Padel Racket Review - Adidas Cross It Team Control 35 2026

What the reviewers say

Written and video sources converge on a clear identity for this racket: comfortable, consistent, and honest about what it trades away.

PadelTennisRackets noted that "the ball feels good against the fiberglass face" and praised the round shape's defensive value: "When you are stretched or running late, the large sweet spot comes in handy." Their verdict on smash power was measured: "Smashes are good but not exceptional, and the racket may be a little too soft for those who base their game mostly on smash domination."

PadelReference rated it Control 8, Comfort 9, and Maneuverability 8, calling it "the reference racket for the tactical player who prioritizes comfort and precision. It allows you to build the point with confidence and defend with ease."

PadelRacketReviews.nl highlighted the material logic behind the design: "The fiberglass face bends slightly on impact, so the ball bounces back less abruptly and the player has more feel on each shot. Fiberglass returns less energy than a stiff carbon face, which limits power output compared to premium carbon rackets." They awarded a sweet spot score of 8.8.

SetUP Padel's comparison of the Cross It CTRL Carbon against the Cross It Light found the control-line rackets "work well in defence" but noted the 6K carbon-faced CTRL variant felt "harder than expected" and produced less consistent ball output in some shot types. The Team Control 35 uses a softer fiberglass face, which reviewers across the board consider more predictable in this regard.

The Padel Gang (thepadelgang.co.uk) positioned the CTRL variants as the right choice for "UK club players who build points patiently and value consistency over outright power" versus the diamond-shaped standard Cross It.

Our take: Lars's summary

Point builders who play from the right side will find a lot to like here. The round shape keeps defensive lobs consistent even when scrambling, and the textured surface does real work on angled volleys and bandejas where spin makes the difference between a ball that sits up and one that skids away. The trade-off is honest: this racket does not finish points on its own, and players who rely on a sharp smash to close rallies will feel that the soft core absorbs some of the punch they want. As a tool for constructing pressure through placement and consistency, though, it does the job well.

The round shape and centred sweet spot make the Team Control 35 a reliable defensive option. Off-centre hits at the back glass still produce usable returns, and the EVA Soft Performance core absorbs vibration rather than sending it into the arm. Defensive lobs come out clean with moderate effort, and the medium balance keeps the racket from feeling sluggish when resetting from a difficult position. PadelReference's Comfort rating of 9 reflects how little the racket punishes a rushed defensive swing.

This is where the CTRL's soft face shows its limits. Drives from the middle of the court are accurate but not penetrating. Smashes carry enough pace for most club play, but players who depend on a heavy overhead to close rallies will notice the core absorbs energy that a stiffer carbon face would return. PadelScout rated power at 7.2 out of 10, which is consistent with what a medium-soft fiberglass face delivers. The longer Power Extra Grip handle does help generate racket-head speed on committed swings, but the ceiling on raw ball speed is lower than carbon-faced alternatives at the same price.

At the net the Team Control 35 is tidy. The centred sweet spot and medium balance make quick volleys manageable, and the Spin Blade textured surface adds bite on cut volleys and angled shots. Bandejas are a strength: the round shape and large sweet spot tolerate slightly imperfect footwork, and reviewers noted the ball still goes deep with decent control even when timing is off. Viboras work, though the soft face limits how much snap a player can extract compared to a harder surface. For a player whose net game is built on placement over punch, the racket delivers.

How it compares

The Adidas Cross It Carbon CTRL 2026 is the natural step up within the same family. It shares the round shape and control intent but uses a stiffer carbon face that produces more ball speed and smash penetration. Players who find the Team Control 35 too soft for their attacking game, or who play at a higher competitive level, should consider it. The Team Control 35 is the more comfortable, more forgiving, and more affordable option.

The Bullpadel Ionic Control 2026 is a round, low-balanced control alternative at a comparable price. It prioritises maneuverability slightly more than the Adidas, making it a better fit for players who want quicker racket movement at the net. The Adidas edges it on sweet spot size and arm comfort.