Dunlop-Maxply-Fort

Dunlop

Dunlop Maxply Fort (1962)

Condition
9
10: New
9: Mint
8: Excellent
7: Good
6: Fair
5: Average
4: Below Average
3: Poor
| Rarity
6
10: Impossibly rare
9: Extremely rare
8: Hard to find
7: Fairly rare
6: Uncommon
5: Common
<4: Big Seller
– – – – – – – – – – –
About This Racket

Dunlop launched the Dunlop Maxply in 1932, and it was special from the start. It was made from a mix of nine different woods, including ash and beech and a true heavy weight, nearly 400 grams strung, a balance point of 34 centimeters, and an 18 by 19 string pattern. Although they had at least 10 variants: Maxply, Lady Maxply, Graphite Maxply, Junior Maxply, Maxply Tournement and later the Maxply McEnroe but perhaps the gold standard was the Maxply Fort. In 1934 Dunlop made the standard Maxply+ the Tournament model. The Dunlop Fort model which was first advertised in 1935 and made up until 1983. A 1935 advert had the following prices (shillings):

Dunlop Fort Maxply 75/- Maxply Tournament Maxply Standard 57/6 Blue Flash 42/- Red Flash JS/- Green Flash 30/- Marksman 25/- Target 21

This early 1960s version is an excellent example with 2nd generation graphics. It is a rare “light model” around 13oz. They made the more common “light/medium” “medium/top” and “top” which was 14oz. They also made grip sizes 2,3,4,5 where the light came in a 2, light/medium in a 3 and medium in a 4 and Top in a 5. It is part of history being used by many pros including Virginia Wade at Wimbledon vs Chris Evert in 1977 semifinal

Historic Gallery

Specifications (👋 not yet accurate….check back soon)

Specifications
MeasurementsValuePerformanceScore
Weight390gPower19/100
Head Size & Length65sq in | 27inchControl41/100
Balance5pt head heavySpin40/100
GripPerforated leatherHandling78/100
Strings18 x 20 | syntheticComfort89/100
FlexibilityRA 43Consistency59/100
About Dunlop

Dunlop’s journey in tennis began in 1924 when the company started manufacturing tennis balls . This marked the beginning of a century-long legacy in the sport. In 1925, Dunlop strategically acquired F.A. Davies, a tennis racquet manufacturer, establishing itself as a recognized brand in the tennis world . In 1931 with the introduction of the Maxply Fort it became one of the most popular in tennis history, used by legendary players like Rod Laver . Dunlop continued to innovate, introducing one of the first metal tennis rackets in the 1950s . In 1980, in collaboration with Slazenger (which Dunlop acquired in 1959), they created the Max 200G, one of the first graphite tennis racquets . This racquet was used by tennis legends like Steffi Graf and John McEnroe

Gallery

Dunlop by Time
YearEvent
1888Dunlop patented his chamber of rubber to contain air under pressure and fastened it to a rim, effectively inventing the modern tire
1923Dunlop enters the tennis ball market.
1932Dunlop launches the Maxply tennis racket.
1936For the first time, there are more Dunlop rackets at Wimbledon than any other brand.
1956Lew Hoad wins Wimbledon and the Australian and French Opens with the Dunlop Maxply racket.
1960Dunlop introduces the new ‘Flying D’ logo.
1962Rod Laver wins all four Grand Slams in a single year using Dunlop Maxply rackets.
1969Rod Laver ‘s final Grand Slam win comes using Dunlop Maxply
1980Dunlop launches the game-changing 150G racket – the first injection moulded carbon fibre racket.
1981John McEnroe signed for Dunlop and beat Bjorn Borg in the Wimbledon final with the Maxply Fort racket.
1982Dunlop launches the legendary 200G, injection-moulded, carbon fibre racket.
1988Steffi Graf wins all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic Gold in the same calendar year – all using the Dunlop 200G racket.
1988Dunlop sells its one millionth injection-moulded racket.
2018Kevin Anderson reaches the men’s final at Wimbledon