A comfortable control racket that favours consistency over brute force
The Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 takes a noticeably softer route than many control rackets. Its round shape, fibreglass face and Soft Performance EVA core favour easy ball release and a forgiving sweet spot, while the low-key balance keeps the racket manageable in quick exchanges. It is not built for spectacular smashes, but for players who value placement, comfort and repeatable shots.
Adidas Cross IT Team CTRL 2026 review
There is a certain honesty about the Cross IT Team CTRL. Adidas has taken the Cross IT name and built a version that puts comfort and control ahead of outright attacking performance. That makes it rather different from the sort of racket that demands a big swing before giving anything back.
The construction tells much of the story. The racket uses a fibreglass hitting surface with Adidas' Soft Performance EVA core, giving it a softer response than the carbon-faced rackets higher up the Cross IT range. The listed weight is 360-375g, with a 38mm profile and a round head shape.
That combination makes sense for the player who spends plenty of time defending from the back of the court, constructing points patiently and looking for gaps rather than trying to hit through the opposition.
Feel and control
The first thing likely to stand out is the softness of the response. Fibreglass has more give than a stiff carbon face, and the Soft Performance EVA core adds to that sensation. The ball sits on the racket for a fraction longer, which helps when trying to take pace off a difficult shot or guide the ball towards a particular corner.
That does not mean the racket feels vague. The response is reasonably predictable, particularly around the centre of the face. The round shape also gives the Cross IT Team CTRL a generous central sweet spot, which is useful in real padel because not every ball arrives at the perfect height or speed.
There is a practical benefit here. If you are defending against a hard drive and make contact slightly towards the edge, the racket is more forgiving than many firm, attack-focused models. You can still get the ball back into play rather than watching a mishit drop short.
That forgiving nature is one of the strongest reasons to consider this Adidas.
Power and attacking play
Power is where the compromises become clearer.
The Cross IT Team CTRL produces good ball output for a soft control racket, particularly on slower swings. It does not require you to throw everything into a defensive lob, and the fibreglass surface helps the ball leave the face without excessive effort.
Smashers looking for maximum penetration will want more. The racket does not have the same immediate punch as a firmer carbon model, and the round shape does little to encourage the kind of high-impact finishing that comes naturally from more attacking designs.
That is not necessarily a criticism. It simply means you need to generate more of the power yourself when the ball is sitting up for a winner.
The Extra Power Grip is intended to increase inertia through its longer handle, which adds some authority to attacking strokes. It helps, but it does not transform the Cross IT Team CTRL into a power racket.
Defence and baseline play
This is where the racket makes its strongest case.
Defensive lobs benefit from the soft core and fibreglass face. There is enough rebound to get the ball deep without having to overhit, while the round head makes it easier to find the centre of the racket when you are stretched or late.
Blocks are similarly comfortable. Against a hard ball, the softer construction takes some of the sting out of the contact. That makes it easier to absorb pace and redirect the ball rather than simply trying to survive the exchange.
For intermediate players still learning how to defend properly, that can be particularly valuable. A racket that gives you a little help when your timing is not perfect can make matches considerably less frustrating.
The downside is that experienced players who already generate plenty of racket-head speed may find the response a little too gentle.
Volleys and net play
At the net, the Cross IT Team CTRL is more capable than its soft feel might suggest. The racket moves reasonably easily in the hand, helped by the Dynamic Air Flow design around the throat. Quick exchanges do not feel cumbersome, which is important when you are reacting rather than preparing a full swing.
Controlled volleys are a strong point. The soft face gives you enough feel to take some pace off the ball, while the central sweet spot makes directional changes relatively straightforward.
It is particularly well suited to players who use the volley to build pressure rather than simply swing hard at everything. A firm volley into the corner is more its style than a flat strike aimed at blowing a hole through the opponent.
Spin and racket technology
Adidas has added its Spin Blade Decal to the surface, providing a textured area designed to help create spin. It is useful for sliced shots, bandejas and other strokes where brushing the ball matters.
The 11 Thirteen hole arrangement is another distinctive feature. Smaller holes in the central area are intended to increase rigidity, while the open throat associated with Dynamic Air Flow is designed to improve airflow around the racket.
These features are not reasons alone to buy the racket. They are better viewed as refinements around a fundamentally soft, control-oriented design.
Build quality and value
The Cross IT Team CTRL looks like a proper Adidas performance racket rather than a cut-price beginner model. The black, orange and white finish gives it plenty of presence, while the graphics are bold without becoming particularly fussy.
The original UK price is around £155, although current retail prices are often lower. That puts it into an interesting part of the market. You are not paying flagship money, yet you still get technologies associated with Adidas' more expensive Cross IT rackets.
That value becomes more convincing if your priority is comfort and control rather than maximum power. There is little point spending considerably more on a stiffer carbon racket if you actually prefer a softer response.
What do owners think?
The independent owner feedback is still fairly limited, which is important for a relatively new 2026 model. The comments that are available are mixed rather than universally glowing.
One Racketguide owner, Enrico, specifically commented: Tiene poco agarre en la pala.
(Racketguide)
A second Racketguide review, from a 57-year-old beginner, contained no written comment but rated the racket two out of five. That is a useful reminder that the soft, forgiving design will not suit everyone. (Racketguide)
A MercadoLibre buyer was more positive, writing: Excelente calidad. Buena relación calidad-precio
. (MercadoLibre)
Another buyer on the same marketplace wrote: Aún no la use pero llegó en perfecto estado.
(MercadoLibre)
