Executive Summary
The Dunlop CX 200 Tour is the flagship control frame in Dunlop's CX line — a densely strung, precision-oriented racquet built for advanced players who demand surgical shot placement and a deeply connected, feel-first response at impact.
Key Characteristic: The 18x20 string pattern is the defining feature of the CX 200 Tour. It produces an exceptionally controlled, low-launch ball that sits in the court with authority. There is very little topspin assist — this frame rewards players with sound mechanics who drive through the ball with flat, penetrating strokes.
Key Positioning: Sits at the pure control end of the market alongside frames like the Wilson Pro Staff 97 and the Tecnifibre T-Fight 305 18x20. It attracts technically accomplished players — particularly those with a flat-hitting, serve-dominant, or classic all-court style — who prioritise precision and stability over spin-assist or power.
Performance Profile
The CX 200 Tour prioritises control and stability above all else. It sacrifices free spin and accessibility in favour of a dense, precise response that rewards high-level ball-striking technique.
Performance Comparison: CX 200 Tour vs CX 200
CX 200 Tour leads in control and stability · CX 200 offers more spin and accessibility
On-Court Playtest
We took the Dunlop CX 200 Tour through a full hitting session strung with a control poly in the low 50s. Here's how Dunlop's precision instrument plays, shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
Off the ground the CX 200 Tour is a pure control frame: a flat, penetrating, supremely predictable ball with a connected, precise feel. The heavier tour spec ploughs through the court when you swing fully, rewarding strong, technically sound players with pinpoint placement. There is little free power, so you supply the pace and the frame gives back accuracy and a heavy, controllable ball.
Serve
On serve the Tour favours placement and spin shape over cheap pace: flat serves are accurate and slice and kick carve well, with speed coming from your own swing.
Volleys & Net
At net the connected, stable feel makes touch and punch volleys precise and confident, with the mass providing solidity. An all-court control strength.
Return & Defence
On the return the control bias and stability let you block big serves deep and redirect without overhitting; on defence the heavy frame stays predictable and helps you reset, asking for strength when stretched.
Comfort & Feel
It has a flexible, connected, fairly comfortable feel for a tour control frame. A soft poly or hybrid at a sensible tension keeps it arm-considerate and informative.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of.
Pros
- Pure control and a flat, penetrating, predictable ball
- Excellent stability and plough-through from the tour spec
- Connected, precise feel on groundstrokes and at net
- Pinpoint placement for strong, advanced players
- Comfortable for a tour control frame
Cons
- Little free power — you supply all the pace
- Heavier tour spec demands a strong, full swing
- Not forgiving enough for beginners
- Low-powered for players who want easy depth
Model Context
The CX 200 line ranges from the tour-spec 18x20 Tour variant down to more accessible options for developing players. Understanding the spectrum helps identify the right fit.
CX 200 Tour (18x20)
The densest, most control-oriented CX frame. Smaller head, tightest pattern, maximum precision. Requires a complete, committed swing to generate adequate pace. Not for casual rallying — this is a specialist tool for elite ball-strikers.
CX 200
The more accessible tour-spec option. A larger head and more open pattern restore spin potential and forgiveness while preserving the CX DNA of stability and clean feel. The entry point into the CX tour range for most serious players.
CX 200 LS
A lighter version of the CX 200 for players who need the reduced swing weight to maintain consistent technique. Preserves the core CX characteristics — precision and stability — with a more manageable physical demand.
Technical Must-Knows
Who Plays With This?
The CX 200 Tour is the choice of players who trust their technique implicitly and want a frame that amplifies precision over providing assistance. Tour frames are heavily customised — use these profiles to understand the playing style the CX 200 Tour serves.
Draper's powerful, left-handed baseline game generates its own pace and spin through technique and physicality. The CX 200 Tour's precision and stability complement his heavy, driving groundstrokes — particularly the flat, penetrating backhand that has become one of the best in the game.
