Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026

The Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 is a control-oriented racket with modern Adidas technologies and a surprisingly dynamic response. It feels very accessible for frequent players who want comfort, a big sweet spot, and extra help on defense, without completely giving up power near the net.

Technical Analysis

Shape and Playing Profile

The racket comes in a round shape, so the sweet spot sits very central and generous. That helps a lot on off-center shots, especially when defending from the back of the court.

Even though the line “Cross IT” is usually associated with attacking rackets, this CTRL version leans clearly to control and comfort, with a medium-soft feel that makes the ball stay on the face a bit longer. That gives more margin to place the shot, even if the technique is not perfect.

This is a racket that fits advanced regular players, but an ambitious intermediate can also adapt quickly thanks to its forgiving response.

Frame

The frame is built in carbon fiber, which adds stability and better durability than a full fiberglass construction. You feel the frame working especially well on volleys and blocks, where the racket barely twists even when the rival sends a heavy ball.

The Structural Reinforcement zones give extra rigidity in key areas, so the racket supports a more aggressive game over time. It does not feel overly stiff, though, thanks to the softer core.

Faces

The faces use fiberglass, which softens the impact and gives a very pleasant ball exit. You immediately notice the comfort and how easy it is to generate depth from the back of the court with a relaxed swing.

Fiberglass also helps players who don’t generate much power with their arm. The racket gives a bit of “catapult” effect at medium pace, which is helpful on lobs, chiquitas, and defensive blocks.

Core

Inside, Adidas uses EVA Soft Performance. This is a soft, elastic foam that increases rebound and comfort. It absorbs vibrations well and is friendly for players with elbow or wrist sensitivity.

The combination of soft EVA and fiberglass faces creates a medium-soft touch. There is feedback in the hand, but no harsh vibrations. Control at medium speed is solid, and the ball tends to come out with a nice, controlled arc.

Technologies

Adidas loads this racket with several performance technologies:

• Dynamic Air Flow (DAF): Openings and shaping in the bridge area help the racket cut through the air more easily. Swings feel lighter and faster, which helps with reaction volleys and quick transitions.

• EPG (Extra Power Grip): The grip zone is slightly extended and shifts more mass to the upper half. Even in a round racket, this brings a bit more inertia on flat hits and smashes, helpful for players who like to accelerate through the ball.

• Spin Blade Decal: A rough finish on the faces that adds grip on the ball. It helps a lot with topspin bandejas, viboras, and sliced chiquitas.

• Smart Holes Curve: Hole pattern distributed to maximize the size of the sweet spot. You notice it especially on off-center defensive shots, where the racket still gives a decent, controllable ball.

• 11 Thirteen: Reinforcement and hole layout concept that improves durability in stressed areas and keeps the face stable, even if you hit fast and heavy balls on a regular basis.

On-Court Feel

Back of the Court

From the back, the Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 feels very comfortable and predictable. The medium-soft touch, fiberglass faces, and EVA Soft Performance core give a very easy ball exit.

Defensive lobs come out clean with relatively little effort. On slower, controlled swings, you get good depth without needing to force. The big sweet spot helps a lot when you are late or stretched wide; mishits still land in play more often than you’d expect.

On flat drives, the racket offers more control than raw power. You can work the point and place the ball deep, but if you’re chasing heavy topspin from the baseline, you might miss a bit of punch compared with a stiffer, more offensive model. However, comfort and forgiveness are clear strengths here.

Chiquitas and counter-attacks are easy to manage. The touch allows precise height control over the net, which is crucial to take the initiative and move to the offensive position.

Net Play

Near the net, the racket shows a nice mix of maneuverability and ball speed for its segment.

Volleys feel quick and easy to position. Dynamic Air Flow helps move the racket fast, so you can react well in fast exchanges and block aggressive shots with stability. The carbon frame keeps the face stable on impact, avoiding that “flimsy” feel some soft fiberglass rackets can have.

On normal and offensive volleys, you can generate decent speed if you accelerate the arm. The racket does not transform every touch into raw power, but it rewards a firm, long swing. The Spin Blade Decal shines on cut volleys, dropshots, and angled shots, where you can really bite the ball and make it die after the bounce.

Bandejas and viboras are one of the most interesting parts of this model. The big sweet spot lets you be a bit lazy with your footwork and still connect the ball well. It grabs the ball enough to work heavy slice, and that helps a lot to keep your bandeja low and deep, making it harder for rivals to counter.

Smash

In the smash department, the Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 behaves better than many round, soft rackets, but it is not a pure cannon.

On flat smashes, the EPG system and the slightly increased mass toward the top give extra penetration. If you have solid technique and timing, you can bring the ball out by 3 or make it rebound strongly off the glass.

On kick smashes, the spin surface helps, but the medium-soft construction does not give the same explosive response as a harder, full-carbon attack racket. You can generate good topspin if you accelerate hard, yet players who live mainly off the smash might feel a small lack of punch on high, slow balls.

Where it performs very well is on oriented, tactical smashes: directing the ball to the fence, to the body, or to angles. The control and comfort let you adjust direction easily, which is often more valuable than pure power for many players.

Player Profile and Handling

This racket fits habitual players looking for:

• A control-first racket with extra comfort.
• A large, forgiving sweet spot.
• Help in defense and on medium-speed shots.
• Good spin tools for bandejas, viboras, and chiquitas.

Offensive, high-level hitters who rely heavily on the smash and demand a very stiff feel might prefer a harder, diamond-shaped option in the same line.

For right-sided players or left-sided players who base their game on construction, placement, and smart use of spaces, this model offers a very interesting balance. It is also a solid choice for players coming from intermediate rackets who want to step into a more technical frame without suffering stiffness or losing comfort.

Conclusion

The Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 is a comfortable, controllable, and modern racket with smart technologies aimed at improving handling, spin, and stability. It stands out especially in defense and in mid-court transitions, with a sweet spot that feels larger than average and a very pleasant impact feel.

Its main strengths lie in comfort, forgiveness, and spin-oriented control, rather than brutal power. In exchange, you get a racket that lets you play long matches without fatigue, place the ball with confidence, and keep mistakes under control, especially from the back of the court and in net play with spin.

For frequent padel players who value control, comfort, and a generous sweet spot, and who still want decent offensive capacity when they push, this racket is a very solid and well-thought-out option in the Adidas catalog.