The History of Dunlop Tennis Rackets

Few brands are as closely linked to the evolution of modern tennis as Dunlop. From wooden rackets in the early 20th century to today’s high-performance graphite frames, Dunlop has played a central role in shaping the game. Dunlop was founded by John Boyd Dunlop in 1889 after he developed the first practical pneumatic tyre. While the company began in rubber manufacturing, it quickly expanded into sporting goods — including tennis balls and rackets.

By the early 1900s, Dunlop had become a recognised name in tennis equipment, producing high-quality wooden rackets that were used in club and tournament play across Britain and beyond. Dunlop’s most iconic racket emerged in 1932: the Maxply Fort. It became one of the best-selling and most successful wooden rackets in history.

The Maxply Fort was famously used by Rod Laver, who achieved two calendar-year Grand Slams (1962 and 1969). During this era, Dunlop dominated professional tennis, with many major champions competing using its rackets.