Wilson Ultra Tour (Monfils)

[DJTaurus]

To all of you that have found ultra tour to lack on power why the f don't you strung it at the lows of 19 or 20kg. Due to its denser pattern it won't loose control. Try it with Luxilon 4g 1.25. What impresses me with ultra is despite the small head and 18x20 it easily generates spin.

 

[Automatix]

I didn't mean to imply he was using this or that, just that the options at the start of his career were stiffer unless they were prostock.

AFAIK the consensus was he was using PSC6.1 throughout most of his career.

 

[Anton]

Isn't his racquet much more flexible than 69 RA or am I mistaken?

String it up like a 100 times and you'll be in the ballpark. Delpo broke his in so well he had problem using fresh ones.

Here is a story for you - right before RF97 came out, to warm up for it I picked up a well used 6.1 Classic for $40 from a tennis strore bin. I felt a lot more flex in that compared to RF97 that had 67RA on paper.

 

[moon shot]

AFAIK the consensus was he was using PSC6.1 throughout most of his career.

I found the posts if that's helpful. It sounds like by what Prostringing wrote at the time it was not a classic in 2013, and in 2016 it didn't feel the same, don't know if that is due to being new or actually different.

hope it helps, I don't really know what the consensus is.

Prostringing Aug 26, 2013 - Sep 28, 2013 - Jun 19, 2016

 

[Tommy Haas]

String it up like a 100 times and you'll be in the ballpark. Delpo broke his in so well he had problem using fresh ones.

He also hits 130+ MPH serves and 100+ MPH forehands. That would break any frame in pretty well. Add to that a fresh string job before every match and practice session and that 69RA drops to probably low 60s.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Anyone compare this stick to the TC95 or TC97 18x20 yet?

 

[YellowFedBetter]

I found the posts if that's helpful. It sounds like by what Prostringing wrote at the time it was not a classic in 2013, and in 2016 it didn't feel the same, don't know if that is due to being new or actually different.

hope it helps, I don't really know what the consensus is.

Prostringing Aug 26, 2013 - Sep 28, 2013 - Jun 19, 2016

How similar would the 2017 Pure Strike 18x20 and any of Wilson's current frames play compared to his?

 

[moon shot]

How similar would the 2017 Pure Strike 18x20 and any of Wilson's current frames play compared to his?

I haven't played the pure strike. As far as wilson frames currently on sale the 25th Anniversary 6.1 95 and then a 2017 Six.One 18x20

 

[YellowFedBetter]

I haven't played the pure strike. As far as wilson frames currently on sale the 25th Anniversary 6.1 95 and then a 2017 Six.One 18x20

What about the other 18x20 frames like the new Ultra Tour and blades and the Head GSP?

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Delpo still uses a 27 1/2" longbody doesn't he? That would also lower the flex no doubt.

 

[SamBruin7]

Delpo still uses a 27 1/2" longbody doesn't he? That would also lower the flex no doubt.

No, I think he uses a standard K6.1 18x20. Only ones to use the extended 6.1 were Mardy Fish and the Bryan Bros I think.

 

[SafinSucks]

Hello. Played with them few times. play a lot like the technifibre Ltd version. The H19 I used to play with had a more arm friendly feel, but for sure the same mold.

 

[ynb]

I've been hitting with a few capped TGT 307.2 for a couple of years, and decided to buy an Ultra Tour, because why not owning an H19.

First, I was concerned with grip size, because I replace the synthetic grip with a leather 0.5mm calfskin grip, and some Wilson frames have felt too thick in the past. Fortunately, the grip size is pretty comparable to Head pallets.

I also added lead on the whole area covered by the bumper, bilaterally, of course (around 6 grams). The stick came in at 308 grams, and it's now sitting at 345 with the leather grip, strung with 1.25mm, with a Tourna Tac, and a Sampras dampener. Forgot to run it through the balance beam. I was basically playing it by feel, and these mods felt perfect.

Power is more than sufficient with alu power spin at 50 lbs, and, as other have stated, spin is better than, for example, the blade 18x20. I do get more power, "pop", and spin with my pro stock radicals, but they only feel good with a couple of strings, one of them Cyclone and the other, Solinco Revolution.

With the Ultra, I enjoyed being able to rip my groundstrokes and drive through the ball without being too concerned about over-hitting. Hitting that sweet spot feels great, and it isn't really much smaller than my 307.2. Very approachable racquet to hit with. The only issue I can think of is in terms of power with people stringing it too high, and players used to more loopy trajectories. This racquet plays pretty similar to my pro stocks, just more comfortable, and some 20%(?) less power, which is OK.

