Not every racquet needs to make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a Grand Slam final. Sometimes, the most enjoyable hit is the one that asks a little less of your shoulder, your timing, and your legs — but still gives you enough feedback to keep pushing your game. That’s exactly where the Wilson Ultra 100L V5 comes in. L is for “light,” yes, but this version of the Ultra 100 doesn’t play like a toy. It’s powerful, controlled, and — crucially — really comfortable to use.
This is the kind of racquet that fits into a wide range of bags. Club players who want a little more maneuverability. Competitive juniors transitioning into adult frames. Players coming back from injury or just wanting something more arm-friendly. Even doubles specialists who like to keep things compact and quick at the net. The Ultra 100L isn’t a niche option — it’s a smart one.
It shares the same Electric Indigo aesthetic and core technologies as the Ultra 100 V5, but comes in at a more manageable 280 grams unstrung and a slightly more head-heavy balance at 325mm. Here are the specs at a glance:
- Headsize: 100 sq in / 645 cm²
- Weight (unstrung): 280 g
- Balance: 325 mm
- String Pattern: 16×19
- Length: 27 in / 680 mm
So what does this mean in practice?
We strung our test frame with Wilson NXT at 52 pounds, aiming to bring out the comfort and touch that this racquet is clearly built to highlight. Immediately, it felt familiar — because it is familiar. Wilson hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, and that’s a good thing. Instead, they’ve brought the Ultra into line with the modern player’s needs: lighter, faster, but without giving up on the feel and feedback that make a racquet worth sticking with.
The SI3D tech, just as with the heavier versions, helps the frame flex and respond dynamically through different planes of motion. It’s especially noticeable when you’re taking the ball early or hitting on the run. The racquet doesn’t collapse under pressure, even though it’s lighter. Instead, it bends just enough to soften the impact and return a bit of that energy into your shot. The dwell time is real — and it gives you the sense that you’ve got a little extra time to shape the ball, especially on loopy crosscourt forehands or when redirecting pace.
Where it shines most is in maneuverability. If the Ultra 99 Pro V5 is the racquet for full-blooded baseliners, and the Ultra 100 V5 is the all-court Swiss army knife, then the Ultra 100L V5 is the one you can wield with ease and confidence no matter what your game looks like. Net play becomes less about precision and more about instinct — you can simply react and guide the ball. On returns, it feels quick and responsive. And on serve, the lighter weight makes it easier to experiment with placement and spin without overthinking your mechanics.
Now, no racquet is perfect, and the Ultra 100L V5 does come with a tradeoff: stability. If you’re playing heavy hitters or returning big first serves, you’ll notice that the racquet gives a bit more than its heavier siblings. That’s expected in this category. You can add some weight if you’d like — at 12 and 6 o’clock, or even in the handle to bring the balance closer to neutral — but even stock, the racquet holds up well for intermediate-level play.
Another thing that stands out is the feel. Thanks to the FORTYFIVE layup, the Ultra 100L doesn’t feel hollow or tinny — a common complaint in lighter frames. Instead, it strikes a good balance between flex and feedback. The ball doesn’t linger forever, but it lingers just enough. Players coming from stiffer frames or those looking to protect their arm will appreciate how plush it feels without being overly dampened.
As with the other racquets in the V5 Ultra range, the design is bold but not over the top. That iridescent Electric Indigo color has more presence in person than in photos, catching the light with a modern, premium look. There’s also a welcome subtlety in the branding — Wilson has figured out how to make performance gear look both functional and cool again.
Who is the Ultra 100L V5 for?
This racquet isn’t chasing prestige — it’s here to make tennis more fun, more playable, and less physically punishing. If you’re stepping up from an entry-level frame, if you want to play a few more sets without feeling sore the next day, or if you just want something that performs without demanding perfect footwork or timing, the Ultra 100L V5 is worth a serious look.
It might not be the first racquet on every demo list — the Pro and the 100 get more of the spotlight — but once you pick it up, you quickly realize how smart of a design this is. It does exactly what a modern, lightweight performance racquet should do: it helps you play better, longer, and with more confidence.
And for a lot of us, that’s the whole point.
