouse. |