I did break my first string job after 2 hours of play, which is rare (damn alu spin). I got it restrung with Cyclone 1.25mm and it felt pretty similar. I've played with it for around 7 hours, and I'm learning to really appreciate the feel and freedom to swing hard. Now I need to get my serve a little more dialed, and I think I might switch to this one.

My .02. Thanks everybody for all the info you've provided. I'll post a few photos soon if anybody is interested. I'm a Norcal 4.5 and was lucky enough to beat my 5.0 buddy playing with this stick for the very first time. Maybe I was just excited about the racquet. It did suck to break strings soon and pause the match for a 30 minute restringing break.


ynb

 

[Tommy Haas]

Hello. Played with them few times. play a lot like the technifibre Ltd version. The H19 I used to play with had a more arm friendly feel, but for sure the same mold.

*Thomas Johansson AO 2002*

Do you still have the H19 and have you hit with the new Ultra Tour yet? They're supposed to be close in feel.

 

[heartattack]

any TENSION suggestions for gut main and poly cross on UT? just ordered KLIP legend 1.25 gut.

 

[SafinSucks]

*Thomas Johansson AO 2002*
Do you still have the H19 and have you hit with the new Ultra Tour yet? They're supposed to be close in feel.

Hello Tommy Haas.
I don't have the H19 anymore, but I did try the new Ultra Tour, and you are right, my impression was that they are close in feel. It was a short trial for me but I can definitely recommend it.

 

[Imago]

any TENSION suggestions for gut main and poly cross on UT? just ordered KLIP legend 1.25 gut.

Depends on the stringing machine you are going to string on. Measure the final tension of a freshly strung racket and set correspondingly the reference tension so that your final tension for the gut mains is 25. You will need a stringmeter to do so.

 

[pfrischmann]

To all of you that have found ultra tour to lack on power why the f don't you strung it at the lows of 19 or 20kg. Due to its denser pattern it won't loose control. Try it with Luxilon 4g 1.25. What impresses me with ultra is despite the small head and 18x20 it easily generates spin.

Most times it's a demo. I was thinking something similar. Tourbite at 48 would probably be great.

 

[heartattack]

Thanks @Imago. Guess I have to wait next week to string my UT racquet. Such a lousy UPS service here in Alberta!

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Tell that to Delpo! He uses an extended frame and he is 6'6"

No, I think he uses a standard K6.1 18x20. Only ones to use the extended 6.1 were Mardy Fish and the Bryan Bros I think.

Actually it's been referenced several times over the years on these boards that he uses an extended racquet.

 

[moon shot]

What about the other 18x20 frames like the new Ultra Tour and blades and the Head GSP?

If you are asking about Delpo's personal frame I can only pass on what others have said, my previous post was about the extent of that.

Actually it's been referenced several times over the years on these boards that he uses an extended racquet.

I feel like a groupie to keep repeating his handle but prostringing said every time he strung for del Potro it has been standard length.

It does look longer with his high overgrip so I can see where that might come from.

 

[DJ-]

This thread needs the fukky touch ;-)

 

[Lucas2015]

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...ets-and-possible-change-spanish.474784/page-8

 

[dgoran]

This thread needs the fukky touch ;-)

Fukky yeah!

 

[dgoran]

Fukky yeah!

Is it appropriate to say I feel for sushi every time I watch fukky reviews

 

[JGads]

First hit with the Ultra Tour today. All I can say is, thank you Wilson. This stick is a gem.

 

[zalive]

With the Ultra, I enjoyed being able to rip my groundstrokes and drive through the ball without being too concerned about over-hitting. Hitting that sweet spot feels great, and it isn't really much smaller than my 307.2. Very approachable racquet to hit with. The only issue I can think of is in terms of power with people stringing it too high, and players used to more loopy trajectories. This racquet plays pretty similar to my pro stocks, just more comfortable, and some 20%(?) less power, which is OK.

Were specs of UT and pro stock H19 you compare it to otherwise similar?

 

[jmacdaununder2]

If you are asking about Delpo's personal frame I can only pass on what others have said, my previous post was about the extent of that.


I feel like a groupie to keep repeating his handle but prostringing said every time he strung for del Potro it has been standard length.

It does look longer with his high overgrip so I can see where that might come from.

If Prostringing said so it must be true: I sit corrected!

 

[ynb]

Were specs of UT and pro stock H19 you compare it to otherwise similar?

I'm not sure I understand, but let me say that the UT feels and plays like a Prestige, probably even pre YT IG. I might be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure it's a true 97 Sq in, as opposed to the actual 95 Sq in on a Prestige MP, which I think makes everything a little easier.

