Mike has tested the Wilson Ultra 100 V4 over the past month. This racket offers a generous amount of free power combined with plenty of ease of play and speed. A more than welcome bonus is the clearly improved comfort compared to the V3 version.
Tested racket/specifications:
Brand: Wilson
Model: Ultra 100 V4 Head size: 100 sq/inch
Weight: 300 gr Balance: 32.0 cm
String pattern: 16×19
Length: 27 inch RA: 70
Beam: 24mm / 26.5mm / 25mm
Swingweight: 317
Stringing: Diadem Pro X 17 at 23/23 kg
The Wilson Ultra 100 V4 is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice.
Technology:
For the new Ultra V4 series, Wilson - as with the other racket families - makes use of the Braid 45 technology. This technology provides more ball pocketing and stability higher up in the head. Wilson uses Color Shifting Paint which gives the racket its unique look. If you turn the racket or hold it in the light, you can see the colors 'shift' from blue and purple to a copper-colored glow. This gives the racket a stunning and chic look. Finally, the shaft has changed: it has become narrower and easier to 'grip' with the 2nd hand for players who have a two-handed backhand. In addition, the overall feel and comfort (fortunately) have been significantly improved, but more on that later.
Tester:
Name: Mike
Playing style: 4/4
Type of player: a somewhat more classic player, flat groundstrokes, does not generate that much spin himself. Had shoulder problems in the past.
Player's racket history: including Head Ti Fire, Babolat Pure Drive, Prince EXO3 Rebel Team, Wilson Steam 100 BLX2, Head Graphene Radical MP, Prince Textreme Warrior 107, Diadem Elevate FS 98, Tecnifibre T-Fight RS 300 and Wilson Blade 98 16x19 V7.
Other favorite rackets: Head Speed MP 2022 and the Wilson Blade 100 V8.
Test scores Wilson Ultra 100 V4:
Power: 9
Control: 7
Spin: 8
Comfort: 7.5
Maneuverability/speed: 8 Touch: 7.5
Baseline:
In this area, the Ultra 100 V4 really shines! Groundstrokes are very easy to play with more than enough length and power. You will really need to have your racket head and timing well in order, because the balls blast off! This was also the case with the V3 version I tested earlier, but that felt a bit more hollow and stiffer. Of the previous 3 Ultra 100s, version 1 was actually my favorite. Power rackets are simply stiff, but the V2 (Countervail) and V3 versions were personally still a bit too stiff for me. The Ultra 100 V4 therefore has a bit more feel. From the baseline, my balls especially went very easily and pleasantly with pace. With my backhand slice I missed some plough-through, but as said, this is a wonderful weapon from the baseline! Furthermore, the racket is nice and quick to get into position and the spin potential is decent. I personally experienced a bit more (access to) spin than with the V3 version.Service:
Serving also goes with a lot of ease and power. I did notice that I had to use a bit more slice and kick, otherwise the balls flew (too) long. But so more than enough speed and free service power and that is always nice.
Net:
At the net you notice that the racket is a bit more refined than the V3 version. There was less touch in that for feel volleys/stop volleys. They flew off a bit faster then. With hard incoming balls, the Wilson Ultra 100 V4 is nice and steady. If you want more feel, control and direction in general and thus also at the net, then I would recommend the Blade 100 V8 sooner. The real ingenuity is lacking a bit in that regard with the Ultra 100 V4, although the racket has still received a nice upgrade on this front.
Power/control Wilson Ultra 100 V4:
With the Ultra 100 V4, it is clearly power over control. The racket simply has an incredible amount of ease of play and free power. This is comparable to a Babolat Pure Drive, Diadem Nova FS 100 or Head Extreme MP or Boom MP. The trade-off with this type of racket is that you logically sacrifice control. That is also the case with this Ultra 100 V4. Still, the racket absolutely has more in store than its predecessor, the Ultra 100 V3. There is more feel in the racket and thus also a bit finer control over the ball. So power still predominates, but with more feel than its predecessor and thus also (more) comparable with the competition.
Comfort/arm-friendliness:
The comfort has significantly improved with this racket. I know I said that with the V3 vs. the V2 too, but the difference is now much greater. A good move by Wilson, because the previous version was still a bit tough on the arm for some players. I give the comfort a solid 7.5 and that is not bad for a top-tier power racket. Why doesn't Wilson make this racket even more comfortable then? Then the racket loses its direct control and also a part of its power and then the Ultra series comes too close to the Clash series. That will undoubtedly be Wilson's reasoning. The Wilson Ultra 100 V4 is now available in our webshop, including free stringing of your choice.