Kecmanovic's consistent, high-percentage baseline game relies on directional control and depth over outright power. The 18x20 pattern's dense, low-launch response suits his style perfectly — he can drive deep, flat balls with precision while the frame's stability provides a reliable platform for his defensive retrievals.
Brooksby's elite movement and exceptional touch game benefit from the CX 200's clean, connected feel. He uses the frame's precise response to redirect pace and manufacture angles from difficult positions — the Sonic Core damping complements his finesse-heavy, feel-dependent playing style.
String Setup Guide
The 18x20 pattern and flexible beam make the CX 200 Tour's string setup unusually critical. Getting tension right separates a frame that feels alive from one that feels dead and stiff. Reference range (CX 200 Tour): 45–57 lbs (20.5–26 kg).
Quick Start (Most Players)
- Start point (co-poly, 1.25mm, full bed): 46–50 lbs (21–22.7 kg) — the dense 18x20 pattern already provides maximum control; lower tension ensures adequate pocketing and prevents the frame from feeling wooden.
- If the ball is flying long: The 18x20 pattern means this is unusual. Check your mechanics first — the CX 200 Tour rarely launches the ball unintentionally. If confirmed, add 2 lbs, but avoid going above 54 lbs with a co-poly in this frame.
- If you want more spin: A shaped poly at lower tension (44–47 lbs) is your best option. The 18x20 limits snapback significantly — shaped strings compensate by maximising the bite that does occur at contact.
- If your arm is struggling: Drop tension to 43–46 lbs and switch to a multifilament full bed or hybrid with natural gut mains. The Sonic Core damping helps, but the 18x20 pattern at high tension with a firm poly can be demanding over a long session.
- CX 200 (16x19) note: The more open pattern plays differently — string 2–3 lbs higher than your equivalent CX 200 Tour tension to maintain similar control characteristics.
Pro Reference
Setup idea: Dunlop Black Widow in mains and crosses, reportedly at moderate tension for the 18x20 pattern.
Draper's preference for Dunlop's own Black Widow string reflects a comfort-first approach in a dense-pattern frame. The lower tension keeps the string bed pocketing adequately despite the tight 18x20 geometry. Tour setups vary by surface and conditions — treat this as a directional guide rather than an exact prescription.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Co-poly (full bed), 1.25mm | 46–50 lbs (21–22.7 kg) | Crisp, precise contact with clean directional control and manageable pocketing |
| More spin | Shaped poly (pentagonal or hexagonal), 1.25mm | 44–48 lbs (20–21.8 kg) | Maximum bite for the 18x20 pattern — compensates for the reduced natural snapback |
| More control | Firmer poly or thicker gauge (1.27–1.30mm) | 49–53 lbs (22.3–24 kg) | Very flat, surgical trajectory — for elite full-swing baseliners only. Can feel wooden if overdone. |
| Premium comfort | Natural gut mains + multifilament crosses | Gut mains 52–56 lbs (23.5–25.5 kg) | Outstanding feel and comfort — gut's elasticity transforms the 18x20's response into something plush and connected |
| Max durability | Thicker poly (1.30mm) full bed | 48–52 lbs (21.8–23.5 kg) | Long-lasting setup; consistent feel for heavy hitters who break strings frequently |
Maintenance Rule
- The 18x20 pattern is especially sensitive to string death. Dead strings in a dense pattern eliminate the minimal pocketing the CX 200 Tour relies on for feel. Once you notice a hollow, flat response or loss of control precision, restring immediately — a dead poly in this frame has no natural forgiveness left to compensate.
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the CX 200 Tour based on community feedback and playtests. The 18x20 pattern and Sonic Core damping reward strings that prioritise feel and spin bite over stiffness.
Best for: Advanced players wanting the factory-endorsed pairing with a clean, precise feel.
The string of choice for Jack Draper and the natural companion to the CX 200 Tour. Black Widow's round co-poly construction delivers a crisp, direct feel that pairs well with the Sonic Core's damping. Clean string movement for modest spin, excellent tension maintenance, and a dependable, controlled launch profile suit the 18x20's precision identity.
