Racquet Review: Wilson Ultra 100 v4

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It was time for a reboot. Just as a film franchise looks for a jolt of energy after a poorly received installment—see The Rock reviving The Fast and the Furious movies—racquets can require a significant overhaul if it has grown stale, or a particular generation misses the mark. The third version of the Wilson Ultra 100 wasn’t a total clunker, but its playability left something to be desired. After some serious edits, the fourth chapter in the Ultra saga might just be the most satisfying yet.

Wilson reengineered the Ultra to make it more aerodynamic and ergonomic. The updated geometry and thinner shaft allowed it to move through more quickly and smoothly through the air, as well as just feel better in the hands. Under the hood, Wilson added its FortyFive technology that was derived from its Clash racquets and is making its way through the company’s other lines. This increases the frame’s flexibility and encourages it to bend in the most advantageous fashion while still retaining impressive power and stability.

Another notable alteration was the frame’s appearance. It’s one of Wilson’s color-shifting designs, this time changing from teal/blue to a darker blue, almost purple depending on the angle. It’s a real stunner and a big upgrade over the prior glossy navy/aqua/silver cosmetic. Every time I brought it out to play, compliments were immediate and effusive.

SPECS

Price: $220 (Buy here)
Head Size: 100 sq. in.
Length: 27 in.
Weight: 11.2 oz.
Balance: 4 pts. HL
Swingweight: 317
RA Rating: 70
Beam Width: 24mm / 26.5mm / 25mm
String Pattern: 16x19

In action, I encountered something of a Jekyll and Hyde aspect to the response of the Ultra. There were times when I really felt the bending and flex in the frame, which brought a greater sense of ball connection and pocketing. It was a definite improvement from the previous generation in terms of feel and comfort. Other times, however, it still lived up to its high stiffness rating, and felt fairly rigid at contact. Played alongside a softer frame, my wrist could tell the difference. So, while softer and certainly a step up in this department, it probably fell short of earning an arm-friendly label like that of the Clash.

But producing a powerful ball—not cushiness—has been this frame’s directive, and this latest was no slouch. As the specs were outside my wheelhouse, initially I was consistently inconsistent. Lots of winners, lots of errors. The racquet’s quickness disrupted my timing, but once I got settled and made a couple of adjustments to my approach, I developed a fine working relationship with the racquet. And ultimately the design changes led to a more controllable and predictable hitting experience than the outgoing model.

Besides, the Ultra’s main audience generally looks for additional help from their racquet’s, and generally use shorter, more tempered swings. Those players who really go after the ball can tap into the frame’s spin potential for more safety. And the wide spacing on the 16x19 string pattern was a capable conduit. Rolling angles and looping forehands worked reliably well. The Ultra also produced chips and slices with ease. They didn’t necessarily have the dirty low skids of a heavier frame, but it was a dependable option for getting shots deep in the court and became my favored backhand during the test.

Where ground strokes took some restraint, serving made better use of the frame’s bombast. It was a guilty to pleasure to toss the ball up and have at it. Flatter missiles took off through the court and had better than expected placement. But the real treat was unleashing kicks that bounded to obnoxious heights. My first serve percentage was probably a little lower than usual, but nonetheless enjoyed numerous free points and first ball opportunities.

Net play was also an asset of the Ultra. Just get the strings in front of the ball and let the racquet do its thing. And the improved handling made it plenty quick enough to find the right positioning on most occasions. The frame possessed a real sturdiness for its weight, rarely getting defeated by incoming pace. It wasn’t a natural at sucking some of the pace off those shots—the ball wanted to jump off the string bed—but the added bending and feel allowed me to be cuter on volleys than I anticipated; crafty players with soft touch should be able to ply their trade. Still, the racquet shined brightest when it came time to take a chest-high sitter and drive it through the court or punish a shallow lob with an angry overhead.

When the credits rolled on my playtest with the Ultra 100, I left the court pleased with its progress. It has always been a maximum return on minimum investment type of frame; while this latest generation certainly continues that tradition, it's a more refined experience. The feel, control and comfort were all levels above its predecessor, noticeably increasing the playability. If the previous outing turned you off from the franchise, the newest Ultra is well worth another viewing.