Executive Summary
The Wilson Ultra 99 Pro V5 (2025) is not a standard Ultra. While the Ultra line is synonymous with thick-beam, high-stiffness power frames, the Ultra 99 Pro is built on an entirely different mold — the beloved Wilson Steam 99, discontinued since 2013 but still widely used as a pro stock base on the WTA tour.
Key Characteristic: A tapered 22/23.5/21.5mm beam and 99 sq in head size position this frame as a control-power crossover: accessible power from a moderately stiffer frame (69 RA), with a surprisingly precise, controlled character driven by its 305g/16×18 spec. The open 16×18 pattern — rare on the market — delivers generous spin potential with a flatter launch angle than a typical 16×19.
Key Update (2025): Wilson's SI3D™ frame technology enables three-dimensional bending to balance power, spin and control simultaneously. Updated Click-and-Go bumper system improves durability and grommet maintenance. Eco-conscious Agriplast bumpers are made from plant-based materials. Importantly: this frame plays meaningfully differently from the Ultra 100 V5 — don't approach it as an incremental update. It is a different racquet entirely.
Performance Profile
The Ultra 99 Pro occupies a unique position in the power-frame segment. Where the Ultra 100 is a classic power-first tweener, the 99 Pro bridges toward advanced player territory — demanding more skill but delivering more precision and court feel in return.
Performance Comparison: Ultra 99 Pro vs Ultra 100
Ultra 99 Pro leads in control and stability · Ultra 100 is easier and more powerful
On-Court Playtest
We took the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro V5 through a full hitting session strung with a co-poly in the low 50s. Here's how this controlled-power frame, built on the legendary Steam 99 mould, plays shot by shot.
Groundstrokes
Off the ground the Ultra 99 Pro is a controlled-power frame: tighter and more precise than the easy-going Ultra 100, with a heavier, more penetrating ball and a more connected feel, but with more access to power than a pure control frame. Built on the much-loved Steam 99 mould, it suits aggressive players who want pace and spin but also the ability to hit their spots. You drive the ball with a full swing and get a satisfying blend of power and control.
Serve
On serve it gives a strong blend of pace and placement, with good spin shape from the 99 sq in head and tighter pattern.
Volleys & Net
At net the more connected, stable feel makes volleys precise and confident, a step up in control from the Ultra 100.
Return & Defence
On the return the controlled-power balance lets you block deep or step in and drive, and on defence the frame stays stable and predictable while letting you redirect.
Comfort & Feel
It is firmer than a flexible classic but more connected and controlled than the standard Ultra; comfort is reasonable with a sensible string setup. A soft poly at a moderate tension is a good match.
Pros & Cons
The quick scannable summary of what we liked — and what to be aware of.
Pros
- Controlled power with a heavy, penetrating ball
- More precise and connected than the Ultra 100
- Built on the much-loved Steam 99 mould
- Good blend of pace, spin and control
- Strong, confident feel at net
Cons
- Less free, easy power than the Ultra 100
- Less pure control than a dedicated control frame
- Rewards a full swing; not for compact strokes
- Firmer feel than a flexible players' frame
Model Comparison Guide
The Ultra V5 family is split between two distinct playing experiences. The 100 is the classic power tweener; the 99 Pro is the advanced-leaning outlier that plays like a different brand of racquet entirely.
Ultra 99 Pro V5
The tour-DNA frame. Based on the Steam 99, it's a power frame that rewards technique — heavy spin, flat penetration, and an exceptional serve. Not plug-and-play; demands good footwork and full strokes.
Ultra 100 V5
The accessible power option. More forgiving, easier to accelerate, and better suited to developing players or those coming back to tennis. Not as demanding, but not as rewarding for advanced technique.
Ultra 100L / Team V5
The lightweight entry to the Ultra line. Easy power and low fatigue for players who need a light, forgiving frame to build confidence. Not suited for competitive players generating their own pace.
