Wilson Ultra Tour (Monfils)

[pfrischmann]

BTW... You can add me to the list of people that would like to see a 16x19 version come out in the near future.

I do have a question. Are there any open pattern fans out there that switched to the Ultra Tour and then changed their minds after the honeymoon wore off? If so, why?

I go back and forth about an APD and the UT. My strokes were built around top-spin and as a lefty, my biggest weapons are my slice and Kick serve. I have a pretty good inside out forehand as well.
These are all more dangerous with the APD, I can also flick more extreme angle winners with the APD..My inner Rafa kinda comes out....which isn't all good. I can get a little lazy with my strokes and footwork as it's so easy to hit a good ball with this style of stick. I can also get the ball up and down much quicker. I tend to use tourbite on this stick. I struggle with feel when I get inside the court with this type of stick. They have too much of a trampoline effect. Drop-shots and angle volleys are much harder for me to control. However, I get more pop on my groundies and serve.

The UT I had to use Gut/Poly. It feels terrible with full poly to me. The gut gives me a little more depth and a lot more feel. However, I have to be more deliberate with my shots. Meaning I have to really cut up on the ball if a want top-spin as it gives me nothing for free. volleys and half volleys are much easier to control and there is virtually no trampoline (Boing!!) effect. I feel I have to work harder with the UT and I have to play a little more traditional tennis (no cross court buggy whip forehands into the service box corner) which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I used to have a great up the line FH buggy whip i'd use against short slices. I cannot get the ball up and down fast enough with the UT, it lands about 3 feet deep. On the up-side with the UT, my general serve and volley game is much more consistant.

I find slices really good with the UT.. FWIW.

Honestly, I just haven't decided which kind of player I am yet.

 

[o0lunatik]

@pfrischmann,

Keep both. Play with the one with counters your opponent the best. That's how I use my three fav frames.

 

[TennisHound]

I go back and forth about an APD and the UT. My strokes were built around top-spin and as a lefty, my biggest weapons are my slice and Kick serve. I have a pretty good inside out forehand as well.
These are all more dangerous with the APD, I can also flick more extreme angle winners with the APD..My inner Rafa kinda comes out....which isn't all good. I can get a little lazy with my strokes and footwork as it's so easy to hit a good ball with this style of stick. I can also get the ball up and down much quicker. I tend to use tourbite on this stick. I struggle with feel when I get inside the court with this type of stick. They have too much of a trampoline effect. Drop-shots and angle volleys are much harder for me to control. However, I get more pop on my groundies and serve.

The UT I had to use Gut/Poly. It feels terrible with full poly to me. The gut gives me a little more depth and a lot more feel. However, I have to be more deliberate with my shots. Meaning I have to really cut up on the ball if a want top-spin as it gives me nothing for free. volleys and half volleys are much easier to control and there is virtually no trampoline (Boing!!) effect. I feel I have to work harder with the UT and I have to play a little more traditional tennis (no cross court buggy whip forehands into the service box corner) which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I used to have a great up the line FH buggy whip i'd use against short slices. I cannot get the ball up and down fast enough with the UT, it lands about 3 feet deep. On the up-side with the UT, my general serve and volley game is much more consistant.

I find slices really good with the UT.. FWIW.

Honestly, I just haven't decided which kind of player I am yet.

I guess the question is, Which one can you win with easier? An APD with some lead is an awesome weapon. The Ultra with some lead, not so much. The Ultra is not necessarily the best racquet in its class (IMO), however it just may be the lowest powered. The 2015 Blade is better stock, as is the Head IG Prestige MP, and I'm sure there are some Radicals that would do just as good or not better, since it has to be modified. It is a cool racquet, but not the best performing in its class. I haven't tried the Dunlop Srixon Revo CX2.0 Tour 18x20, but the reviews sound like it also may be better than the Ultra as well.

 

[TennisHound]

Double post

 

[pfrischmann]

I guess the question is, Which one can you win with easier? An APD with some lead is an awesome weapon. The Ultra with some lead, not so much. The Ultra is not necessarily the best racquet in its class (IMO), however it just may be the lowest powered. The 2015 Blade is better stock, as is the Head IG Prestige MP, and I'm sure there are some Radicals that would do just as good or not better, since it has to be modified. It is a cool racquet, but not the best performing in its class.

