Dunlop Explosive Spin Tennis String Review: Unleash Maximum Spin Potential

The Dunlop Explosive Spin tennis string is billed as the ultimate solution for players seeking to maximise their spin potential.

With a name like “Explosive Spin,” it’s hard not to be intrigued by what this string might offer. As a seasoned tennis player who thrives on aggressive play, the prospect of unleashing devastating spin on my shots was undoubtedly appealing.

However, I couldn’t help but wonder whether this string could deliver the kind of power and control that are also critical to my game.

Like any experienced player, I know it’s essential to strike the right balance between spin, power, and control.

While spin can certainly enhance one’s game, it shouldn’t come at the expense of other critical aspects of performance.

With this in mind, I approached the Dunlop Explosive Spin with curiosity and scepticism, eager to see how it would measure up on the court.

Dunlop Explosive Spin Specification

Specifications

Racket Setup For Testing

A Few Words From the Stringer

As a stringer, I found that the Dunlop Explosive Spin was relatively easy to string and work with. It held tension well, and its thin gauge allowed for a smooth weaving process. However, the string’s texture can be a bit rough on the fingers, so extra care should be taken when handling it. Overall, it’s a decent string to work with from a stringer’s perspective. Stringing with Dunlop Explosive Spin.

Dunlop Explosive Spin Playest and Review

First Impressions

Upon first glance, the Dunlop Explosive Spin tennis string catches the eye and promises high performance.

The intense light black colour gives it a distinctive, bold appearance. With a uniquely matte finish and a sleek look, it offers a modern and professional aesthetic.

The string’s design isn’t just for show, though – its slightly textured surface is intended to enhance spin potential.

The texture of the string is immediately noticeable upon touch. It has a gritty feel reminiscent of sandpaper, which suggests it is designed to grip the ball better and impart more spin.

Theoretically, this should allow for more aggressive topspin shots, making it easier to hit heavy balls and bring them down into the court.

The packaging for the Dunlop Explosive Spin string reinforces its spin capabilities, with marketing that emphasises its potential for “explosive spin.”

This claim, while alluring, also raises questions. Can it deliver a significant increase in spin? How does it compare to other spin-oriented strings on the market?

Groundstrokes

During my playtesting, the Dunlop Explosive Spin tennis string held up to its namesake regarding spin generation.

There was a noticeable uptick in the revolutions of the ball, especially when I struck my topspin backhand. The string seemed to grip the ball effectively, allowing me to carve into my backhand slice shots, producing a biting spin that skidded low, forcing opponents to address the ball at awkward heights.

Yet, this added spin wasn’t without its caveats. My forehand, a crucial weapon in my arsenal, took a hit.

Rather than the deep, penetrating shots I was accustomed to, my forehands began to arc higher and slow down considerably.

This was problematic, mainly when I tried to accelerate and finish points. The shots that usually sing off my racket with pace and depth now land shorter, lacking the same bite and vigour.

The string seemed to mute my forehand’s natural power, hindering me from playing the acceleration shots I often rely on to dictate rallies.

Furthermore, when trying to assert dominance from the baseline, the excessive spin combined with reduced power meant that my shots, instead of penetrating deep into the court, often hung in the air a tad too long.

This airborne delay caused them to drop before reaching the baseline. As a player who thrives on aggressive baseline exchanges, this limitation was frustrating.

I found myself exerting extra effort to inject pace into my shots, an energy expenditure that isn’t sustainable or effective during long, drawn-out matches.

The string’s inherent spin paradoxically inhibited my offensive game plan, presenting challenges I hadn’t anticipated.

Touch Shots and Serves

In the realm of touch shots, the Dunlop Explosive Spin showed promise. My drop shots had a gentle precision, dipping just over the net and then quickly decelerating, which can be a significant advantage during a tight match.

Similarly, the volleys felt crisp and controlled, allowing for some beautiful placements that had my opponents scrambling. Even overhead smashes seemed to benefit slightly from the enhanced spin, making targeting and hitting aggressive angles easier.

But the story changed as soon as the focus shifted to the serve. There was a noticeable drop in raw power, especially when trying to execute flat, penetrating first serves.

