Dunlop 4D 3Hundred Tennis Racquet Review

Tennis Magazine

How it tested: The 3Hundred is in the category of racquets that are lighter and more powerful than true advanced sticks, but still have the control that competitive players require. This update has dependable pop, is maneuverable on the baseline or at net, and the open string pattern (16-by-19) helps you generate ample spin. The 4D Braiding, aluminum-covered braided cloth that fortifies the racquet head at four different points, does an adequate job of enhancing stability, though it seems to be more effective in the Tour version, which will be used by James Blake. At almost an ounce heavier, the Tour version has a tighter string pattern (18-by-20), a smaller head and thinner beam. Overall it feels sturdier than the standard model, but from a performance standpoint it’s much more challenging to use. Some playtesters found the frame a little stiff and struggled to generate power with the smaller sweet spot.

Playtester comments: “Good on groundies and overheads”; “Floaters were easy to crush”; “The Tour didn’t have enough feel at net.”

Bottom line: While the Tour version is demanding, the standard is a more user-friendly option for aggressive all-courters.How it tested: The 3Hundred is in the category of racquets that are lighter and more powerful than true advanced sticks, but still have the control that competitive players require. This update has dependable pop, is maneuverable on the baseline or at net, and the open string pattern (16-by-19) helps you generate ample spin. The 4D Braiding, aluminum-covered braided cloth that fortifies the racquet head at four different points, does an adequate job of enhancing stability, though it seems to be more effective in the Tour version, which will be used by James Blake. At almost an ounce heavier, the Tour version has a tighter string pattern (18-by-20), a smaller head and thinner beam. Overall it feels sturdier than the standard model, but from a performance standpoint it’s much more challenging to use. Some playtesters found the frame a little stiff and struggled to generate power with the smaller sweet spot.

Playtester comments: “Good on groundies and overheads”; “Floaters were easy to crush”; “The Tour didn’t have enough feel at net.”

Bottom line: While the Tour version is demanding, the standard is a more user-friendly option for aggressive all-courters.


Dunlop 4D 3Hundred Tennis Racquet

A 100% graphite racket combining AEROGEL™ and new 4D BRAIDED™ technology. The Aerogel 4D 3HUNDRED is the ideal racket for advanced/good club players who require exceptional touch and fell from a light weight racket. 4D BRAIDED technology has been added at strategic locations which improves the stability, greatly enhancing touch and feel, making the racket easier to control.

4D Braiding
All eight racquets in the 2009 range feature 4D Braiding Touch points at the 3, 5, 7 and 9 o’clock positions around the frame. At each of these Touch points, specially designed four‐directional
braided cloth that is wrapped in an aluminum sheath designed to minimizes the torsional twist of the racquet, helping improve the frame’s stability, comfort, touch and feel.

Aerogel
Despite being made up of 99% air, a block of Aerogel the size of a human body can support the weight of a midsize car. The world’s lightest solid, Aerogel is used throughout each frame, allowing players
to feel the added power and strength of the racquets from the head to the handle.