Compared to my TGT 307.2s, and considering I have both models customized to the same weight and balance, it plays softer, same trajectory, more control (this is so dependent on string/tension), and it rewards me more for taking full strokes.

They are both incredibly solid sticks. It's rather hard to get the 307.2 to feel "soft", but my impression is that you can throw any strings in the UT and it will be fine.

I have become a little traumatized with the 307.2, given how uncomfortable it feels with most strings. This is a breath of fresh air.

 

[Tommy Haas]

I'm not sure I understand, but let me say that the UT feels and plays like a Prestige, probably even pre YT IG. I might be wrong here, but I'm pretty sure it's a true 97 Sq in, as opposed to the actual 95 Sq in on a Prestige MP, which I think makes everything a little easier.

Compared to my TGT 307.2s, and considering I have both models customized to the same weight and balance, it plays softer, same trajectory, more control (this is so dependent on string/tension), and it rewards me more for taking full strokes.

They are both incredibly solid sticks. It's rather hard to get the 307.2 to feel "soft", but my impression is that you can throw any strings in the UT and it will be fine.

I have become a little traumatized with the 307.2, given how uncomfortable it feels with most strings. This is a breath of fresh air.

What are your top three pro stock frame picks if you had the choice? How about retail stocks? Top three in each category. Wondering where you place the H19 and UT or if they wouldn't even make the cut.

 

[JOSHL]

Would anyone consider this frame to be--if the pro staff 97 and blade 18x20 had a baby?

 

[skuludo]

This thread needs the fukky touch ;-)

The rep in the Fukky video says Monfils wanted a more powerful sweet spot in the center when he asked Wilson for this racket. The narrower throat achieves helps in improving power in the middle with a small sweet spot. As a result, this design gives up torsional stability. When Fukky missed the sweet spot he experienced a drop in power. He found the racket to be surprisingly powerful when he hit the sweet spot. He said a flatter swing motion is the best way to accessing this power, and he could feel the racket just crush the ball without fear of hitting long. This racket plays well when he hit the sweet spot and if he misses that well better luck next time.

This racket is just a last minute addition to the new Ultra line. Because Monfils like the colors of the new Ultra line, Wilson just stuffed it in the current Ultra line as Ultra Tour. If you are wonder how this racket fits with the slogan "I AM POWERFUL", just hit the ball in the middle to feel the slight increase in power (As explained by the rep).

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Would anyone consider this frame to be--if the pro staff 97 and blade 18x20 had a baby?

Well... I think if those two got together... firstly the baby would have brown colour at the 3 & 9 o'clock... possibly different mould... some Counterveil lipo... Not sure...

What may have gone on... is that some Wilson character came out of the shadows and seduced a Head iPrestige... or some allusive Head Pro Stock with loose morals...

 

[skuludo]

Would anyone consider this frame to be--if the pro staff 97 and blade 18x20 had a baby?

No. Totally different racket with no relation to the Blade 18x20 and Pro Staff 97. If going by Fukky video's logic it's a more powerful Head Pro Tour 630 with the same characteristics, which is a small hot sweet spot.

 

[Tommy Haas]

The rep in the Fukky video says Monfils wanted a more powerful sweet spot in the center when he asked Wilson for this racket. The narrower throat achieves helps in improving power in the middle with a small sweet spot. As a result, this design gives up torsional stability. When he missed the sweet spot he experienced a drop in power. He found the racket to be surprisingly powerful when he hit the sweet spot. He said a flatter swing motion is the best way to accessing this power, and he could feel the racket just crush the ball. This racket plays well when he hit the sweet spot and if he misses that well better luck next time.

This racket is just a last minute addition to the new Ultra line. Because Monfils like the colors of the new Ultra line, Wilson just stuffed it in the current Ultra line as Ultra Tour. If you are wonder how this racket fits with the slogan "I AM POWERFUL", just hit the ball in the middle to feel the slight increase in power (As explained by the rep).

Thanks for the translation. I'm even more interested in the Ultra Tour now because I like hitting flat forehand drives like Fed and Delpo. My follow through is often across my body than over my shoulder. I don't hit old school flat where there's very little ball rotation, but with a low trajectory using spin to keep the ball in and deep. Also, if I wanted to increase torsional stability from the narrow throat design, would it be as simple as adding some lead to 3 and 9 o'clock?

 

[ynb]

What are your top three pro stock frame picks if you had the choice? How about retail stocks? Top three in each category. Wondering where you place the H19 and UT or if they wouldn't even make the cut.