Those rocket serves I used to rely on for easy points suddenly became more labour-intensive and less reliable.

My kick serves, however, seemed to find a bit of an edge with the added spin. The ball had a more pronounced curve, creating more challenging returns for my opponent. But even then, the power reduction meant they often landed shorter in the box than I would have liked, putting me on the defensive in what should be an advantageous position.

In essence, while the string’s spin-centric nature had its moments of brilliance in touch shots and kick serves, its inability to consistently deliver the necessary power for a dominant serve was a significant limitation.

Durability

Durability is often a prime concern when it comes to tennis strings, and in this aspect, the Dunlop Explosive Spin tennis string does merit praise.

Despite rigorous play, it resisted fraying and snapping, a testament to its robust construction. After several hours on the court, the string’s structural integrity remained intact, showing minimal wear and effectively maintaining its tension.

However, an intriguing shift occurred after the initial hours of play. While the string did not break, it began to lose its initial feel, transitioning from the responsive touch I had first experienced to something more distant and less tactile.

It began to exude a “plastic tube-like” sensation, reminiscent of hitting with a less sophisticated, generic string. This change in feel can be crucial for players who rely heavily on touch and nuanced shot-making.

What’s more, the sensation of the ball on the racket became increasingly detached, and the string seemed to lose some of its initial liveliness.

This shift might be off-putting for players who value consistent feedback from their strings. It’s worth noting that while physical durability is essential, maintaining a consistent playability experience is equally crucial for seasoned players.

In the case of the Dunlop Explosive Spin, although it withstood the test of time in terms of wear, its evolving play feels left something to be desired.

Dunlop Explosive Spin vs. Babolat RPM Blast

In juxtaposing the Dunlop Explosive Spin with the acclaimed Babolat RPM Blast, several differences and nuances emerged which are worth considering for any serious tennis player.

First and foremost, the Babolat RPM Blast impressed with its all-around capabilities. Whereas the Dunlop Explosive Spin seems laser-focused on maximising spin, often at the expense of power, the RPM Blast strikes a harmonious chord between these two crucial aspects.

It’s like having a finely tuned instrument that produces delicate and robust notes with equal finesse.

Furthermore, from the vantage point of control, the RPM Blast seemed to give a more consistent response, especially during high-tension rallies.

This consistent feedback becomes invaluable when trying to craft points and strategies. With the Explosive Spin, the heightened spin sometimes made it unpredictable, particularly on flatter shots.

For players like me, who often engage in aggressive baseline exchanges and aim to take control of rallies, the RPM Blast supports this style of play more adeptly. Its design, while still providing commendable spin, doesn’t compromise the ability to unleash powerful shots when needed.

Additionally, in terms of feel and feedback, the RPM Blast feels more connected, offering a tactile sense that gives players a clearer understanding of their shots. This can be pivotal, especially during matches when minor adjustments can drastically alter the course of a game. While both strings have their merits and target audiences, the Babolat RPM Blast stands out as a more versatile choice. For players seeking a comprehensive experience that melds spin, power, and control into a cohesive package, the RPM Blast is likely the superior contender.

Who is Dunlop Explosive Spin For?

For those players whose games heavily rely on the spin—perhaps those who utilise heavy topspin or are mastering the art of the slice—Dunlop Explosive Spin might be a good match. Its textured surface and design seem tailored to grip the ball just a bit extra, providing an undeniable edge in spin-oriented play.

However, the string felt limiting for players like myself, who play with a more aggressive and power-centric style.

Each time I loaded up for a powerful groundstroke from the baseline, the string didn’t deliver the punch I anticipated. It’s like having a sports car that handles turns exceptionally well but lacks the acceleration you desire on a straight path.

In conclusion, the Dunlop Explosive Spin has its merits and may cater well to a subset of players, particularly those for whom spin is paramount.

But if you seek a balanced blend of power and spin, or if baseline aggression is your bread and butter, it might be worth expanding your search and testing strings that offer a more comprehensive performance package.

Pros

Cons

Have you tried Dunlop Explosive Speed? Let me know in the comments.