Intro

When used as an adjective, the word ultra describes something that is extreme, drastic, and revolutionary. The Wilson Ultra 100L v3.0 is extremely light, comfortable, and easy to swing. Rather than favoring one aspect of the game, this racquet gives you a steady all-around performance. I really like the bold, emblematic color scheme of the Wilson Ultra Series.

This latest version features a Crush Zone Grommet system that condenses at impact to improve ball dwell time on strings. It’s lightweight structure offers extra maneuverability and the Integrated Perimeter Weighting System adds stability without narrowing the sweet spot. For beginners, the Ultra 100L v3.0 pairs well with a soft string such as the Wilson NXT Soft.

Groundstrokes

The Wilson Ultra 100L makes it easy to rally from the baseline. The lower swingweight allowed me to swing with less effort so my arms never felt fatigued. One challenge for me was that I had to slow down my swing speed a little to generate a consistent, balanced stroke and accurate placement. Because it’s so light, the tendency is to whip forehands and backhands, but you don’t want to swing this one too fast.

Also, note that it’s difficult to return a heavy kick serve or a heavy topspin forehand that pushes you far behind the baseline. The Wilson Ultra 100L doesn’t have the mass to hang against heavy hitters; your counterpunches will sail long. That’s why this soft racquet is perfect for beginner to intermediate tennis players. It’s easy to keep the ball in the court. When you hit the sweet spot, it displays natural depth and ultra control. You need to develop your game with consistency before you can add power to strike more winners.

Volleys

Despite the low weight (just 9.9 oz. unstrung), I felt comfortable volleying with the Wilson Ultra 100L. The first touch was firm and blocked the ball back with relative ease. But what really caught my eye was the impressive response to low volleys and half-volleys. If my opponent dipped a forehand at my feet, I could reach down for the short hop pick-up. Other times, I dropped the racquet head to make solid contact before the ball touched the ground. So, I’d say this stick supplies appealing maneuverability at the net. While it won’t guarantee a putaway volley, this soft yet stable frame will keep you in the point so you can force your opponent to make a mistake. I liked hitting overheads with this racquet as well.

Serves

Much like groundstrokes, it’s important to have the right swing speed on your serves. The Wilson Ultra 100L helped me get my serves in the box consistently, although not with a ton of pace or speed. This racquet is not designed to hit aces, but instead give beginners what they need — confidence and reliability. What worked best for me was a ball toss slightly to the left (I’m a righty) for a serve with spin, but not what I would call a heavy “kick” serve. Flat serves were a no-go. Above all, I think you’ll like how this racquet feels when you serve.

Overall

The Wilson Ultra 100L is a versatile, light racquet that’s perfect for a beginner to intermediate adult or junior player. Thanks to a 100 square inch head, you’ll enjoy a larger sweet spot that enables you to hit a consistent ball from all angles of the court. It’s feathery swingweight will reduce the potential for arm injuries and muscle fatigue during competition. Plus, your strokes will feel almost effortless! If you’re looking for a sturdy frame that will help you develop your tennis game, choose the Wilson Ultra 100L.

NOTE: I playtested this racquet using Wilson NXT Soft strung at 50 lbs. For optimal results, we recommend a string tension between 50-60 lbs.

About the Reviewer: Chris Griesedieck played high school tennis in the St. Louis area and competed in USTA junior tournaments in the Missouri Valley section. Today he is an active 4.5 USTA tournament player and is a PTR certified coach.