I've purchased and sold a number of pro stock frames, but I stuck to the TGT 307.2 because I like the fact that I can CAP it (I probably bought 80% of the world's supplies of black Radical CAP grommets), it's good on control, low trajectory, great "pop", more "alive" than, for instance, a 16x19 blade. It takes some time to get used to the feel, though. I also kept a pair of TGT 301.2, which play great in a slightly more head light balance due to the larger size. Third place would be TGT 260.5 or 260.2. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that stick. Just hard to find. I've never owned a pro stock prestige.

Retail, I would say a first place tie between the UT and the YT Radical MP, which is a 98 sq in 18x20, customized to around 350 grams strung, and third place for a Yonex Dr maybe?

Perhaps the UT is the offspring of the YT Radical MP and the iPrestige MP? I wouldn't really relate it to any Wilson. Doesn't feel like a Wilson.

ynb

 

[Tommy Haas]

No. Totally different racket with no relation to the Blade 18x20 and Pro Staff 97. If going by Fukky video's logic it's a more powerful Head Pro Tour 630 with the same characteristics, which is a small hot sweet spot.

What modifications can I make to open up the sweet spot with the Ultra Tour? I need suggestions to try day one and I don't use poly, but I'm open to everything else. How about string tension on manual stringing machines using a multi? I'd hate to blow an expensive string job. It costs $30 to string my PK5G with Babolat Xcel at the upper end of the tension range. That setup may not work well with the Ultra Tour.

 

[skuludo]

Thanks for the translation. I'm even more interested in the Ultra Tour now because I like hitting flat forehand drives like Fed and Delpo. My follow through is often across my body than over my shoulder. I don't hit old school flat where there's very little ball rotation, but with a low trajectory using spin to keep the ball in and deep. Also, if I wanted to increase torsional stability from the narrow throat design, would it be as simple as adding some lead to 3 and 9 o'clock?

Yes it is that simple. The lead will help a bit. If you want something more stable go with Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour 18x20.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

Yes it is that simple. The lead will help a bit. If you want something more stable go with Srixon Revo CX 2.0 Tour 18x20.

Very interesting and good to know... looking forward to the reviews and opinions of people that try the Srixon... better price too... The feel will be the big determining factor for me...

 

[skuludo]

What modifications can I make to open up the sweet spot with the Ultra Tour? I need suggestions to try day one and I don't use poly, but I'm open to everything else. How about string tension on manual stringing machines using a multi? I'd hate to blow an expensive string job. It costs $30 to get my racquets strung with Babolat Xcel at the upper end of the tension range for PK5G.

Not much you can do to open the sweet spot. You can put natural gut and use POJIEs to open it up some more. This isn't the racket for you if you need an even larger sweet spot after those modifications. Srixon has more options if you need some assistance in terms of extra power and forgiveness. You may find the Revo CX 2.0 to still feel acceptable despite the RA rating.

 

[Tommy Haas]

Not much you can do to open the sweet spot. You can put natural gut and use POJIEs to open it up some more. This isn't the racket for you if you need a larger sweet spot. Srixon has more options if you need some assistance in terms of extra power and forgiveness.

What is POJIE? How big is the Ultra Tour's sweet spot? I'm usually pretty consistent and can hit the center of the stringbed. The wear pattern is about the size of 1 1/2 tennis balls in circumference. Or is the sweet spot exactly the size of a tennis ball and there's no margin for error.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

What modifications can I make to open up the sweet spot with the Ultra Tour? I need suggestions to try day one and I don't use poly, but I'm open to everything else. How about string tension on manual stringing machines using a multi? I'd hate to blow an expensive string job. It costs $30 to string my PK5G with Babolat Xcel at the upper end of the tension range. That setup may not work well with the Ultra Tour.

If I had the racquet in my possession I would add weight at the 3,9 and 12 o'clock positions, thereby increasing torsional stability, and broadening and elongating the sweet spot. Then I would balance the weight added to the head with weight at the handle (both at 7" from butt cap and at the butt cap - or just a leather grip or both... depending how much weight is needed).

 

[skuludo]

What is POJIE? How big is the Ultra Tour's sweet spot? I'm usually pretty consistent and can hit the center of the stringbed. The wear pattern is about the size of 1 1/2 tennis balls in circumference. Or is the sweet spot exactly the size of a tennis ball and there's no margin for error.

http://www.tennisthis.com/accessories/string-advantage-pojie-review/

You should be fine. The sweet spot should be adequate in size for you if you have flattish swings.