Best for: Players who want to add spin to the CX 200 Tour's dense pattern without sacrificing the Dunlop feel identity.
Used by Kecmanovic in the CX 200 Tour 18x20. The shaped construction creates aggressive bite at contact — critical in a frame where the tight pattern limits natural snapback. String at lower tension to ensure adequate pocketing in the dense bed. A high-performing Dunlop-ecosystem pairing.
Best for: Feel-first players and those managing arm sensitivity who want to unlock the CX 200 Tour's comfort potential.
Natural gut in the CX 200 Tour is a revelation. The Sonic Core's vibration absorption combined with natural gut's elasticity creates one of the most arm-friendly setups available in a dense-pattern frame. The gut's high elasticity compensates for the 18x20's reduced pocketing, producing a connected, plush feel that no co-poly can replicate. Higher cost and shorter durability are the trade-off.
Pro tip: The 18x20 pattern combined with a stiff poly at high tension is the most common mistake made with the CX 200 Tour. Lower tension and softer strings reveal this frame's genuine character — a refined, precise, and surprisingly comfortable elite player's tool.
Full Specifications
| Specification | CX 200 Tour (18x20) | CX 200 (16x19) | CX 200 LS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 95 sq in (613 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) | 98 sq in (632 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 305g / 10.8oz | 305g / 10.8oz | 290g / 10.2oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | ~310mm / 6–7 pts HL | ~315mm / 5–6 pts HL | ~320mm / 4–5 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 18x20 (dense, maximum control) | 16x19 (open, more spin) | 16x19 (open, more spin) |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~63–65 (Sonic Core dampened) | ~63–65 | ~62–64 |
| Swingweight | ~328–332 | ~320–325 | ~305–310 |
| Beam Width | 20–21mm (thin, flexible) | 20–21mm | 20–21mm |
| Technology | Sonic Core (vibration damping) | Sonic Core | Sonic Core |
| Target Player | Advanced / Dense Pattern Specialist | Advanced (4.0–5.0) | Intermediate–Advanced |
Our Verdict
The CX 200 Tour is Dunlop's tour-tested precision instrument — a flat, penetrating, supremely predictable ball and connected feel for strong, advanced control players.
It's the frame we'd recommend to advanced players (4.5+) who want pure control, stability and feel and can drive a tour-spec frame all match. You get no free power and it punishes a lazy swing, but for an uncompromising control game it is superb. If the weight is too much, choose the standard CX 200; if you want power and forgiveness, look at the CX 400 Tour or FX 500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dunlop CX 200 Tour good for beginners?
No. The CX 200 Tour is a heavier, low-powered control frame for advanced players (4.5+) with sound technique who generate their own pace. Beginners and improvers should choose a lighter, more powerful and forgiving frame.
Dunlop CX 200 Tour vs CX 200 — which should I buy?
Choose the CX 200 Tour for more mass, stability and plough-through if you are a strong, advanced player. Choose the standard CX 200 for a lighter, more maneuverable version of the same control character. The Tour is the more demanding, more stable option.
Is the Dunlop CX 200 Tour arm-friendly?
Yes, for a tour control frame. It has a flexible, connected feel and the mass helps absorb shock. Pair it with a soft poly or a natural-gut hybrid at a sensible tension for the best comfort.
What string and tension is best for the Dunlop CX 200 Tour?
A control co-polyester in the low 50s lbs is the best starting point. For more comfort use a softer poly, a multifilament cross or a gut hybrid; go a touch tighter for even more control. Shaped poly can add bite to the flat ball flight.
Is the Dunlop CX 200 Tour a control or power racquet?
It is firmly a control racquet — Dunlop's tour precision frame, built for placement, a flat penetrating ball and feel rather than free power.
Who is the Dunlop CX 200 Tour best for?
It is best for advanced, technically sound players who want pure control, stability and feel, and who comfortably swing a tour-spec frame for a full match.