Dunlop Srixon FX 500 LS: Review A Powerful and Versatile Tennis Racket

This evaluation will share my ideas on the up to date Dunlop FX 500 LS designed for intermediate gamers eyeing aggressive tennis play.

This mannequin, weighing 285 grams when unstrung, strikes quicker than its larger brother, the FX 500, making it an honest selection for gamers working to enhance their tempo and spin.

Earlier than taking part in with the LS, I reviewed the FX 500 Tour and FX 500 fashions in whole, and based on Dunlop, the LS is designed as a fast, point-and-shoot choice for intermediate gamers on the rise, offering a really feel that’s softer and extra arm-friendly.

I’ll scrutinise these claims and options on this evaluation to see how properly the racket performs.

Dunlop FX 500 LS Tour Options & Cosmetics

In its 2023 iteration, the FX 500 LS introduces a barely extra versatile beam. This modification ends in a softer, extra arm-friendly response than the sooner model. It’s noteworthy that Dunlop additionally made changes to the grommet system, aiming to facilitate better power return to the ball from the string mattress (learn: potential for extra energy).

Just like the earlier model, the FX 500 LS incorporates Sonic Core w/Infinergy on the higher hoop, aiming to melt the texture upon affect. It additionally options what’s often known as Energy Increase Body Geometry. This combines a quick, aerodynamic profile with a broader throat space for stability.

The racket’s shaft additionally incorporates Flex Contact Resin that will increase flex and minimises vibration. A Energy Increase Groove is beneath the grommet strip to reinforce the tactile suggestions, selling extra vital string motion and snapback.

Furthermore, the racket is aesthetically pleasing. The complete FX 500 sequence has a shocking look, with a mixture of black and blue that by no means will get outdated.

Specification and Setup

My FX 500 LS was very near the goal specs, and I had it strung with MSV Swift at 21kg with 2 knots. 

 
Dunlop Srixon FX 500 LS
My Dunlop Srixon FX 500 LS

Head Measurement
100 inch / 645 cm
100 inch / 645 cm

Size
27 inch / 686 mm
27 inch / 686 mm

Unstrung Weight
285 g
285.4 g

Strung Weight
300 g
299 g

Stability
325 mm
325 mm

Swingweight
300
 

Unstrung Stiffness
69
 

Beam Width
23mm / 26 mm / 23 mm
23mm / 26 mm / 23 mm

Composition
Sonic Core Infinergy / Graphite 
Sonic Core Infinergy / Graphite 

Racket Colours
Blue & Black
Blue & Black

Grip Sort
Dunlop Artificial
Dunlop Artificial – #2

String Sample
16 Mains / 19 Crosses
16 Mains / 19 Crosses

String Rigidity
20 – 29 kg
21kg (with MSV Swift)

Dunlop FX 500 LS Playtest

First Impressions

As an skilled tennis participant who has performed faculty tennis numerous hours per week, I’ve develop into accustomed to utilizing heavier and extra highly effective rackets, which provide glorious stability and management throughout gameplay.

Therefore, I used to be initially sceptical when testing the Dunlop FX 500 LS, with its 285-gram weight.

Nonetheless, after I picked up the racket, I used to be pleasantly stunned by its strong and manoeuvrable really feel.

I instantly recognised that Dunlop had considerably superior its new dampening know-how, which they’ve applied throughout all the FX sequence.

Regardless of the racket’s light-weight design, it provided a stage of stability and precision that I had not anticipated. Nonetheless, I additionally observed that I may have used just a little further “punch” on all my topspin and flat pictures.

Groundstrokes

After practising groundstrokes with FX 500 LS, I can affirm that my first impression of the racket was spot on.

I discovered it difficult to execute a constant heavy topspin forehand utilizing this racket on account of its light-weight development.

For that reason, I had to make use of quite a lot of bodily energy to return a aggressive ball, which is extenuating in the long term.

Furthermore, as soon as my opponent/observe associate picked up the rally tempo, the racket struggled to reply forcefully when dealing with heavy pictures and started to shake on impacts.

