Adidas Cross IT Carbon CTRL 2026

Adidas brings a very interesting option for control-oriented players with the Adidas Cross IT Carbon CTRL 2026. A round-shaped racket with a medium feel and carbon construction that clearly focuses on precision and comfort, but still keeps a lively response for attacking when the chance appears.

---

Technical Analysis

Shape and Balance

The round shape gives this racket a naturally forgiving sweet spot, especially helpful when defending under pressure or hitting off-center.

Its even balance keeps the racket stable in the swing and helps maintain clean mechanics on blocks, lobs, and controlled volleys. You don’t feel a heavy head pulling your arm, which suits players who like to guide the ball rather than muscle it.

Overall, the geometry leans clearly to control and consistency, with enough stability to avoid feeling “hollow” on impact.

Frame and Faces

The frame is made of carbon fiber, which adds solidity and durability to the structure. You feel a clear, defined contact, without too much vibration or wobble on harder hits.

On the faces, Adidas uses 6K carbon. This combination gives the racket a crisp touch, but the surface doesn’t feel excessively stiff thanks to the core. The racket responds well when accelerating through the ball, but you still have margin to place the shot with intention.

This mix is especially interesting for intermediate to advanced players who want precision without going to a very hard, demanding racket.

Core

Inside, we find EVA Soft Performance foam. This is one of the keys to the racket’s personality.

The core offers a soft and elastic rebound, which helps a lot in defense and in medium-paced exchanges. The ball leaves the surface easily with short swings, so you don’t need to overhit in order to get depth.

Despite the soft core, impact feedback remains fairly clean, avoiding the spongy feel that some very soft rackets have. On fast rallies, you still get a clear read of the ball on the strings, which helps timing.

Feel and Comfort

The global feel is medium, slightly leaning to the comfortable side thanks to the EVA Soft Performance.

• Impact is pleasant, with a controlled vibration level.
• The racket does not punish the arm on off-center hits.
• Long matches are manageable because you don’t feel the frame fighting you.

Players with some history of elbow discomfort may appreciate the softer core + carbon frame combo, as it gives control without excessive stiffness.

Maneuverability

This is one of the standout aspects. The racket feels agile in the hand: quick to prepare on the back wall, easy to react at the net.

The even balance helps a lot in rapid changes of direction, both on volleys and when adjusting late to tricky lobs.

Players who like to use wrists and quick acceleration will feel very comfortable, as the racket responds fast without feeling clunky or inert.

---

On-Court Performance

From the Back of the Court

From the baseline, this racket feels very predictable and friendly.

• In defense, the soft core helps you lift low balls and counter strong shots with short swings.
• Lobs come out clean and with margin, since the racket gives a nice combination of dwell time and rebound.
• In chiquitas and slow-paced shots, you can place the ball with accuracy, aiming corners or feet with confidence.

You do have to work a bit to generate big pace from static or very passive positions, as the racket doesn’t give the free power of a diamond-shaped, head-heavy model. But that’s normal for a control racket. The trade-off is excellent ball placement and a large usable sweet spot.

Players who like to construct points from the back, playing with height and direction, will find this racket very compatible with their style.

At the Net

At the net, the Adidas Cross IT Carbon CTRL 2026 really shines in precision and handling.

• Volleys: You can direct the ball with a lot of intention, especially cross-court and down-the-line. The sweet spot is generous, so minor timing errors don’t kill the shot.
• Drop volleys: The soft core gives nice touch. It’s easy to “kill” the speed of the ball and leave it short.
• Quick exchanges: The maneuverability allows you to close the racket fast and change directions with small movements of the wrist.

To hit very heavy volleys with lots of pace, you need to engage your body and technique, but once you do, the 6K carbon responds well and the ball comes off with good penetration.

For players who enjoy dominating the net through control, angles, and changes of rhythm, this racket is a very solid tool.

Overheads: Bandejas, Víboras, and Smashes

In the bandeja, the racket behaves very well:

• The round shape and medium feel help maintain control of depth, preventing the ball from flying too long.
• You can play bandejas with good margin over the net and still keep them deep and low after the bounce.

On víboras, the soft core plus carbon faces generate enough spin and bite for most intermediate-advanced players, as long as you accelerate the arm. The racket doesn’t feel brutal on impact, so you can repeat overheads without getting exhausted too fast.

In flat smashes, this is not a powerhouse racket. You can bring the ball out of the court, but you must time the ball well and use correct technique and leg drive. It rewards good mechanics, but it does not hide poor ones.

Where it works best is in placement smashes and kick smashes with spin and angle, focused on moving opponents rather than pure brute force.

---

Grip and Handling

The standard grip length and diameter feel comfortable for a wide range of players. The handle provides secure grip without forcing you into awkward wrist positions.

Players who like to add an overgrip or two will still find enough space without making the handle excessively thick.

Changes from forehand to backhand, especially for two-handed backhand tries on lobs or counters, feel fairly easy due to the racket’s compact sensation in the hand.

---

Who Is This Racket For?

The Adidas Cross IT Carbon CTRL 2026 is especially suitable for:

• Intermediate to advanced players who give priority to control, maneuverability, and comfort.
• Right-side players, or left-side players with a more strategic, patient style, who build points and finish only when the opportunity is really clear.
• Players recovering from arm discomfort who still want carbon construction but without an excessively rigid hit.
• Those who like to feel the ball on the face and place it with intention, rather than relying on free power.

It might not be the best choice for:

• Very aggressive players who focus heavily on flat, explosive finishing and want maximum power in the smash.
• Beginners who hit very irregularly and may get more benefit from a even softer, fully fiberglass face at the start of their learning curve.

---

Conclusion

The Adidas Cross IT Carbon CTRL 2026 is a control-first padel racket with a soft and comfortable response, a forgiving sweet spot, and excellent maneuverability.

It stands out at the net and from the back, offering solid precision, good touch, and enough punch for advanced rallies when you put your technique to work. The soft EVA core pairs very well with the 6K carbon faces, creating a hit that is gentle on the arm but still defined.

Its main limitation is in pure power smashes, where more aggressive, head-heavy rackets have an advantage. But if your priorities are placement, stability, comfort, and ease of handling, this Adidas model is a very strong candidate in the control segment for the 2026 season.