I strung up the new Wilson Ultra 99 Pro v5 the evening it landed in my hands, still slick in its plastic wrap. It’s not often a racket walks the line between modern punch and classical feel as carefully as this one does. After a week of testing across a handful of sessions—both competitive sets and heavy drills—I’m ready to say it: the Ultra 99 Pro v5 may be Wilson’s most complete player’s racket since the heyday of the Six.One 95.
Let’s get straight to the specs, since they shape what this frame is all about. The Ultra 99 Pro v5 clocks in at 305 grams unstrung, with a 99 square inch head, a 16×18 open string pattern, and a swingweight around 327 (strung). It has a ~6 pts head light balance, a RA stiffness rating around 70, and is said to be molded similarly to the classic Steam 99.
First Impressions
Even before hitting, the Ultra 99 Pro v5 feels serious in hand. The slightly thicker beam (for a “Pro” frame) and updated cosmetics give it a sharper, modern look, but the weight and balance are all business. It swings fast without feeling twitchy, and that 99” head provides a real sense of forgiveness without turning into a trampoline.
I strung it with Solinco Hyper-G Soft at 52 pounds, and later tested Lynx Tour at 50, both in full bed setups. Each one gave something different: Hyper-G brought out the spin and dwell time, while Lynx Tour provided more crispness and directional control. I’d say the sweet spot for tension sits between 50 and 60 lbs, depending on your preference for pocketing vs. feedback.
Groundstrokes
The Ultra 99 Pro v5 absolutely shines off the ground. The 16×18 pattern opens up plenty of spin potential—not quite Pure Aero levels, but very close, with a flatter launch angle. I was surprised at how much height I could generate over the net when rolling crosscourt forehands, but also how low and skidding I could go with slice backhands. That balance is rare.
Where it really stood out, though, was on flatter drives. The weight behind the ball was noticeable, and I could hit through the court without needing to over-swing. One of my hitting partners commented that “balls off that frame are heavy.” They’re right. It’s not trampoline power—it’s controlled weight.
The 99” head gave me a bit more forgiveness than the 97s I usually play with (Pro Staff and Prestige), and that made extended rallies more comfortable. I could hit out, even under pressure.
Volleys & Touch
At net, this racket is solid. The 4 pts head light balance makes it quick to maneuver, and the stiffness helps punches and blocks feel stable even when the ball is coming fast. There’s some feel at the stringbed, especially with a softer poly like Hyper-G, though touch shots required more practice than with, say, a Blade or Pro Staff.
It’s not a scalpel at net, but it doesn’t feel clunky either. As a frequent serve-and-volleyer in doubles, I’d give it an 8/10 for hands. Better than expected.
Serves
On serve, the Ultra 99 Pro v5 really impressed me. That higher swingweight provides noticeable plow through, which made flat serves down the T pop off the strings with a satisfying thud. The 16×18 pattern also made it easier to access slice and kick, particularly on second serves.
Compared to the V4 Ultra Pro, this frame felt livelier without being wild. More margin for error, but still directed. I hit some of my best kick serves of the month with this setup—possibly due to how long the ball sits on the strings before launching.
Returns
With returns, you feel the blend of maneuverability and mass. Against heavy servers, the racket felt solid when blocking. On second serves, I could step in, swing compactly, and redirect with surprising depth. It reminded me in some ways of the Steam 99—especially how it encourages attacking returns off weaker serves.
Compared to the V4 Ultra Pro
- Feel: The V5 is more comfortable and a little more dampened.
- Power: Definitely a step up. Still not “tweener” territory, but more accessible.
- Control: Slightly more forgiving than V4, especially on mishits.
- Spin: More bite from the open pattern, especially noticeable with spin-friendly polys.
The V5 99 Pro strikes a really interesting balance: more user-friendly than its predecessors, but still unmistakably a “player’s frame.” It doesn’t swing quite as fast as a Blade 98 or Clash Pro, but it offers more directional stability and a more rewarding ball response when you hit cleanly.
Final Verdict
The Wilson Ultra 99 Pro v5 is one of the best control-power rackets released in 2025 so far. It fits comfortably into that growing niche of frames designed for modern players who want to hit aggressively—but without losing shape, feel, or the option to place the ball with intent.
It’s not plug-and-play for beginners, but it doesn’t punish you either. Intermediate to advanced players will get the most out of it, especially those looking for a racket that supports flat hitting, spin, and weight through the ball without sacrificing arm comfort.
Recommended for:
- Baseliners with modern, full swings
- Aggressive counterpunchers
- Doubles players needing stability at net
- Players seeking a modern alternative to the Six.One 95 or Steam 99 molds
If you’re looking for a racket that rewards full swings with controlled power, spin, and feel, the Ultra 99 Pro v5 might be the most versatile Wilson release in years. And as of July 16, when it officially hits shelves, I’d be surprised if it doesn’t become the go-to frame for a whole new wave of performance players.