Agree on picking the one I win the most with. Between kids activities and the weather this time of year, it's too hard to tell. I haven't gotten enough play time. I really do not like the Blades. I know I'm in the minority as I see them everywhere, usually in the hands of skilled players. My favorite is the black and white blade 2012 in 18/20. I find them clubby in general. I like the original PS-97 better. I'd like to try an IG prestige MP. It's been a long time since I've seen one of those.

 

[Anton]

It's a Liquidmetal Radical mp, with slightly less pop. Heck, it's a Microgel Radical mp with a leather grip.

You can get those frames for a third of the price of the Wilson.

I disagree, LM Radical, while a similar style frame is nowhere near as smooth feeling as Ultra Tour, it also plays flatter.

 

[Anton]

It's a Liquidmetal Radical mp, with slightly less pop. Heck, it's a Microgel Radical mp with a leather grip.

You can get those frames for a third of the price of the Wilson.

I disagree, LM Radical, while similar is not nearly as smooth feeling as Ultra Tour, it also plays flatter. MG Rad feels softer but also has way softer loop and is inferior playing as far as I'm concerned.

 

[SamBruin7]

The reissue MG Radical is actually stiffer than the Ultra Tour. I have all 3, the LM, MG, and UT so I know. The Ultra Tour is way more solid feeling, more plush, yet still has slightly more pop than all of them. The feel is almost the same as the old Head PT 280 and Bumblebee that had Twaron which Wilson obviously tried to copy.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

I go back and forth about an APD and the UT. My strokes were built around top-spin and as a lefty, my biggest weapons are my slice and Kick serve. I have a pretty good inside out forehand as well.
These are all more dangerous with the APD, I can also flick more extreme angle winners with the APD..My inner Rafa kinda comes out....which isn't all good. I can get a little lazy with my strokes and footwork as it's so easy to hit a good ball with this style of stick. I can also get the ball up and down much quicker. I tend to use tourbite on this stick. I struggle with feel when I get inside the court with this type of stick. They have too much of a trampoline effect. Drop-shots and angle volleys are much harder for me to control. However, I get more pop on my groundies and serve.

The UT I had to use Gut/Poly. It feels terrible with full poly to me. The gut gives me a little more depth and a lot more feel. However, I have to be more deliberate with my shots. Meaning I have to really cut up on the ball if a want top-spin as it gives me nothing for free. volleys and half volleys are much easier to control and there is virtually no trampoline (Boing!!) effect. I feel I have to work harder with the UT and I have to play a little more traditional tennis (no cross court buggy whip forehands into the service box corner) which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I used to have a great up the line FH buggy whip i'd use against short slices. I cannot get the ball up and down fast enough with the UT, it lands about 3 feet deep. On the up-side with the UT, my general serve and volley game is much more consistant.

I find slices really good with the UT.. FWIW.

Honestly, I just haven't decided which kind of player I am yet.

What happens when you play with something somewhat in between, like say Pure Strike? Could be the worst of both worlds, I know - just curious. I'm pretty much in the same boat as I'm also a lefty who tries to serve 'can openers' and 'Walter Mittys' the Nadal forehand; what lefty worth his salt doesn't? My lightly modded 28" Princes are proving harder and harder for me to use in my mid 50s, but the swing weight and leverage make more user friendly racquets feel anemic. The Pure Drive Tour + actually feels relatively light, user friendly, and manoeuvrable lol, but I can't handle the stiffness. (I'm beginning to realise I'm in a dark place...) My current thoughts are extending an Ultra Tour to 28", as I like the RA - stiff enough to transmit power, particularly on serve re hoop flex, but not too stiff for my arm; or maybe the SV98+. Unfortunately the latter hasn't shown up in my part of the world, so no demo possibilities. (Angell's are another possibility, as they have length options.)

 

[DonDiego]

The reissue MG Radical is actually stiffer than the Ultra Tour. I have all 3, the LM, MG, and UT so I know. The Ultra Tour is way more solid feeling, more plush, yet still has slightly more pop than all of them. The feel is almost the same as the old Head PT 280 and Bumblebee that had Twaron which Wilson obviously tried to copy.

