Need advice on Wilson Ultra 100 vs Blade 104

[Ziatennis89]

Hi! I’ve been demoing racquets and have narrowed my preferences down to the Ultra 100 and Blade 104. But I’m struggling to decide between the two as I see them both having different pros/cons. I like the Ultra’s plush and powerful feel—reminds me of a slightly more controlled Babolat Pure Drive. But I am conflicted because I have used an older version of the Blade 104 for years (since 2015), and I have always loved it. I enjoyed demoing the v8 and loved the easy spin. I’m not sure I love the 16 x 19 string pattern or the extended length, though. I also thought the 104 v8 felt less controlled than older versions. And I could see the extended length causing arm or wrist problems for me down the line. To be honest, I feel compelled to try the Ultra, but I also feel like I don’t know very many people who use that racquet, which somehow concerns me (though maybe it shouldn’t?).

Any advice on which I should choose?

For context, I’m a 4.5 woman player who pretty short and petite (5’3). I am a lifelong tennis player with conventional technique who hits with topspin and loves to hang at the baseline and set my partner up at the net. I have quick hands and defensive game, though I don’t always close the point right away at the net (working on this). I also struggle at times with serve placement and consistently serving hard and flat. I typically opt for a heavier spin serve during matches. Since I’d like to be able to serve hard and flat more consistently, I feel drawn to an extended length racquet, but I’m still not sure.

Any advice or insight is greatly appreciated! I do not want to spend more time demoing more racquets than I already have, as my 2015 Blades are in bad shape and I need a new set of racquets ASAP! Basically, I think I’d be happy with the Ultra or the Blade, but I need some insight to tip things one way or the other.

Thanks!

 

[TwinCinema]

I demoed the Ultra 100 v4 and liked it a lot. It has plenty of power at the baseline, and its only drawback is a slight lack of control *if* you don't have the skill. But as a 4.5, it sounds like you already have good enough technique to keep a powerful racket in the lines, so I think that's the answer. I actually play at a live ball clinic with a guy who has a Blade 104 and he has control problems, though he gets a TON of spin. I also play with a woman (a bit taller than you) who has an Ultra and her groundstrokes are very solid. Although I'm a Blade 98 user, I certainly wouldn't hate having an Ultra in my bag and I do think it deserves a little more love than it gets.

EDIT: Also should mention that when I played with an Ultra it had multi in it, which may have been the control problem. I think if you use a poly you like, strung over 50, then the Ultra should have no problem. Get the Ultra and tinker with strings.

 

[Ziatennis89]

I demoed the Ultra 100 v4 and liked it a lot. It has plenty of power at the baseline, and its only drawback is a slight lack of control *if* you don't have the skill. But as a 4.5, it sounds like you already have good enough technique to keep a powerful racket in the lines, so I think that's the answer. I actually play at a live ball clinic with a guy who has a Blade 104 and he has control problems, though he gets a TON of spin. I also play with a woman (a bit taller than you) who has an Ultra and her groundstrokes are very solid. Although I'm a Blade 98 user, I certainly wouldn't hate having an Ultra in my bag and I do think it deserves a little more love than it gets.

EDIT: Also should mention that when I played with an Ultra it had multi in it, which may have been the control problem. I think if you use a poly you like, strung over 50, then the Ultra should have no problem. Get the Ultra and tinker with strings.

Thanks for this! Yeah, I definitely feel I have enough control to hit with a more powerful racquet. In the past, I’ve liked the Babolat Pure Drive for easy power, which I used (in a much older version) when I played juniors, but when I hit with it now, I feel it is too light and doesn’t seem as stable. The Ultra, on the other hand, is a bit heavier and the weight distribution seems to give it more stability. I think I probably just need to wrap my head around moving on from the Blade series after so many years lol. It is irrational, but I love my 2015 version Blades so much and feel sad about letting go.

By the way, I also demoed the Ultra with multi, and I wondered as well about whether it would be more controlled with full poly or at least a hybrid set up (which is usually what I opt for). I wish we had more options of strings and tensions to try when demoing because there are just so many variables to consider.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

You’re basically my wife but you’re 3” taller.

My wife was hooked on the 104 v7, when switching away from her Ti.Radical OS 18x19 from high school 2 decades ago that she was grinding into the graphite. I bought her a v5 and v6 104 off the big auction site since they shared the 18x19 pattern with her Radicals thinking she’d like them more but no, that v7 is something special. Sold the v6, she keeps the v5 in her bag though.

The v8 feels stiffer and was not a fan, so we pick up v7 when we can.

We demoed a v4 ultra not too terribly long ago but it’s hard to beat the 104 v7 for her, she hates most everything else. Spin is the name of my wife’s game though. The 104 v7 just amplifies power and spin over her old Radicals, so same game, just even harder to play against now.

