Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026

The Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 is a control-focused racket aimed at advanced players who like to dominate from the back of the court without giving up easy acceleration at the net. It stands out for its very lively ball exit and a forgiving, comfortable feel, wrapped in a premium construction typical of the Metalbone line.

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Technical Analysis

Shape and Balance

This racket comes in a round shape, clearly oriented to precision and stability.

The sweet spot sits in the center, which gives a predictable response on most defensive and neutral shots. The balance feels slightly centered, so it does not behave like a head-heavy hammer. Instead, it allows quick preparation in defense and fast changes of direction in tight exchanges.

Players who prefer control over raw power will feel very at home here. It behaves especially well in block shots, lobs and counterattacks, where the racket remains stable and does not twist easily.

Materials and Construction

Adidas uses a carbon fiber frame, which adds rigidity and durability to the structure, resisting torsion when defending hard hits or countering viboras.

On the faces, you get 6K carbon, which offers a crisp but not harsh contact. This fiber helps generate a bit more punch than a full fiberglass setup, while keeping feedback clear in every stroke.

Inside, the core is made of EVA Soft Performance. This rubber is soft and elastic, giving a lot of rebound and comfort. Mishits feel controlled, and the arm does not suffer as much on off-center hits or on long sessions.

The combination of carbon + 6K carbon + EVA Soft Performance gives a medium-soft feel with a very notable trampoline effect, especially helpful from the back of the court and in slow balls.

Grip

The grip follows the standard Adidas profile: comfortable, slightly thick, and quite pleasant for long matches. It offers a nice compromise between maneuverability and firmness.

Those who like to play with overgrips will find enough room to build the grip size they want without losing control. The handle length works very well for two-handed backhands and for players who like to use the “lever” effect in trays and smashes.

Comfort

In terms of comfort, this is one of the areas where the Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 shines.

The soft EVA core absorbs vibrations well, and the medium-soft touch reduces arm fatigue, even in days with several matches. The racket does not feel stiff or harsh, which is key for players prone to elbow or wrist issues.

Despite the carbon construction, the sensation is friendly and cushioned, especially on defensive shots and medium-pace strokes. Only on very flat, aggressive hits will you notice a bit more rigidity, but it stays within a very comfortable range.

Technologies

Adidas integrates several key technologies that shape how this racket performs:

• Octagonal Structure: Reinforces the frame with an octagonal profile, improving rigidity and stability. This helps on fast volleys and blocks, where the racket must stay solid on impact.
• EPG (Extra Power Grip): Extends the grip area and shifts some mass slightly towards the upper zone, helping to generate more inertia in attacking shots, especially when you accelerate decisively.
• Low Poly Design: The new polyhedral design in the frame and heart areas improves structural stiffness. That gives a more solid response in powerful strokes and avoids that “noodle” sensation some soft rackets have.
• Spin Blade Decal: The rough surface helps produce spin on slices, bandejas, and topspin shots. It is not the most aggressive roughness on the market, but it clearly adds grip on the ball.
• Smart Holes Curve: Hole distribution is curved and strategic, enlarging the effective sweet spot and giving a more uniform exit on off-center shots.
• Structural Reinforcement: Extra reinforcements in stress zones increase durability and maintain the frame’s shape over time, even with intense use.

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On-Court Performance

Back of the Court

From the back, this racket feels very comfortable and easy to play with. The soft EVA gives a huge rebound, so the ball comes out with little effort on lobs and defensive blocks.

In slow-paced rallies, control is excellent. The round shape and central sweet spot make it very easy to direct the ball deep with safety. Errors for lack of centering are minimized, and the racket forgives a lot in awkward positions.

At higher speeds, the racket still behaves well, although the power ceiling is not that of a diamond-shaped attacker’s racket. To get a truly heavy ball from the back, you need to help with your technique and body rotation. If you base your game on timing and placement more than brute force, the performance is very satisfying.

Defense is one of its biggest strengths:

• Very easy lobs.
• Comfortable blocks against aggressive rivals.
• Great control on chiquitas and changes of pace.

Players who suffer with stiffer, hard-touch rackets will find this model much easier to manage in these situations.

At the Net

At the net, the maneuverability is one of its most notable points. Quick volleys, counter-volleys and fast reactions to the body feel natural. You can move the racket very quickly without losing control.

In volleys, the touch is controlled and soft, which is perfect for angled volleys, drops and playing with placements. The ball leaves the face with good speed, helped by that lively core, though the racket never feels wildly bouncy.

In bandejas and viboras, the balance of spin and control is very good. The Spin Blade roughness allows you to load the ball with slice, keeping it low and deep. You can repeat the stroke over and over without losing confidence, since the sweet spot helps a lot on small mishits.

In very fast net exchanges, the racket responds particularly well, allowing quick preparation and safe blocking. Players who spend most points near the net controlling tempo will feel very comfortable with this model.

Smash

Here is where the racket shows its more control-oriented nature.
It is not a “padel cannon,” but it is not weak either.

For flat smashes, you need good technique and leg drive to consistently bring the ball out of the court. The racket helps, but it does not give the same free power as a very hard, head-heavy racket.

Where it performs better is in:

• Kick smashes with spin, using the roughness and soft core to get the ball to jump after the bounce.
• Angle smashes, looking for side exits instead of pure raw power.

Intermediate and advanced players who use angles, placement and spin rather than just brute force will get very solid results. Those who rely on effortless, pure power from the racket might find this model a bit short in that aspect.

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Who Is This Racket For?

The Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 fits best for:

• Advanced and intermediate-advanced players who value control, comfort and ball exit over extreme power.
• Left or right-side players who build points with lobs, precise volleys and smart placement.
• Players with sensitive elbows or wrists who need a more comfortable, soft-touch carbon racket.
• Those looking for a round Metalbone option that maintains the line’s rigidity and technologies but with a much more manageable, control-focused profile.

It is less suitable for:

• Pure attackers searching for maximum power in flat smashes.
• Players who prefer a very hard feel and a clearly head-heavy balance.

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Conclusion

The Adidas Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 is a high-level control racket with a very pleasant medium-soft feel, an enlarged sweet spot, and excellent maneuverability.

Its strongest points are:

• Outstanding comfort thanks to the EVA Soft Performance core.
• Great control from the back and at the net.
• Easy ball exit, which helps a lot in defense.
• Technologies that add stability and spin without making the racket demanding.

Its weaker side is pure power in the smash, where it cannot compete with the most aggressive, diamond-shaped models.

For players who prioritize precision, comfort and consistency over brutal hitting, this Metalbone Carbon CTRL 2026 is a very balanced and reliable option that performs at a high standard in almost every area of the game.