Padel Racket Review - Babolat X Lamborghini Bl002 Orange

What the reviewers say

Dani 13, one of Spain's most respected independent padel reviewers, tested the BL002 at the Marbella launch and came away with a nuanced take. He found handling to be solidly average: "It doesn't swing exceptionally well, and it's not difficult either. A standard racket for handling." Defense surprised him positively, with the ball exiting reliably at low to medium pace without demanding extra effort. The rebound effect was where he had to adapt: at high tempo the ball "floats more than you want," particularly on volleys and viboras. His overall verdict was honest: the performance is closer to the Babolat Counter Veron than to a top-of-the-line weapon, and at €600 the value case is driven by exclusivity rather than outright on-court superiority.

Padel Magazine's Stéphane Penso tested it hands-on at Cap7 Padel and pointed to the combination of power and comfort as the real achievement. He noted that the Koridion and Multi-EVA pairing "delivers spectacular energy restitution with explosive power on smashes and viboras, accompanied by a sound reminiscent of a Lamborghini in Sport mode, while maintaining precise control." He contrasted it clearly with the BL001, calling the BL002 more versatile and accessible: "Babolat has opted for an accessible and fun version, far from brutal excesses."

SmashinnLAB attended the Marbella launch and summarized the on-court experience as immediate: "The racket surprised us from the first shot: power, precision, and a firm response that was noticeable on every point." Their structural breakdown highlighted the Koridion foam and the TPS system as genuine differentiators, and their assessment matched Penso on the target profile: demanding but not elite-only.

The Padel Gang, reviewing it in the UK market context, noted that "the carbon face creates an immense trampoline effect" and that despite the bulky appearance, the aerodynamic drilling pattern makes swing speed feel faster than the weight implies. They were blunt on value: "A standard Technical Viper offers 90% of the performance for 30% of the price," but acknowledged it holds resale value better than almost any racket in the market.

Our take: Christoph's summary

This racket is built exactly for players who want to finish points with a weighted, committed swing. The diamond shape and head-heavy balance turn a proper flat forehand volley or smash into something noticeably more explosive than similarly priced competition rackets, and the TPS-cushioned face takes some of the arm fatigue out of the equation. The limitation is the rebound effect: if you hit with sustained force and don't pull the gesture down sharply, balls float into the back glass rather than the corner. For a right-side player used to managing their own power, that adaptation is manageable. For someone who already swings hard and plays fast consistently, the Babolat Technical Viper at a third of the price is the more rational bet.

In defense the BL002 is better than its diamond reputation suggests. Dani 13 noted it handles low-to-medium pace reliably, with the ball exiting deep without demanding extra extension. Blocks and resets work cleanly at controlled pace. Where it becomes trickier is when pace increases sharply: the Koridion-driven rebound effect can push the ball further than intended on passive defenses, requiring players to actively control rather than absorb.

This is where the BL002 earns its price tag on a sporting level. The combination of head-heavy balance, 3K carbon face, and Koridion stiffening creates a genuine trampoline effect on flat strikes. Dani 13 found smashes and flat finishing shots produced "noticeably more power than the Counter Veron while maintaining a medium-hard feel." The longer handle adds leverage for viboras and bandejas. Players with less technique benefit particularly here: the racket generates pace even when the swing is not perfectly timed.

At the net the experience splits by tempo. Soft blocks and controlled volleys are excellent: the ball exits with depth and comfort, and the medium-density EVA absorbs the impact cleanly. At faster exchange speeds the rebound effect becomes a liability. Dani 13 described it as a "love-hate" area: "As soon as you apply some force, if you don't pull the gesture down well, the ball is easy to send into the glass." The smooth TPS face also makes adding topspin on drop volleys harder than on a rougher-surfaced racket.

How it compares

Babolat Technical Viper Juan Lebron 3.0 (approx. €280-300): The Viper line is Babolat's pro-performance flagship and, as both Dani 13 and The Padel Gang noted, delivers roughly equivalent on-court performance for 30-40% of the BL002's price. The Technical Viper has a rougher surface for more spin and a slightly harder core. For pure performance-per-euro, the Viper wins. Choose the BL002 if exclusivity, design, and the Lamborghini co-engineering story matter to you.

Babolat Counter Veron (approx. €180-220): The most direct feel comparison according to Dani 13. The Counter Veron is softer and less powerful, suited to players who want more touch and less rebound. Step up to the BL002 when you want the power upgrade and can handle the faster tempo demands.