Who Plays With This?
The Ultra 99 Pro V5 is based on the Steam 99 mold that has been a popular WTA pro stock frame for years. The following profiles represent player styles that match this frame's strengths.
The Steam 99 mold has been one of the most used WTA pro stock frames — often disguised under Blade or Pro Staff paint jobs. Players who favor heavy, spinning groundstrokes with a controllable power frame are the natural home for this racquet's DNA.
Players who can generate their own power and want a frame that rewards full, committed swings. The 16×18 open pattern magnifies any topspin you bring, and the mass behind the ball turns those groundstrokes into genuinely heavy, deep-bouncing weapons.
The Ultra 99 Pro V5 has been widely praised as an exceptional serving frame. The combination of the 16×18 open cross pattern, 69 RA stiffness, and head-light 4–6 pts balance makes for a highly effective whip motion. Kick serves and slice serves especially benefit from the pattern's bite at the edges.
Players coming from the Yonex EZone 98 or Dunlop FX 500 Tour who want more power and a more open string pattern. The Ultra 99 Pro offers comparable control with a livelier, more dynamic feel — and serves up noticeably more free pace without the aggressive feel of a typical stiff power frame.
Technical "Must-Knows"
String Setup Guide
The Ultra 99 Pro V5 is best served by softer polyesters that let the 16×18 pattern do its work without adding excessive firmness. The 69 RA frame responds well to strings in the 48–54 lbs range. The open pattern means tensions hold up less than a denser-patterned frame — check string freshness regularly.
Quick Start
- Pro Reference: WTA players using Steam 99-derived pro stock frames have historically used natural gut hybrid setups at lower tensions (45–52 lbs). For the retail Ultra 99 Pro V5, replicating this with a gut main / soft poly cross hybrid produces the best balance of feel and control the frame is capable of.
Recommended Setups by Goal
| Goal | Recommended Setup | Starting Tension | What You'll Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | Soft poly full bed (1.25mm) | 50–53 lbs (22.5–24 kg) | The frame's natural strength — power, spin, and controlled depth |
| Max Spin | Shaped poly (Hyper-G, Tour Bite Soft), 1.25mm | 48–51 lbs (21.8–23.2 kg) | Excellent bite at contact, heavy topspin bounce — 16×18 amplifies this well |
| More Control | Firmer co-poly at higher tension | 53–56 lbs (24–25.5 kg) | Tighter trajectory, better line-painting — at the cost of feel and arm-comfort |
| Max Feel / Comfort | Natural gut mains + soft poly crosses | Gut 51–54 lbs / poly 48–51 lbs | Premium feel and arm-friendliness; maximises the frame's tour-DNA character |
| Max Durability | Thicker co-poly 1.30mm, full bed | 52–55 lbs (23.5–25 kg) | More break resistance; open 16×18 pattern eats thinner strings quickly |
Top 3 Recommended Strings
These strings consistently perform well in the Ultra 99 Pro V5, based on community feedback, reviewer playtests, and the frame's 69 RA / 16×18 characteristics. The open pattern rewards strings with good spin-bite and moderate stiffness.
Best for: Players wanting maximum spin with a comfortable, arm-friendly feel.
Hyper-G Soft's square shape bites the ball aggressively in the open 16×18 pattern — producing excellent topspin without adding harsh firmness to the 69 RA frame. Softer than original Hyper-G but with the same snapback and spin potential. One of the most frequently cited string pairings in player forums for Steam 99-based frames.
Best for: Advanced players (4.5+) prioritising control, stability, and flat penetrating groundstrokes.
The classic pairing for this type of frame. ALU Power's dead, controlled feel prevents the 16×18 pattern from getting too wild and adds the low-launch, heavy-ball character that complements the Ultra 99 Pro's power baseline. String 2–3 lbs lower than your normal ALU setup to offset its stiffness against the 69 RA frame.