If you’re coming from pre-v7 104, since those were 18x19 and are definitely more controlled than v7+ when they switched to 16x19, if you want that extra power and spin, blade 104 is the way to go.

However, if you want more control like the older 18x19 104, the 100” ultra is probably the way to go, though I’d definitely hit up a local pro shop and overlay them just to make sure the ultra is indeed a tighter pattern.

Regarding the v4 ultra, I think v3 left a sh*t stain in the communal mind that’s hard to overcome. I liked the v4 quite a bit and I see here a lot of people like it. Local D1 mens player switched to the v4 ultra 100 day it came out and won a tournament with it the next weekend, it can’t be bad. Local kid probably going to start high school as #1 on boys team as a freshman plays with one, coming from v8 Blade 98 18x20. Anecdotes I know, but examples of local successful players using v4 ultra 100.

Imma throw a wrench in here since there are so many similarities between….demo the 2023 Pure Aero Rafa non-Origin. It’s got power and control in a maneuverable package. While I’m at it, if you like control OS racquets, you ever try Dunlop CX 200 OS? ($100 hard to beat as they liquidate inventory for the next generation)

 

[Ziatennis89]

You’re basically my wife but you’re 3” taller.

My wife was hooked on the 104 v7, when switching away from her Ti.Radical OS 18x19 from high school 2 decades ago that she was grinding into the graphite. I bought her a v5 and v6 104 off the big auction site since they shared the 18x19 pattern with her Radicals thinking she’d like them more but no, that v7 is something special. Sold the v6, she keeps the v5 in her bag though.

The v8 feels stiffer and was not a fan, so we pick up v7 when we can.

We demoed a v4 ultra not too terribly long ago but it’s hard to beat the 104 v7 for her, she hates most everything else. Spin is the name of my wife’s game though. The 104 v7 just amplifies power and spin over her old Radicals, so same game, just even harder to play against now.

If you’re coming from pre-v7 104, since those were 18x19 and are definitely more controlled than v7+ when they switched to 16x19, if you want that extra power and spin, blade 104 is the way to go.

However, if you want more control like the older 18x19 104, the 100” ultra is probably the way to go, though I’d definitely hit up a local pro shop and overlay them just to make sure the ultra is indeed a tighter pattern.

Regarding the v4 ultra, I think v3 left a sh*t stain in the communal mind that’s hard to overcome. I liked the v4 quite a bit and I see here a lot of people like it. Local D1 mens player switched to the v4 ultra 100 day it came out and won a tournament with it the next weekend, it can’t be bad. Local kid probably going to start high school as #1 on boys team as a freshman plays with one, coming from v8 Blade 98 18x20. Anecdotes I know, but examples of local successful players using v4 ultra 100.

Imma throw a wrench in here since there are so many similarities between….demo the 2023 Pure Aero Rafa non-Origin. It’s got power and control in a maneuverable package. While I’m at it, if you like control OS racquets, you ever try Dunlop CX 200 OS? ($100 hard to beat as they liquidate inventory for the next generation)

Thanks! Super helpful. Sounds like your wife and I both love our specific 104s, but all of what you’ve said does make me feel like I should choose the Ultra since it might be closer to what I’m used to (and love). I also appreciate hearing that you do actually know more advanced players with positive Ultra experiences. In my area, I only know one other person off the top of my head who uses one, but they are a 3.0, new to tennis, and definitely not as sensitive as me about racquet feel and specs.

While I had committed to not demoing anymore racquets and just making a decision (lol), out of curiosity I might consider trying out the two racquets you suggest, although I worry that I’ll become increasingly indecisive the more options I add into the mix. In the past, I have had mixed feelings about the pure aero line, but I’ve never actually hit with the Rafa series. And I’ve definitely never tried a Dunlop racquet—you might be the first person ever to suggest one to me!

 

[ChanterRacquet]

The nice thing about the Rafa is it’s the same weight as your 104s, but the stiffness of the Ultra. And I’ve never had more control than with the Rafa, and for what it’s worth, I’ve disliked regular Aero demos in the past. It’s a different beast. And despite chronically recovering from tennis elbow, I’ve managed to not aggravate it playing multi mains/poly crosses hybrids, despite the stiffness of the Rafa. And the Rafa will swing easier than the Ultra.

The CX 200 OS matches your old 104 flex better with the 61 RA and while a few grams heavier, swings just as easy.

 

[AmericanTwist]

What do you like most about your current blade 104? The softness or the extended length? Were you able to serve effectively with the extra length? Was it unwieldy at all? I have one of these and if I were to play with it properly I would need to add a lot of weight to it.