Sam, can you tell me if the Ultra Tour has a bigger head than the Radicals, and also a less dense string bed? Thanks!

 

[DanS]

Sam, can you tell me if the Ultra Tour has a bigger head than the Radicals, and also a less dense string bed? Thanks!

I've never owned a radical, however I can tell you my UT has almost the identical head size and shape as my Blade 98 if that helps at all. In fact as I look at them it may be just a tad bigger!

 

[DonDiego]

I've never owned a radical, however I can tell you my UT has almost the identical head size and shape as my Blade 98 if that helps at all. In fact as I look at them it may be just a tad bigger!

Yes it helps, thanks. I was hoping the UT was the same shape as the Blade, which is a bit bigger than the Radical. So the UT would be a "true" 97 inch, as advertised, whereas the radical is a "false" 98, and closer to a 95.

 

[skuludo]

Sam, can you tell me if the Ultra Tour has a bigger head than the Radicals, and also a less dense string bed? Thanks!

Did you know that the Head Prestige MP and Radical MP can use its respective grommets interchangeably?
That should tell you its head size. Also, check out the specs for the Head Graphene Touch Prestige MP and the Head Graphene XT Prestige MP. From there you should be able to draw your own conclusion regarding the head size.

 

[DonDiego]

I pulled the trigger. Wilson is so stupid to price these 250$US. At 200$ I would have bought a pair, but now I'll keep my Radicals as backups.

 

[SamBruin7]

Sam, can you tell me if the Ultra Tour has a bigger head than the Radicals, and also a less dense string bed? Thanks!

Almost exactly the same shape and size and the string pattern is the same too. I have a 2015 Blade also and the Blade is bigger in that it has a longer head.

 

[DonDiego]

I should receive it by Thursday. I will compare it side to side with my rads. I always thought if the Rad mp could be a real 98 inch with just a little less dense pattern, it would be perfect. I also felt the Blade 98 head size and string spacing was perfect, but the balance was too head heavy. So if the Ultra Tour can be a more head light Blade, I'll be happy.

 

[DanS]

I should receive it by Thursday. I will compare it side to side with my rads. I always thought if the Rad mp could be a real 98 inch with just a little less dense pattern, it would be perfect. I also felt the Blade 98 head size and string spacing was perfect, but the balance was too head heavy. So if the Ultra Tour can be a more head light Blade, I'll be happy.

Mine is WAY more head light. Stock it was almost 11 points HL. Now with strung and weighted it's a little over 8.

 

[El_Yotamo]

The other day I got an nBlade 98, and I have to say, I feel like this is the racquet that the H19 and consequently the UT are based on. After all, the original nBlade 98 was meant to challenge the Prestige MP so it'd make sense that the H19, which is supposed to challenge the pro-stock prestige/PT57s would be based on it. Anyhow, it's a very beautiful frame and with enough luck I'll be hitting with it today.

 

[pfrischmann]

What happens when you play with something somewhat in between, like say Pure Strike? Could be the worst of both worlds, I know - just curious. I'm pretty much in the same boat as I'm also a lefty who tries to serve 'can openers' and 'Walter Mittys' the Nadal forehand; what lefty worth his salt doesn't? My lightly modded 28" Princes are proving harder and harder for me to use in my mid 50s, but the swing weight and leverage make more user friendly racquets feel anemic. The Pure Drive Tour + actually feels relatively light, user friendly, and manoeuvrable lol, but I can't handle the stiffness. (I'm beginning to realise I'm in a dark place...) My current thoughts are extending an Ultra Tour to 28", as I like the RA - stiff enough to transmit power, particularly on serve re hoop flex, but not too stiff for my arm; or maybe the SV98+. Unfortunately the latter hasn't shown up in my part of the world, so no demo possibilities. (Angell's are another possibility, as they have length options.)

