Dunlop and the Australian Open go way back. Dunlop market the Australian Open as durable and high-performance balls for hard courts, but also work for clay and indoor play as well. I gave these a try as they come in at a similar price point to the Head Pro and Slazenger Wimbledon which I have used quite a bit. This review will hopefully give you a clear idea of how they perform against their nearest competitors!
Find the Dunlop AO balls for purchase at Tennis Warehouse (USA, Canada) Tennis Warehouse Europe (code TNERD10 for a 10% discount).
Quick verdict
Dunlop Australian Open tennis balls are a good fit for most club players. They have a great bounce early on and are well-performing for most surfaces you play on. They do start out a little deadened or on the heavy side but liven up fairly quickly. I found however they don’t hold out quite as well as something like the Wilson US Open or Dunlop ATP ball and fluff up fairly quickly.
However, If you are looking for a well-priced tennis ball for casual and club play, these are still a good option.
Performance Overview
Here’s what stood out on court:
- Bounce starts deadened but livens up and holds up reasonably well for a couple of sessions
- Feel is crisp early on, giving confidence on both serve and return
- Control is reliable for most club-level players – not too fast or skiddy
- Durability is the one weaker area – felt tends to fluff and flatten sooner than premium options
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Pros and cons
Pros:
- Balanced feel on both hard and clay courts
- Ideal for most club sessions, drills etc
- Available almost everywhere thanks to AO branding
- Great “grab and play” option that doesn’t need break-in
- Value for money – can often find multipack offers
For mid-level players who aren’t crushing every ball with massive topspin, they provide a consistent and solid option.
Cons:
- Durability is average — the felt can fluff quickly on hard courts
- Not ideal for heavy hitters who rely on a livelier, more consistent bounce
- Premium alternatives feel better for tournament-style play (Wilson US Open, Tecnifibre Club)
- Aggressive baseliners might want a bit more bite and longevity
Aggressive baseliners might want a bit more bite and longevity.
Quick Ratings (Based on my own playtest – not official data)
Bounce Consistency 6.5/10 – Clean bounce but drops off after 1-2 hours heavy hitting
Durability 6.5/10 – Not the best, fluffs up quite quickly
Speed 7/10 – Not super lively, start out deadened without flying
Control 7/10 – Average, ok for casual hit
Feel 6/10 – Not great feel, would not suit competitive matches
All-Court Versatility 7.5/10 – Plays well on most surfaces (but wears down quickly on hard)
Value for Money 8.5/10 – Good value if can find multipack offer
Comparison vs Premium Balls
Wilson US Open – Gold standard for hard-court consistency but higher price point although more durable vs Dunlop AO
Slazenger Wimbledon – Start out a bit faster but similar durability to Dunlop AO balls
Head Pro – For me these are the closest comparable balls. Similar price point and durability but maybe start out a bit faster out of the can vs the Dunlop AO.
Buying Advice / Practical Tips
- Use Dunlop AO for practice sessions, keep a premium can for match days (e.g. Wilson US Open, Dunlop ATP)
- Don’t expect them to last more than 2–3 sessions especially on hard courts
- Hard court + heavy hitters = fastest wear — lasted better on artificial clay
Overall – If you want the performance ball for competitive matches, you might want to try a premium ball but for a casual hit or friendly match they do the job!
In summary – Dunlop AO Tennis Balls
Dunlop Australian Open tennis balls are a solid, well-priced choice for club players who want consistency and affordability. They’re not quite on the same level as some premium balls and performance definitely drops off faster than Wilson US Open or Dunlop ATP but that said if you can find a multipack offer they aren’t bad value overall for the average club player.