Dunlop Nemesis Carbon 2023 Padel Racket Review

Performance Ratings

• Power: 72/100
• Control: 86/100
• Rebound: 76/100
• Maneuverability: 82/100
• Sweet Spot: 78/100

Specifications

Brand

Dunlop

Shape

Teardrop

Balance

Mid

Surface

Smooth

Hardness

Hard

Core

EVA Soft

Game Level

Advanced

Game Type

Control

Year

2023

Expert Review

Quick Verdict

The Dunlop Nemesis Carbon is a control-first teardrop racket that punches well above its current €69.95 price tag. It suits advanced, control-oriented players on the right side who build points through bandejas and precise volleys rather than raw smash power. Biggest strength: pinpoint control at speed. Biggest weakness: limited pop when you need a flat, put-away smash.

Introduction

A racket that once carried a €250 price tag rarely survives the drop to under €70 without cutting corners somewhere. That's the question we brought onto the court with the Dunlop Nemesis Carbon: does the on-court experience still feel like a premium frame, or does it play like a discount clearance item? After several sessions across singles drills, doubles matches, and dedicated volley work, our answer leans firmly toward the former.

Dunlop built this 2023 teardrop padel racket for players who prioritize precision over brute force. The Mid balance point sits the weight closer to the handle than a typical round or diamond shape would, and paired with a glossy Smooth surface and Hard EVA Soft core, the whole package reads like a racket engineered for shot-shaping rather than one-dimensional bashing. Dunlop's own Game Type label of "Control" is not marketing fluff here — it shows up in how the ball behaves off the strings.

What surprised us most during testing wasn't the control, which we expected given the specs. It was how comfortably the racket handled defensive lobs from deep in the court, a scenario where Mid-balance teardrops often feel indecisive.

Performance on the Court

At the Back of the Court (Defense)

Retrieving smashes from the back glass is where a lot of budget teardrop rackets fall apart, either transmitting too much shock or lacking the stability to redirect pace. The Nemesis Carbon handled heavy overheads from our hitting partners with surprising composure, the Hard core absorbing the impact without the ball ballooning off the frame.

On defensive lobs, the Mid balance gave us just enough head presence to get depth without a full wind-up. Low balls near the back wall were where the teardrop shape's sweet spot rating of 78/100 became noticeable — shots struck slightly off-center still found the middle of the court rather than clipping the net.

At the Net (Volleys and Smashes)

Block volleys felt notably stable. When facing a hard-driven ball at the net, the frame didn't twist in the hand, which let us redirect pace cross-court with confidence rather than just surviving the exchange.

Punch volleys carried decent bite, though smashes exposed the racket's ceiling. With a Power rating of 72/100, this isn't the racket for players who want to end rallies with a flat, aggressive smash — you'll need to generate your own racket speed, as the frame won't do much of that work for you.

Spin and Control (Viboras & Bandejas)

This is where the Nemesis Carbon earns its keep. The Smooth surface bit into the ball cleanly on bandeja setups, letting us guide the ball with slice rather than fight the frame for direction.

On vibora attempts, the combination of Mid balance and Hard core gave us a crisp, controlled snap through contact. We consistently placed the ball where we aimed rather than where the racket decided to send it — a hallmark of its 86/100 Control rating showing up in real shot outcomes.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The teardrop shape combined with Mid balance gives advanced players enough maneuverability for fast net exchanges without sacrificing the plow-through needed for deeper baseline shots.
• Control feels genuinely elevated on bandejas and viboras, letting shot-makers place the ball with intent rather than hoping for the best.
• The Hard EVA Soft core handled heavy smashes from opponents without excessive vibration, which matters during long defensive rallies.
• A maneuverability rating of 82/100 translated into quick reflex volleys at the net, especially useful when defending fast exchanges at close range.
• At its current price, the racket delivers performance well beyond what we'd expect from a sub-€70 frame.

Cons

• Power output is modest — players relying on flat smashes as a primary weapon will need to supply more of their own racket-head speed.
• The Hard core, while stable, may feel firm over long sessions for players with existing elbow or wrist sensitivity.
• Sweet spot forgiveness, while decent, isn't elite — off-center bajadas and smashes lose noticeably more pace than centered ones.
• This is not a beginner-friendly frame; the control-oriented, Hard-core setup rewards technique over forgiveness.