This might be a long answer
When I came back from shoulder surgery I played with the Pure strike 16X19. It is a really powerful racquet. My flat serve was laughably huge as was my forehand. It was very stable for its weight. My problem with it was the sweet spot is a little high, like a lot of the new Babolats and it's power is so great, I had to exaggerate my upswing to keep the ball in the court. With racquets this powerful I have to put a lot of underspin on my volleys or they just fly. In doubles, thats not always easy. I will never be accused of having Mcenroe hands, a stick with this much trampoline effect makes volleying to a target hard. FWIW, I find you have to use a gut/poly mix with these stiffer racquets or start your poly tension at 45-48lbs to keep the bed soft. If I was only playing singles, the Pure strike would be a good choice. My first doubles match back, I got so frustrated with the lack of touch, I put it in the back and pulled out an APD I hadn't played with in 6 months. The APD's sweet spot is in the middle and it is less powerful. I played much better.

I played with both the UT and the PS16X19 at the same time. I originally picked the PS because of its raw power and WOW factor. It has a lot!. I just couldn't control it enough.
I have no problem generating power but need help with touch.


I've played with a few Angells as well. First, they are very well made and Paul Angell is awesome! I find the flex of the TC-100 unusual. It just freaked me out. The whole racquet flexes or at least that's what it feels like. It reminded me of bending a plastic spoon back, It has a sling shot effect but its the whole racquet. This gives it better feel than the typical 100 incher and less trampoline effect "boing". but I couldn't get used to it's unique feel. It was like having my shoes on the wrong feet. The 97 is a cool racquet. It flexes more like i'd expect and has a thin beam for touch. I just felt I needed a little more pop on my shot.

 

[SamBruin7]

The other day I got an nBlade 98, and I have to say, I feel like this is the racquet that the H19 and consequently the UT are based on. After all, the original nBlade 98 was meant to challenge the Prestige MP so it'd make sense that the H19, which is supposed to challenge the pro-stock prestige/PT57s would be based on it. Anyhow, it's a very beautiful frame and with enough luck I'll be hitting with it today.

No, the H19 and UT are Wilson's copy of the Pro Tour 280 and PT57A. The Blade is more similar to Head's Radical line but it's unique in that it's a true 98" and the string pattern is more open.

 

[moon shot]

No, the H19 and UT are Wilson's copy of the Pro Tour 280 and PT57A. The Blade is more similar to Head's Radical line but it's unique in that it's a true 98" and the string pattern is more open.

Hm, I hadn’t thought before about when the blade came out. It is possibly what inspired head to change the beam shape of the Radical for the youtek and IG line. The h22 would match up to Ti.Radical through Microgel. The H19 would match up with PT or RT 280 up to I.Prestige.

 

[mad dog1]

It's a Liquidmetal Radical mp, with slightly less pop. Heck, it's a Microgel Radical mp with a leather grip.

You can get those frames for a third of the price of the Wilson.

I disagree, LM Radical, while a similar style frame is nowhere near as smooth feeling as Ultra Tour, it also plays flatter.

Anton is correct, the radical is not as buttery as the ultra tour.

 

[TennisHound]

No, the H19 and UT are Wilson's copy of the Pro Tour 280 and PT57A. The Blade is more similar to Head's Radical line but it's unique in that it's a true 98" and the string pattern is more open.

True ish, more of a pious know-it-all reply, than anything else.

 

[El_Yotamo]

No, the H19 and UT are Wilson's copy of the Pro Tour 280 and PT57A. The Blade is more similar to Head's Radical line but it's unique in that it's a true 98" and the string pattern is more open.

Well to be fair the UT also plays rather similarly to Radicals from the nBlade's time. I think the nBlade 98 plays very similarly to my LM Radical MP, FXP Prestige MP, and Dunlop AeroGel 4D 300 Tours so I doubt it wouldn't play similarly to the UT.

I'd also like to point out that I did indeed say that the H19 and UT are an attempt to compete with PT57s and I think that the nBlade 98 fits that bill as well. Consider that in 2006 the LM Radical wasn't far off from the LM Prestige if they were to be put to a similar spec, which is what I've done with all my sticks. In case you care, that spec is 360 g, 32.4 cm, 350 kg*cm^2.

 

[SamBruin7]

True ish, more of a pious know-it-all reply, than anything else.

Whatever. I'm just speaking from actual experience since I have the Blade, UT, PT57A. The Blade is not like the UT at all. Only thing they share is a 18/20 string pattern and a similar head shape.

