Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.3 2024

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The Soft Performance EVA core cushions the impact on blocked volleys and awkward defensive gets, so the ball comes off clean even on off-centre hits or when you're stretching to reach it The low balance lets the racket rotate almost by itself in your wrist: cut bandejas, grip changes and contras off the back wall all come out without that dead-weight feeling With a 485 cm² hitting surface and round shape, the sweet spot is generous and forgives shots near the tip or close to the throat, which is a real help in long defensive rallies The sandy surface with the Spin Blade Decal bites nicely on the vibora and the cut drop shot, adding spin without forcing you to whip your arm through the shot The Weight & Balance System lets you add up to 12 g via screws in the core, so you can bump up the mass and shift the balance for more punch without switching rackets

Cons

• ✗This isn't a smash racket: with this low balance and control-oriented profile, a flat smash down the middle demands your own technique and racket-head speed, because the frame barely helps you out Ball exit is more restrained than a soft core might suggest; in long matches, if you're not the one generating pace, the ball comes up short and hands the initiative back to your rivals At 345-360 g with a 38 mm frame, this racket wants a well-trained arm: below advanced level, the lack of built-in power shows up before the control benefits do The pairing of rigid carbon faces over a soft rubber core gives a distinctive feel that won't click with everyone; coming from a hard EVA racket, the response will feel slow at first

Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.3 2024 review: the 485 cm² round racket behind Lorena Rufo's back-court game

The Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.3 2024 is the defensive read on the Metalbone family: round shape, low balance, Carbon Aluminized 2 to 1 faces and a Soft Performance EVA core that takes the sting out of every impact. It weighs 345-360 grams, runs a 38 mm frame, and is the signature racket of professional tour player Lorena Rufo.

This is a padel racket built for players who win points by placing the ball, not blasting it.

Metalbone CTRL 3.3 specs at a glance

What does Carbon Aluminized 2 to 1 add on top of a soft core?

This is the technical nuance that defines the racket. The aluminized carbon face is stiff and gives a solid, resistant response, while the Soft Performance EVA core does the opposite: it absorbs.

That contrast produces an unusual feel. The first millimetre of contact is soft and comfortable, but behind it sits a structure that doesn't flex away, so the ball never dies on the face.

The practical payoff: a gentle feel on the arm without losing directional control. On a blocked volley against a heavy ball, the racket soaks up the impact without vibrating and the ball goes exactly where you aim it.

The Octagonal Structure reinforces the 38 mm frame, and the Spin Blade Decal works with the sandy surface texture to bite into the ball on cut shots. The Smart Holes Curve rounds out how stiffness is distributed across the face.

Shot by shot: how it plays

Defense and off-the-back-wall exits. This is where it shines. The low balance keeps the mass close to the grip, so the racket gets under the ball quickly and lets you correct late. Lobs come out deep with minimal wrist effort.

Bandeja. Very natural. With 485 cm² of hitting surface and a wide sweet spot, the cut bandeja stays repeatable even when you're moving backwards and catching the ball off-centre.

Vibora and cut drop shots. The sandy texture grips well. It won't generate kick spin on its own, but it works with you if you bring the whip of the arm.

Smash. The declared weak point. A flat smash down the middle relies almost entirely on your own acceleration: the low balance adds no extra inertia and the control profile won't launch the ball for you. You'll smash well if your technique is there — not because the racket is doing the work.

Volleys. Comfortable and precise. The soft core forgives off-centre contact, while the stiff faces stop the ball dying short at the net.

What level is the Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.3 2024 suited for?

Straight answer: advanced players with a positional game who prioritise precision, deep defense and point construction over raw power. At 345-360 grams with a 38 mm frame, it demands a well-trained arm; an intermediate player will feel the lack of built-in power before they appreciate the control on offer.

In doubles, it fits naturally on the backhand side, or with the player who holds the rally together while their partner finishes points. It's not a racket for anyone looking to win points off two smashes.

The Weight & Balance System: 12 grams that change its character

This Adidas model comes with a screw-based system in the core that lets you add up to 12 extra grams to fine-tune weight and balance.

It's not a cosmetic extra. Stock, the racket is a pure control tool; add mass towards the head and you gain inertia and some extra depth on your smash, at the cost of manoeuvrability in defense.

That's why the model is positioned as adaptable — dial it toward maximum control or toward a more attacking setup depending on what you need. It's worth spending a couple of sessions testing configurations before settling on how you want it.

What not to expect from this racket

Be honest with yourself about what you're buying. Ball exit is restrained: the soft core gives comfort, not propulsion. In long matches, if you're not generating your own rhythm, shots come up short and you hand over the net.

The feel isn't universal either. Coming from a hard EVA core and a reactive face, your first few sessions will feel sluggish until you adjust your timing.

And the low balance, a blessing in defense, becomes a limitation when you're trying to close out a point from the baseline.

Verdict

The Metalbone CTRL 3.3 2024 does one specific thing very well: it gives you a racket that doesn't let you down when the point drags on. Wide sweet spot, loose handling, comfortable touch and a surface that bites enough to work your spin shots.

In exchange, it gives up outright power. If your game is built on patience, clean wall exits and precise volleys, this is a coherent choice. If you win points through the smash, look further up the range at a higher-balance model — this racket isn't built for that, and forcing the issue will only leave you frustrated.