Construction and Materials

The EVA Soft core sits inside a Hard-rated frame, an interesting pairing that Dunlop clearly tuned for control rather than outright softness. In practice, the core dampens harsh vibration on defensive blocks while the Hard rating keeps the face rigid enough to hold its shape on firm volleys.

The Smooth, Glossy surface is where the racket's control identity really lives. It grips the ball just long enough on slice-heavy shots like bandejas and viboras to let you shape the trajectory, rather than the ball skidding off unpredictably.

For a racket now priced closer to entry-level territory, the build quality feels disproportionately solid. There's no rattle, no flex where you don't want it, and the finish held up across our test sessions without visible wear on the frame edges.

Who Is This Racket For?

We'd point this racket toward the right-side player who plays a controlled, all-court game — someone who constructs points through bandejas, precise cross-court volleys, and well-placed lobs rather than relying on a single explosive weapon. The Advanced Game Level rating on the spec sheet lines up with what we felt on court: this rewards clean technique more than it forgives sloppy contact.

Physically, players without significant wrist or elbow sensitivity will get the most out of the Hard core, since it doesn't cushion mishits as generously as a Soft-rated frame would. It suits competitive players hitting the court three or more times a week just as comfortably as it does a technically sound recreational player.

This is not the racket for a left-side aggressor who wants to end points with flat, powerful smashes — the Power rating simply won't deliver that explosive finish. Beginners chasing forgiveness on off-center hits should also look elsewhere, as the sweet spot here is functional but not generous.

How It Compares

Within Dunlop's own lineup, the Nemesis Carbon sits as a control-leaning teardrop option, distinct from more power-focused diamond frames in the brand's catalog. Against the broader budget market, it holds its ground impressively well given its steep discount from the original €250 price.

Compared to the Akkeron Oro 23, the Nemesis Carbon offers a noticeably more control-oriented feel on touch shots like bandejas, while the Akkeron leans slightly more toward power delivery on flatter, faster swings. Players who value shot placement over raw pace will likely prefer the Dunlop.

Against the Bullpadel Flow Woman, the comparison shifts toward player profile rather than pure performance — the Flow Woman targets a lighter, more forgiving swing weight, whereas the Nemesis Carbon's Mid balance and Hard core ask for more technical input from the player. If you want the racket to do more of the work, the Bullpadel may suit better; if you want to dictate the shot, the Dunlop wins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the Dunlop Nemesis Carbon good for advanced players?

Yes — the Advanced Game Level rating matches what we experienced on court, particularly on bandejas and viboras where precise racket-face control mattered more than raw power. Players still developing consistent technique may find the Hard core less forgiving than they'd like.

Q: Who is the Dunlop Nemesis Carbon actually best suited for?

It's best suited to a right-side, all-court or control-oriented player who plays competitively multiple times a week and has no significant wrist or elbow sensitivity. This player values shot placement on volleys and lobs over ending points with a single flat smash.

Q: How does the Dunlop Nemesis Carbon compare to Akkeron Oro 23?

The Nemesis Carbon feels more precise on touch shots and defensive redirection, while the Akkeron Oro 23 offers a bit more raw power on flatter, faster swings. Choose the Dunlop if control is your priority; choose the Akkeron if you want more pop on aggressive shots.

Q: Is the Dunlop Nemesis Carbon still a good buy in 2026 considering its price and performance?

At its current price, yes — it significantly outperforms what we'd expect from a sub-€70 racket, particularly in control and maneuverability. If you're weighing when to replace your padel racket, this is a strong, low-risk upgrade candidate for a control-focused secondary or primary frame.

Final Verdict

The Dunlop Nemesis Carbon punches well above its current price point, and our time on court confirms it. Control is the headline story here — bandejas, viboras, and block volleys all benefited from the precise, predictable response off the Smooth surface.

Power is the clear trade-off, and players who build their game around flat, aggressive smashes should look elsewhere. Pair this racket with a fresh setup by checking our grip replacement guide, and consider how conditions might affect play using our seasonal racket guide.

Buy it if you're an advanced, control-minded player on the right side who wants pinpoint accuracy on touch shots at a fraction of its original price. Skip it if your game revolves around overpowering opponents with raw smash pace — this frame simply won't deliver that explosive finish.