 

[WYK]

You may want to spend some time perusing the Cult of PT57 thread. It's all in there. A quick look at what the pros use and you'd see that it isn't nearly as wide a range as they make it seem with PJ's and marketing(thus the existence of PJ's and marketing...). Much of it is basically H19, H22, Options 2's, PTs and TG's, 6.1's, and some sort of PD variant the last 2 decades or so. In practice, that's virtually hundreds of pros using only 3 or 4 distinct types of racquets in design. As I mentioned earlier, Monfils is a great example - he went Head>Prince>Wilson in his career, with all those racquets he had in his hand on court the entire time being basically identical.

True ish, more of a pious know-it-all reply, than anything else.

 

[TennisHound]

Whatever. I'm just speaking from actual experience since I have the Blade, UT, PT57A. The Blade is not like the UT at all. Only thing they share is a 18/20 string pattern and a similar head shape.

You may want to spend some time perusing the Cult of PT57 thread. It's all in there. A quick look at what the pros use and you'd see that it isn't nearly as wide a range as they make it seem with PJ's and marketing(thus the existence of PJ's and marketing...). Much of it is basically H19, H22, Options 2's, PTs and TG's, 6.1's, and some sort of PD variant the last 2 decades or so. In practice, that's virtually hundreds of pros using only 3 or 4 distinct types of racquets in design. As I mentioned earlier, Monfils is a great example - he went Head>Prince>Wilson in his career, with all those racquets he had in his hand on court the entire time being basically identical.

Have ya'll not looked at the pro players? Monfils uses the Ultra Tour. He used to use a Blade. The Radical now is 16x19, like the kind Murray uses. Everybody knows that, duh.

 

[SamBruin7]

Wow TennisHound, you have over 3400 posts and you still think Monfils used the Blade? Come on man. And Murray never used the Radical, it's only a paintjob and he always used the PT57A. Not being a know it all, just stating facts.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

Have ya'll not looked at the pro players? Monfils uses the Ultra Tour. He used to use a Blade. The Radical now is 16x19, like the kind Murray uses. Everybody knows that, duh.

Wow TennisHound, you have over 3400 posts and you still think Monfils used the Blade? Come on man. And Murray never used the Radical, it's only a paintjob and he always used the PT57A. Not being a know it all, just stating facts.

Is that a deliberately disingenuous riposte to a deliberately disingenuous post? (If so, kudos for the deadpan subtlety!) If you thought @TennisHound was serious, well...

 

[DonDiego]

What string do you guys use in your UItra? My favourite strings are RPM BLAST 17, Volkl Cyclone 17 and Luxilon 4G 17.

 

[DanS]

What string do you guys use in your UItra? My favourite strings are RPM BLAST 17, Volkl Cyclone 17 and Luxilon 4G 17.

I use Cyclone 18 strung at 45 per BHBH's suggestion and I like it! Cyclone was one of my go to strings anyway, but this is the first time I've strung it below 50.

 

[SamBruin7]

Is that a deliberately disingenuous riposte to a deliberately disingenuous post? (If so, kudos for the deadpan subtlety!) If you thought @TennisHound was serious, well...

Ahahaha, with all the disinfo going on here and people saying the Ultra Tour is just like the Blade, I thought he was being serious.

 

[DonDiego]

I use Cyclone 18 strung at 45 per BHBH's suggestion and I like it! Cyclone was one of my go to strings anyway, but this is the first time I've strung it below 50.

Good to know. I string my rads at 50 lbs so I'll do the same with the Ultra Tour.

 

[DanS]

Good to know. I string my rads at 50 lbs so I'll do the same with the Ultra Tour.

Yeah... I was surprised at how much extra pop I got just by dropping it 5 pounds! Just to give it a little more, I added 3 grams of tungsten tape at 12 as well. The difference with those 2 mods is like night and day.

 

[Jouke]

I use Cyclone 18 strung at 45 per BHBH's suggestion and I like it! Cyclone was one of my go to strings anyway, but this is the first time I've strung it below 50.

Hated Cyclone in it. Terrible feel. Such a harsh string. Now playing Poly Tour Pro 1.20 yellow and liking it a lot.

