Bullpadel Elite Rome

Technologies

Pros

• ✓The teardrop shape's 524 cm² hitting surface keeps the sweet spot generous rather than pinpoint: the bandeja comes out clean even when you catch the ball half a centimeter under center, the Fibrix/Multieva pairing gives a progressive feel that cushions on blocked volleys but firms up as you swing harder — so viboras snap through without needing a huge arm — the Air React Channel and 38 mm frame keep this racket sharp at net with quick grip changes between forehand volleys and sliced backhands, the 3D rough surface genuinely bites the ball so bandeja kick and cut on drop shots show up from match one with no break-in needed, and the Vibradrive soaks up off-center shock so it holds up through long baseline grinds without hammering your elbow or wrist despite being a full competition racket.

Cons

• ✗The head-high balance demands early prep off the back wall — get there late with a closed body shape and the racket drops, leaving your lob short — it's a demanding EVA core that only advanced-plus players will fully compress (so flat smashes won't hit the pace the teardrop shape promises below that level), and being a limited Italy Major edition means stock is a one-off drop with no guarantee of restock like the brand's core lines, while the 350-360 g range leaves little room to add lead if you want an even higher balance without pushing total weight too far.

Bullpadel Elite Rome review: the limited-edition teardrop built for the Italy Major

Bullpadel unveiled the Elite Rome as the exclusive racket for Premier Padel's Italy Major, a design that mashes up Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man with the architecture of the Foro Italico. Strip away the artwork, though, and there's a genuine competition racket underneath: teardrop shape, 38 mm frame, Fibrix face, Multieva core, 350-360 g and a 524 cm² hitting surface.

This isn't a paint job slapped on a stock mold. It's the racket Gemma Triay, world No. 1 on the Premier Padel tour, actually takes onto court.

Bullpadel Elite Rome specs at a glance

Who should actually buy the Elite Rome?

This is a racket for competition-level players with a complete game — the kind who swap between baseline and net in the same rally and refuse to choose between power and placement. The teardrop shape's head-high balance and 524 cm² hitting surface deliver a high ball exit without giving up maneuverability, but the Multieva core wants real racket-head speed to unlock everything it offers.

That's the short answer. The longer one has a few wrinkles worth knowing before you buy.

Fibrix and Multieva: why this racket doesn't hit like a stiff teardrop

Classic competition teardrops tend to punish you — narrow sweet spot, dry feel, zero forgiveness. The Elite Rome dodges that stereotype thanks to the Fibrix face paired with the Multieva core.

Multieva isn't a single-density foam. By blending different hardnesses within the same core, the racket feels soft on gentle contact — a blocked volley, a delicate drop shot — then stiffens up the instant you really accelerate. On court that means the same padel racket that just killed a drop shot dead can rip a fast-exit vibora four shots later.

The Fibrix face supplies the other half of the equation. It's a weave that spreads vibration across the whole surface rather than concentrating it down the central axis, which widens the effective sweet spot beyond what you'd expect from a teardrop mold.

Vibradrive rounds things out by filtering the sting of off-center hits. It's the difference between finishing a three-match weekend with a fried forearm and finishing it feeling fine.

Elite Core, Air React Channel and Carbontube: what each one actually does

1. **Elite Core** — the internal architecture that shapes mass distribution and holds that head-high balance without piling on extra weight.
2. **Air React Channel** — an aerodynamic channel that cuts drag through the swing path. You feel it most in smash prep and net reflexes, where it buys you those crucial split-seconds.
3. **Carbontube** — a structural reinforcement that stiffens the 38 mm frame and stops it flexing on heavy impacts near the throat.
4. **3D rough surface** — not just cosmetic. It bites into the ball and amplifies spin on cuts and topspin shots from day one.

Shot-by-shot: how it plays

Smash. The head-high balance drives the head forward and the 38 mm frame holds firm on contact. The smash for the point comes through with real carry, and the racket face doesn't twist on impact. It demands arm speed, though — the Multieva won't hand out extra pace to a slow swing.

Bandeja and vibora. This is where the Elite Rome earns its keep. The 3D texture generates genuine kick on the bandeja, and the shape's maneuverability lets you close the face for the vibora without ever being late. Few teardrops in this category make the switch between those two shots feel this natural.

Defense and getting off the back wall. The relative weak point. That head-high balance means you need to start your prep earlier than you're used to if you're coming from a round shape. Get caught flat-footed on a ball hugging the glass and your lob comes up short, handing away the point. Prepare cleanly, though, and the ball exit is high with a deep lob that comes with no extra effort.

Volleys. Firm blocking feel, with Vibradrive damping the shock of fast incoming balls. Maneuverability is this racket's standout trait, and at net it shows up as quick reactions against crosscourt smashes.

Gemma Triay's racket, now in limited-edition form

The whole concept here is hybrid: competition-level performance without the usual trade-offs of an aggressive mold. Bullpadel released it alongside the Bullpadel Neuron 02 Edge Rome as an exclusive pairing for the tournament, both built around the same pitch of agility and stability from the back of the court.

Being a limited edition comes with a practical downside: availability is a one-off drop, with no restock guarantee like you'd get from an ongoing line.

Verdict: power on tap, not power for free

The Bullpadel Elite Rome is an all-round competition racket that handles both baseline and net with the same authority, and its 3D texture makes a real difference on spin-heavy shots. The power-to-control trade-off here is an honest one: both are there, but neither comes handed to you.

Who it's for: competition-level players with real racket-head speed, a complete game, and good anticipation on the back wall. Who should look elsewhere: anyone after a forgiving racket to climb the levels, or players who tend to prepare late in defense.

And if what you're really after is the Italy Major commemorative design on top of the performance, no other racket in the lineup replicates that.