These new Wilson Ultras aim to deliver accessible power, a plush feel and a more refined experience for different levels of players. Let’s dive into how these Wilson racquets perform on court.
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Wilson Ultra 100 V5 – Easy Power, Plush Feel, Some Caveats
Specs & First Impressions
Wilson hasn’t reinvented the wheel with the Ultra 100 V5. The mold appears unchanged from the previous generation, and first impressions confirm it’s still a very easy-to-use, forgiving frame. It feaures a fairly fast beam and the aerodynamic profile helps generate decent racquet head speed. The swingweight of our test frame came in at 322 strung, making it solid enough for intermediate players and even the occasional tournament hitter.
Who Is It For?
The Ultra 100 V5 is not a pro player’s stick, let’s be clear. But for intermediate club players, happy amateurs, or those returning from a break, it’s nearly ideal. The sweet spot is generous, and the ball feels like it sinks into the strings nicely. Somewhat reminiscent of the Clash in terms of dampening and comfort (though not in string movement), the Ultra 100 offers a soft, arm-friendly ride.
String Performance & Recommendations
Here’s where things get a bit tricky: string movement. The grommets are quite open, resulting in a lot of string movement and faster tension loss. Compared to a Yonex EZone 100 or Babolat Pure Drive, you’ll find yourself straightening strings more frequently. For better control, a firmer poly like Restring Zero or ALU Power strung at 23–24 kg (~51–53 lbs) seems optimal. Strings like Luxilon 4G moved a lot in testing and made the frame feel a bit spongy after some time.
Playability
Despite the string-related caveats, this racquet is easy to swing, delivers predictable power, and is generally well-rounded. It competes with the EZone 100 and Pure Drive 100 but offers slightly better comfort, possibly at the expense of raw potential. You won’t get the “wow” factor on impact, but it’s consistently solid. A great recommendation for someone unsure of what they need, an Ultra 100 V5 demo might answer that question for you.
Wilson Ultra 99 Pro – Steam is Back, with a Twist
If you’ve been a fan of Wilson’s long-lost Steam 99, rejoice – because it’s back, reborn as the Ultra 99 Pro. We’ve been calling for this one, and Wilson (either through listening or planning ahead) has delivered.
Specs & Feel
The Ultra 99 Pro is based on the Steam 99 mold, coming in with a 99 sq in head, a 16×18 string pattern, and plenty of plush, controlled power. Compared to the older pro stock versions of this frame, the retail version is slightly softer and more dampened, thanks to Wilson’s SI3D frame tech and improved layup. The swingweight was around 327 strung, which gives the frame excellent stability and heft without being sluggish.
Looks & Build Quality
The gloss blue paint job is stunning, and in some ways even richer-looking than the Yonex EZone line it resembles. The new click-and-go bumper system, shared with the Blade line, makes replacing grommets pain-free, which is a blessing for customizers. Spec tolerance also seems to be much tighter in this generation – a big step forward for Wilson.
On-Court Performance
This is NOT a beginner-friendly racquet. If you’re a flat hitter, this likely won’t suit your game unless you’re Alex de Minaur. It’s best for advanced players who generate their own pace and spin, and who appreciate a more modern control frame. Serves are solid, slices bite deep, and volleys feel planted.
The downside? String sensitivity. The 16×18 pattern is very open, perhaps too much so. With soft strings like Luxilon Element IR at 23 kg, strings started shifting after just 30 minutes. Even firmer strings like Luxilon 4G didn’t hold position well, and the frame can quickly become a string breaker’s nightmare. You may want to go up in gauge to 1.30 mm or use slicker strings to mitigate excessive movement.
Ideal Setup & Player Profile
If you have fast preparation, good footwork, and a love for spin, this racquet could be a dream stick—provided you dial in the right string setup. It’s not as plug-and-play as the Ultra 100, but it rewards skill and customization. For some, this might be a main-frame switch contender, especially if you’re coming from something like the EZone 98 or Dunlop FX 500 Tour.
Tech & Sustainability Notes
Wilson has added a few extra touches with this release:
- Spec tolerance has improved, especially compared to past Ultra lines.
- Click-and-go bumper system makes grommet swaps easier.
- Agriplast bumpers are made from plant-based material—a nod toward eco-conscious production.
Do these radically change the feel? Not exactly. But they increase consistency and usability, which is a welcome evolution for most tennis players.
Final Verdict
| Model | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra 100 V5 | Intermediate/amateur players | Easy power, plush feel, great comfort | String movement, tension loss, lacks elite-level control |
| Ultra 99 Pro | Advanced spin players | Solid feel, great power/control blend, pro-level mold | String sensitive, open pattern, not ideal for flat hitters |
If you want a reliable, comfortable racquet with no-frills power and forgiveness, the Ultra 100 V5 is a very safe bet. For advanced players who want more feel, control, and performance, and are willing to tweak the string setup, the Ultra 99 Pro is one of the more exciting frames released this year.
Watch our video review of the Wilson Ultra V5 below:
Let me know in the comments, have you tried either of these new Ultras? Does the Ultra 99 Pro tempt you back to the Steam days? And what do you think of Wilson going glossy blue like Yonex?
Check more of our recommended top racquets.
Until next time, don’t forget to…
Play some tennis.
LA ULTRA PRO 99 V5 ES UNA RAQUETA QUE TE DA UN PLUS EN EL SAQUE, LA POTENCIA ES EXCELENTE AL TENER EL PATRON ABIERTO LA BOLA COGE MUCHO SPIN Y VELOCIDAD, ES CUESTIÓN DE SEGUIR PROBANDOLA AL DOMINARLA TENDRAS UN JUEGO MUY AGRESIVO. ESTETICAMENTE ES LA RAQUETA MAS HERMOSA QUE USE. VENGO USANDO VERSIONES ANTERIORES DESDE LA ULTRA V3 , ULTRA V4 PATRON 100 300 GRAMOS. APOSTÉ POR LA ULTRA V5 PRO POR SU PATRÓN DE ENCORDADO YA QUE ANTERIORMENTE USE LA BURN 100 CON EL MISMO PATRÓN Y ME DA LA MISMA SENSACIÓN DE POTENCIA. AUNQUE ROMPÍA MUCHA CUERDA PERO LO VALIA.
I’m just beginning my racket search after 35 years of not playing. I am now 76 years old so i am also well past the need of a more forgiving racket. Coming from a 90sq inch Wilson Ultra2, that weighs 370 grams, (yeah I know). I wa a strong weight 3.5 and a stringer and tennis nerd for many local players in the 1980s . As for the Ultra 99 it was my 2nd demo; I felt that the weight and balance and stiffness would be close to what I was looking for, and the larger head size would help. The demo Ultra 99 was strung at 55 lbs with NXT. The swing weight felt perfect but the even slightly off center hits were surprisingly harsh, especially since the spec stiffness was well below my old racket. When I hit the sweet spot, agressively, the Ultra 99 was rewardingly comfortable, smooth, and powerful, providing topspin that seemed to make the ball dive perfectly. I loved that! I thought control was good on slices, they stayed low and driven landing close enough where I was aiming. In addition, it felt well powered on serves. I will demo the 99 again before I decide. The are so many good potential choices. The Ultra 99 is still in the running as I’m hoping to find a demo that is set up with a more responsive string and tension. FYI, I don’t put much weight on the paint job, but I think the blue is attractive, albeit EZone ish.