To repair the issue, I attempted to cut back reliance on merely leaning on my opponent’s shot to maintain the ball in play and maybe use his tempo in opposition to him.

Nonetheless, this prevented me from constructing the purpose from the baseline with heavy topspin and adjustments in velocity, like I normally do.

Thus, my solely probability to win some factors in the course of the observe tiebreakers was to maintain the ball in play for so long as doable with out being pushed again or attempting to go for winners.

Regardless of the difficulties I encountered on my forehand, I discovered the racket’s efficiency satisfying on my backhand.

I exploit my one-handed backhand to steal the opponent’s time with flat, fast, on-the-rise pictures, alternated with chipped pictures and low slices.

For that reason, I recognize a manoeuvrable racket that I can shortly transfer by means of the air. Dunlop FX 500 LS may be very manoeuvrable, making it appropriate for my superb backhand.

Nonetheless, I needed to maintain my ft inside/on the baseline to make sure a profitable backhand.

As soon as I obtained pushed behind the baseline, I couldn’t switch sufficient weight on the ball to forestall my opponent from taking the lead of the purpose. for topspin backhands, chip returns, and underspin groundstrokes.

Its design enabled me to simply place the racket head beneath the ball and drive it powerfully by means of the court docket. The five hundred LS is famend for its precision, and I witnessed this firsthand after I executed a “V” formed backhand sample with a crosscourt shot adopted by a down-the-line shot.

Volleys

Rallying from the baseline, I had already observed FX 500 LS’s capacity to hit exact backspin pictures. For that reason, I used to be curious to see what it may provide on volleys.

At first, I skilled some instability when making an attempt volleys, notably in opposition to high-speed pictures.

Nonetheless, getting used to the light-weight racket solely took a couple of minutes and turning into extra comfy on the internet.

As soon as I obtained comfy, I may benefit from the racket’s good contact and precision. Due to its manoeuvrability, I may place deep volleys efficiently and transfer the set to my place.

Alternatively, I struggled to seek out the same old firmness and crispness that I’d really feel with many different rackets appropriate for superior gamers.

For that reason, I consider that FX 500 LS is extra appropriate for novice or intermediate-level internet gamers who may recognize its fast response contact that allows them to maintain the ball in play constantly.

Serves

At first, on account of its light-weight design, I struggled with timing my serve utilizing the FX 500 LS racket. I hit the online actually because I used to be making contact with the ball too early.

Nonetheless, after a couple of minutes, I obtained used to the burden, and I used to be in a position to swing the racket by means of the air effortlessly.

Due to its manoeuvrability, it grew to become straightforward to hit spin serves and kick serves constantly, though I couldn’t make my kick serve bounce as excessive as I’d have preferred.

In the meantime, I used to be not happy with the result of a flat serve. Once I tried to hit quick and highly effective flat serves, I observed that the ball would attain the opposite court docket with minimal weight, permitting the returner to distinction it and redirect the return away from me shortly. For that reason, I established that I’d have had a greater probability to win factors with FX 500 LS if I began by hitting low-slice serves. 

Returns

I used to be impressed with the Dunlop FX 500 LS’s manoeuvrability on returns. Its light-weight body made it straightforward to maneuver into place and react to incoming pictures shortly. I felt assured and in management whereas returning, though I felt the racket vibrate an excessive amount of on quicker serves.

Furthermore, I’d have most popular the racket to supply extra energy when returning weaker second serves since I like beginning factors by attacking the serve and pushing again my opponent from the primary shot.

Who’s This Racket For?

The Dunlop FX 500 LS racket is a superb choice for novice to intermediate gamers in search of a light-weight racket that delivers truthful energy and affordable management.

Its manoeuvrability and spin-friendly options make it well-suited for constant baseline gamers who prefer to generate tempo and spin with their groundstrokes.

Gamers who depend on their serves and wish to enhance their consistency and spin can even recognize this racket.

General, the Dunlop FX 500 LS is a flexible choice that may profit many gamers, from these trying to take their sport to the following stage to seasoned veterans in search of a performing and arm-friendly software to raise their expertise on the court docket.

Professionals

Cons