Best for: Players wanting a well-rounded spin-and-control poly with good tension maintenance.
Poly Tour Pro's octagonal cross-section bites the ball well in the open 16×18 pattern while maintaining a slightly softer feel than traditional co-polys. Excellent tension retention — helpful in a frame where the open pattern contributes to faster tension loss. A popular all-round recommendation for this class of frame across player forums and review sites.
Pro tip: The 16×18 pattern moves string more than most 16×19 designs — strings need to be nudged back to centre regularly during play. Using wax on your strings, or lightly texturing the grommet area, helps reduce this movement in extended sessions.
Full Specifications
| Specification | Ultra 99 Pro V5 | Ultra 100 V5 | Ultra 100L V5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Size | 99 sq in (639 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) | 100 sq in (645 cm²) |
| Weight (Unstrung) | 305g / 10.8oz | 300g / 10.6oz | 265g / 9.4oz |
| Length | 27 in | 27 in | 27 in |
| Balance | 4–6 pts HL | 4 pts HL | 2 pts HL |
| String Pattern | 16×18 (very open) | 16×19 (open) | 16×19 (open) |
| Beam Width | 22 / 23.5 / 21.5mm (tapered) | 24 / 26 / 25mm | 24 / 26 / 25mm |
| Stiffness (RA) | ~69 | ~68–70 | ~65 |
| Swingweight (strung) | ~327–330 | ~322 | ~295 |
| Technology | SI3D™, FortyFive Braid, Click-and-Go | SI3D™, FortyFive Braid, Click-and-Go | SI3D™, Click-and-Go |
| Recommended Tension | 48–57 lbs | 50–60 lbs | 50–60 lbs |
| Target Player | Advanced (4.0–5.0) | Intermediate–Advanced (3.0–4.5) | Beginner–Intermediate |
Our Verdict
The Ultra 99 Pro V5 is Wilson's controlled-power 99 — the loved Steam 99 mould delivering a heavier, more precise, more connected ball than the easy-going Ultra 100.
It's the frame we'd recommend to intermediate-to-advanced aggressive players who want power and spin but also the control to hit their spots, and who like the Steam 99 mould's character. You give up the Ultra 100's effortless ease and a pure control frame's precision, but as a controlled-power 99 it strikes a satisfying balance. Choose the Ultra 100 for easier power, or a Blade for more control.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro good for beginners?
Not really. The Ultra 99 Pro is a controlled-power frame for intermediate-to-advanced players who generate their own pace. Improvers with a developing full swing can enjoy it, but beginners are better served by the easier, more forgiving Ultra 100 first.
Wilson Ultra 99 Pro vs Ultra 100 — which should I buy?
Choose the Ultra 99 Pro for a tighter, more precise, more connected frame with controlled power and a heavier ball. Choose the Ultra 100 for easier, more effortless power and a larger, more forgiving sweet spot. The 99 Pro is the controlled-power option; the 100 is the accessible-power option.
Is the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro arm-friendly?
It is firmer than a flexible classic but more connected than the standard Ultra, and comfort is reasonable with a sensible setup. For sensitive arms, string a soft poly at a moderate tension or use a hybrid rather than a firm poly at high tension.
What string and tension is best for the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro?
A co-polyester in the low 50s lbs is a good all-round starting point. For more comfort use a softer poly or a multifilament hybrid; for more control go a touch tighter; for more spin use a shaped poly.
Is the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro a control or power racquet?
It is a controlled-power frame — it blends a heavier, more penetrating, more connected ball with access to power, sitting between the easy-power Ultra 100 and a dedicated control frame.
What is the Steam 99 mould in the Wilson Ultra 99 Pro?
The Ultra 99 Pro is built on the much-loved Steam 99 mould, a frame layout known for its blend of control and spin. That heritage gives the Ultra 99 Pro its tighter, more precise, controlled-power character compared with the standard Ultra.