Racquet Review: Dunlop CX 400 Tour

• Price: $199
• Head Size: 100 sq. in.
• Length: 27 in.
• Weight: 11.2 oz.
• Balance: 4 pts. HL
• Swingweight: 318
• RA Rating: 66
• Beam Width: 23 mm
• String Pattern: 16x19

What’s New

The cross strings on the CX have been widened in the center of the string bed (dubbed Powergrid Stringtech+) to give the frame enhanced spin potential and power. The hoop also now has more of a box shape at the 2 and 10 o’clock positions to improve the racquet’s stability and increase frame stiffness through the face and throat. The greater composure at contact makes for more accurate ball striking. A new vibration dampening material (Vibroshield) has been inserted at 3 and 9 o’clock positions on the face and in the throat area of the frame for a more comfortable feel at contact.

What Works

With a slightly more squared-off beam, the 400 Tour feels in hand more like a “player’s” 100, and that’s proven on the court. Even though the frame owns a Tour label, it is by no means overly demanding. From the first hit, it’s apparent how easy it is to achieve consistent depth and pace on ground strokes with modest effort. At the same time, the command is sharper than with many other competitors in this category. There’s free power when defending against bigger hitters, while also offering a sense of more controlled pop when stepping inside the baseline to hit inside-out to the open court.

Matched with a spin-friendly poly (Dunlop Explosive Bite 17g) the 16x19 head delivers just what the pairing promises with good bite and generous topspin. Backhand slices stay low, with the versatility and confidence to float them deep, knife them through the court, or chip them short. Flatter shots can still be driven with more conservative grips and strokes and still find lots of control and feel.

On serves, the combination of power and maneuverability offers a favorable start to points. Just like groundstrokes, there’s extra pace without much extra effort. Spin is quite accessible when hitting a hard kick serve down the T, or slicing a serve at ¾ pace out wide. There’s even good consistency when looking to be particularly aggressive.

When the tables are turned, the 400 Tour is also a solid returner, both quick and stable. Challenging, hard first serves can be blocked back with a solid feel, and it comes around fast enough to catch up when timing is compromised. Soft second serves present good opportunities to draw early offense from bigger cuts. Even with a short backswing, there are multiple options off most returns.

At net, the racquet continues to check a lot of boxes. It can produce a variety of shots, from reflex volleys to sharp punches. On low and stretch volleys, just getting the frame in position blocks the ball back deep. It has an attractive level of dampening and stability without getting to the point that the feel is muted. The overall feedback is comfortably crisp. This also makes it handy at change-of-pace tactics such as drop shots, angles and lobs.

What Needs Work

From a playing standpoint, some of the frame’s features could be deemed as bugs by certain players. The power and spin production are slightly tame compared to many competing racquets at its size and weight class. So it may not be boisterous enough for ultra-aggressive power baseliners.

Similarly, most will find it perfectly fine in stock form, but advanced players may require a little more head weight to give shots added drive. This can easily be adjusted with some lead tape.

Ultimately, though, the racquet may just need a publicist. The CX is Dunlop’s “control” franchise; throw in the Tour label—yes, there is a CX 400—and players might be confused into thinking it’s more than they can handle. Which belies the frame’s hospitable nature that should appeal to a wide range of players and styles.

Tester Comments

• “Take my favorite attributes from powerful tweeners like the FX 500 and combine them with some of the best elements of the CX 200, and you have the CX 400 Tour.”
• “It’s the Goldilocks paradox­: Some frames are too raw, others too muted, this one felt just right.”
• “The ball went where I wanted it, with a very smooth feel and great touch on the control shots.”

Bottom Line

The CX 400 Tour hits the sweet spot in a lot of categories. It’s an under-the-radar sleeper worth checking out.