Don't make a snap decision on frames. You may regret it. If you value the softness of the frame you can look at the dunlop cx 200 OS as chanter suggested, but also cx 200 which is medium 64ra flex (much softer than the ultra 100 70ra frame). You can also consider the ultra 100L with 64ra flex but the cx 200 is a great value right now as is the 200 OS. For extended frames you can also look at the exone 98 plus or solinco whiteout and maybe some other ones? I will say with most frames you may want to add weight to give it mass for more stability (and power if your swing speed is the same).

Sorry I don't think you'll ace many people lol but if say you are an aggressive baseliner, I recommend a softer frame - standard or extended your call (or based on options). Softer frames will help generate spin and help you return hard serves. Over time by adding weight you can generate more power. However, an extended frame will help you increase your serve percentage and help you when playing defense. So lots to think about.

There are a lot of different kinds of frames out there. Nail down what you value the most, then second, and third, etc. Then we can help you suggest better. Btw, Dunlop makes great frames. I am playing with the cx 200 tour 18x20 as well as with the wilson ultra pro 18x20 (which is different from the ultra 100 that you are talking about).

 

[Ziatennis89]

What do you like most about your current blade 104? The softness or the extended length? Were you able to serve effectively with the extra length? Was it unwieldy at all? I have one of these and if I were to play with it properly I would need to add a lot of weight to it.

Don't make a snap decision on frames. You may regret it. If you value the softness of the frame you can look at the dunlop cx 200 OS as chanter suggested, but also cx 200 which is medium 64ra flex (much softer than the ultra 100 70ra frame). You can also consider the ultra 100L with 64ra flex but the cx 200 is a great value right now as is the 200 OS. For extended frames you can also look at the exone 98 plus or solinco whiteout and maybe some other ones? I will say with most frames you may want to add weight to give it mass for more stability (and power if your swing speed is the same).

Sorry I don't think you'll ace many people lol but if say you are an aggressive baseliner, I recommend a softer frame - standard or extended your call (or based on options). Softer frames will help generate spin and help you return hard serves. Over time by adding weight you can generate more power. However, an extended frame will help you increase your serve percentage and help you when playing defense. So lots to think about.

There are a lot of different kinds of frames out there. Nail down what you value the most, then second, and third, etc. Then we can help you suggest better. Btw, Dunlop makes great frames. I am playing with the cx 200 tour 18x20 as well as with the wilson ultra pro 18x20 (which is different from the ultra 100 that you are talking about).

My current blade is the 2015 version, which wasn’t extended length. I believe they extended the length in the newer versions, so I haven’t yet played consistently with one yet. Just demoed the v8 with poly strings.

The thing I love/loved about the older 104 I’ve been using since 2015 that originally inspired me to switch from the Babolat Pure Drive (which was an old version from the early 00s when I played juniors) is the balance of power and increased spin but with less stiffness than some other spin-heavy racquets. I would like a racquet that feels the same, which is why I’m now torn between the v8 104 (which I like for its intense spin potential, but feel is less controlled than the older 2015 version) and the Ultra 100 (which feels really similar to the BPD but with more of a controlled power that I feel could be even better controlled with the right string set-up). The other factor I was considering was whether the extended length of the 104 would be a good thing for me or bad. Or maybe just a neutral change with little movement either way. It sounds like you think it would be a good thing, so now I might take a harder look at the 104 again or maybe even the other extended frames you suggest. I dunno—it could be whatever poly strings/tension were in the demo v8 104, but it felt a little like it tweaked my wrist if I didn’t make contact right at the sweet spot if I were reaching for a ball. Not sure if this is due to the extended length of the racquet or not (either the length or just not being adjusted yet), but I do know for sure it felt less comfortable than the older 104s that had the 18x19 string pattern.

It isn’t that I only demoed those 2 racquets, btw. I also demoed the new BPD, head extreme team, and clash 100. I just liked the ultra and 104 best of the racquets I tried, so I was trying to figure out which to choose.

I’m not totally opposed to trying more racquets, and I very well may do so. Perhaps it is worth it to try out the Dunlop CX 200 OS and/or the Pure Aero Rafa and then compare to see if I still want to choose between 104 and Ultra.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

My current blade is the 2015 version, which wasn’t extended length.

All the 104 are extended, 27.5”, even your v5 (2015). That 0.5” is hard to notice though, so I’m not sure it’s anything to worry about.

Racquet Finder

 

[Ziatennis89]

All the 104 are extended, 27.5”, even your v5 (2015). That 0.5” is hard to notice though, so I’m not sure it’s anything to worry about.

Racquet Finder

Oops lol—now I feel silly for not having explicitly compared the lengths of both versions of the 104! Thanks for this clarification.

 

[AmericanTwist]

That blade 104 was extended. I don't think Wilson made a standard 104 version so the one you have was probably chopped half an inch. Figure out if you can play with an extended frame then try to nail down the flex. That blade 104 was 59RA which is a far cry from the Ultra 100 (70ra) that you are also considering. Otherwise, you'll be making a random and hurried decision.