 

[DanS]

Hated Cyclone in it. Terrible feel. Such a harsh string. Now playing Poly Tour Pro 1.20 yellow and liking it a lot.

I don't think it's harsh at all, especially strung at 45. If you're stringing it at 65 in your Ultra Tour, then I'd have to agree with you! Then again, that statement would apply to most polys I've tried. Personally, I've never cared for Yonex Poly Tour Pro. To each his/her own.

 

[pfrischmann]

What string do you guys use in your UItra? My favourite strings are RPM BLAST 17, Volkl Cyclone 17 and Luxilon 4G 17.

Babolat VS gut at 53 and 4G at 48.

 

[TennisD]

What string do you guys use in your UItra? My favourite strings are RPM BLAST 17, Volkl Cyclone 17 and Luxilon 4G 17.

Pro Hurricane Tour 17 @ 52-55. Might be an oldie, but still a goldie...

 

[tennisreflectslife]

Hey guys, anyone tried multiple of these UTs, can comment on the specs variability on these from Wilson ? I had huge difference in specs on the two RF97s I have, so am keen to now if these are better/worse/similar in that regard. Thanks!

 

[moon shot]

Hey guys, anyone tried multiple of these UTs, can comment on the specs variability on these from Wilson ? I had huge difference in specs on the two RF97s I have, so am keen to now if these are better/worse/similar in that regard. Thanks!

I have 2 that were pretty distant but since I’m using it as a platform it didn’t matter, both fit within my final specs.

 

[tennisreflectslife]

I have 2 that were pretty distant but since I’m using it as a platform it didn’t matter, both fit within my final specs.

Got it! Thanks for the reply. For some reason I keep getting fascinated towards getting one of these, even though I don't need a new racket and I don't even play with 18x20s lol. I might just get one at some point.

 

[DanS]

Got it! Thanks for the reply. For some reason I keep getting fascinated towards getting one of these, even though I don't need a new racket and I don't even play with 18x20s lol. I might just get one at some point.

That's just Wilson QC for ya. You can have TW match specs for you, or most specialty tennis shops will have their own scales and balance beams as well.

It's's an incredible racquet, so don't let something like that put you off or you'll never buy another Wilson again! lol

 

[Pleb123]

Hey guys, anyone tried multiple of these UTs, can comment on the specs variability on these from Wilson ? I had huge difference in specs on the two RF97s I have, so am keen to now if these are better/worse/similar in that regard. Thanks!

Of the two I just received one was almost spot on the manufacturer's specs, weighing 306 grams and with a balance of 315 unstrung. The other was 307 grams but 310 balance. Tried matching the specs by adding 6 grams of lead under the bumper of one and 6 grams in the handle of the other. I anticipate that they swing differently but am reserving final judgment until they come back from the stringer.

 

[mad dog1]

Hey guys, anyone tried multiple of these UTs, can comment on the specs variability on these from Wilson ? I had huge difference in specs on the two RF97s I have, so am keen to now if these are better/worse/similar in that regard. Thanks!

I have 2 of them and they came in with slightly different specs. Like @moon shot, it’s a platform stick for me, too, so off spec was not an issue. I just matched them both with lead and putty. They play the same to me.

 

[CosmosMpower]

Have one of these coming, can't wait to compare it to my Angell TC95 Custom 18x20's.

 

[jmacdaununder2]

So, has anyone extended one of these bad boys yet? Thinking of trying to get a low balance point - very head light - one and going out to 28” - professional/shop job, not me - and then adding lead to fine tune.

 

[DanS]

So, has anyone extended one of these bad boys yet? Thinking of trying to get a low balance point - very head light - one and going out to 28” - professional/shop job, not me - and then adding lead to fine tune.

I don't remember reading about anyone extending one yet so I guess you'll be the guinea pig! lol

 

[DonDiego]

So, Wilson said I would receive the racquet in a month and a half... So I said f*** it! I ordered a Prestige Touch Tour instead and it arrived this morning.

 

[JOSHL]

So, Wilson said I would receive the racquet in a month and a half... So I said f*** it! I ordered a Prestige Touch Tour instead and it arrived this morning.

Why so long???

 

[DonDiego]

Why so long???

I don't know. It's Wilson Canada, they often have logistics problem here.

 

[DanS]

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