New Wilson Ultra V5 Racket Enticing Host Of Professionals To Switch
The new Wilson Ultra v5 tennis racket, launching July 15, already has something the previous versions haven't enjoyed: a host of top-level tour professionals switching to the Pro version of the frame.
As Wilson continues to tweak the design of its flagship 'explosive power' frame, the Chicago-based brand has added new technologies designed to complement the modern game while introducing a range of rackets within the Ultra v5 line to appeal to a mix of players, including enticing Alex de Minaur, Qinwen Zheng and Marta Kostyuk to switch frames and join Maria Sakkari as Ultra players.
'The new Ultra v5 gives me a whole new level of confidence on court,' de Minaur says, 'the power and precision are another level.'
Marta Kostyuk is switching to the Wilson Ultra v5 and will have a dress to match the racket's ... More colorway.
The seven models of the new frame, which include the mainline 100 and the 99 Pro, along with two lightweight 100s, a 111 and two junior frames, 'is all about power for the aggressive baseliner,' David Packowitz, Wilson global product line manager for performance rackets, tells me. 'In v5, it was how do we deliver a better experience for those players and give them the ability to execute their game better?'
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The answer focused on adapting to the modern game, which includes players hitting with more net clearance as they rely on additional spin, players being forced to hit shots from a greater variety of areas on the court, the need for increased shot variety—no longer is it just a serve and big forehand, but players are using chips, high balls, slices and more to set up the winner—and a fresh level of explosivity. 'We wanted to deliver a racket that allows players to accelerate and generate pace off slower balls," Packowitz adds.
To make it happen, Wilson reengineered the internal layup of the carbon fiber with a 'tiny tweak' to the flexibility of the racket. While still a stiff power racket, Packowitz says, the result offers more pocketing in the Ultra v5 that offers additional access to control and power that helps keep the ball within the confines of a 78-foot-long tennis court. The change also increased the ability to shape shots, generate spin and create power on slower balls.
Alex de Minaur is switching to the Wilson Ultra v5.
Wilson, with two power-focused frames—the Ultra and Clash—comes about that power differently in each. The Clash is more flexible with a focus on comfortable power, while the Ultra offers a 'stiff, explosive power racket for the player who takes long cuts and wants something super stable.' Packowitz says both offer a focus on power—the Ultra offers more power than, for example, the Blade—but with a different feel. It's that classic stiffness that attracts elite level players. And now they have a model to fit their needs.
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The Ultra v5 features the 99 Pro, a version loaded with additional technology, including an 'elite power flex' that makes it the stiffest racket in the Wilson lineup. There's also a higher balance, meant for stability.
The 99 Pro also tweaks the v5's dual tapered beam by creating it in a 'D' shape to make it even more maneuverable on fast swings. The 100 model features power grooves at the top of the hoop, while the 99 Pro moves them to all four corners for an 'explosive feel on contact.' While the 16x19 string pattern is the norm for the Ultra v5, the 99 Pro comes a 16x18 pattern to bring in an additional level of forgiveness and spin because of the racket's stiffness. The Ultra v5 100 weighs in at 300 grams, while the 99 Pro is at 305, making it easy to add weight to, if players want to customize.
The power-focused Wilson Ultra v5 tennis racket.
'The 99 Pro is a new model at the top of the food chain in the franchise for the elite power aggressive baseliner,' Packowitz says. 'That is a racket that players are going to find wonders in, with tech that is special and important. It is cool to add to the line and players are asking when they can get their hands on it.'
New tech also comes with new manufacturing. Packowitz says that while Wilson is always working to improve quality, the Ultra v5 shows a real step up in improved spec tolerance. 'It is something we are absolutely committed to,' he says about trying to create repeatability between racket specs. 'You are not going to get another racket that plays different but get something consistent.'
The Wilson pledge starts with the Ultra v5, but Packowitz says spec tolerance will improve for every product cycle for each racket.
Marta Kostyuk and her WIlson Ultra v5 tennis racket.
To really accentuate the explosive power focus of the Ultra v5, Packowitz says the design team, along with the product development team, wanted to create a cosmetic that matched the performances. 'We kept coming back to this idea of a blue flame, the hottest part of the flame,' he says. Hence the 'electric indigo' color was born. 'It is bold, explosive and energetic,' he says. 'It is loved by our players.'
Wilson will lean fully into the color—the 99 Pro comes in all gloss, while the other versions come in matte—thanks to a head-to-toe Electric Indigo look worn by Kostyuk, who will use the new racket with a matching Headliner Dress and Intrigue shoe.
Wilson wants to make an explosive statement with the new Ultra v5. They have powerful stars backing it up.
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