 

[Tommy Haas]

http://www.tennisthis.com/accessories/string-advantage-pojie-review/

You should be fine. The sweet spot should be adequate in size for you if you have flattish swings.

It looks very interesting, but it's not carried here at TW. Where's the cheapest place to buy it? I see it going for $17.70 in the rain forest. What about leather power pads? It's not as high tech and probably not as effective, but it wouldn't add all that extra weigh to 6 o'clock, or leather powers pads won't make enough of a difference? I've never used them before and thought they were more for shock dampening than increasing power. Those things only increase the main string length by a few millimeters.

 

[Tommy Haas]

If I had the racquet in my possession I would add weight at the 3,9 and 12 o'clock positions, thereby increasing torsional stability, and broadening and elongating the sweet spot. Then I would balance the weight added to the head with weight at the handle (both at 7" from butt cap and at the butt cap - or just a leather grip or both... depending how much weight is needed).

I hate lead, especially if it's near my hand, even if it's under the grip, so I'll have to use leather instead. Is the Ultra Tour soft enough where leather and a typical overgrip wouldn't feel too harsh? Is there such thing as a soft feeling leather grip? I guess if I were to go for the soft leather route, I might as well use the Wilson Shock Shield, especially since I already have a package, but I also have a Babolat brown leather grip too. It seems whichever route I go, I'll need to buy one grip size smaller to compensate.

 

[skuludo]

It looks very interesting, but it's not carried here at TW. Where's the cheapest place to buy it? I see it going for $17.70 in the rain forest.

What about if I just used some leather power pads? Not as high tech and probably not as effective, but it wouldn't add all that extra weigh to 6 o'clock.

Leather power pads do not serve the same function as the Pojie string extenders. BTW Pojies are good for only about five string jobs. Then you need to buy more. Just think of it as added cost to your string job. You can buy a bucket with 80 pieces for $154.95. The Ultra Tour is light to begin with so it should be no problem with four Pojie string extenders there.

 

[skuludo]

I hate lead, especially if it's near my hand, even if it's under the grip, so I'll have to use leather instead. Is the Ultra Tour soft enough where leather and a typical overgrip wouldn't feel too harsh? Is there such thing as a soft feeling leather grip? I guess if I were to go for the soft leather route, I might as well use the Wilson Shock Shield, especially since I already have a package, but I also have a Babolat brown leather grip too. It seems whichever route I go, I'll need to buy one grip size smaller to compensate.

The lightest I could make my Ultra Tour using a combination of Shocktec Gel and Shocktec Air2Gel with a 30%/70% split, overgrip, and head guard tape was 360 grams with a 31.5 cm balance/ 9 points head light. After adding dampeners it became 366 grams/ 12.85 oz with 31.5 cm balance / 9 points head light. You could use a combination of Shock Tape (Sorbothane) and Wilson Shock Shield with a 30%/70% split. This will add around 40 to 50 grams of weight in the handle.

The 30% coverage of Shocktec Gel was just enough to cover my right hand on the grip.

I got that weight with out any lead tape.

 

[Classic-TXP-IG MID]

I hate lead, especially if it's near my hand, even if it's under the grip, so I'll have to use leather instead. Is the Ultra Tour soft enough where leather and a typical overgrip wouldn't feel too harsh? Is there such thing as a soft feeling leather grip? I guess if I were to go for the soft leather route, I might as well use the Wilson Shock Shield, especially since I already have a package, but I also have a Babolat brown leather grip too. It seems whichever route I go, I'll need to buy one grip size smaller to compensate.

I don't use lead on the head, I use tungsten tape... if I use lead on the grip I place the lead onto the pallet and then the leather on that and then an overgrip, so the lead doesn't come into contact with skin...

 

[JGads]

Would anyone consider this frame to be--if the pro staff 97 and blade 18x20 had a baby?

Blades and the new Pro Staff are so much stiffer. This stick does not feel like a Wilson. The comp is a Head Pro Tour or a Tec 315 limited.

Speaking to questions of torsional stability, I haven't found a problem here at all. Twistweight is good. I only have lead at the top of the grip and at 12 so far and it seems well tuned for me.

 

[skuludo]

Blades and the new Pro Staff are so much stiffer. This stick does not feel like a Wilson. The comp is a Head Pro Tour or a Tec 315 limited.

Speaking to questions of torsional stability, I haven't found a problem here at all. Twistweight is good. I only have lead at the top of the grip and at 12 so far and it seems well tuned for me.

The torsional stability could be the explanation to the drop in power on mishits. You should be able to see how much the racket bends during high speed video. You may not feel the twist, but it still occurs.