Adidas Metalbone CTRL 3.4
The Metalbone CTRL 3.4 takes the aggressive Metalbone name and reshapes it into a round, control-first racket. It’s built for players who value precision, comfort and versatility over raw finishing power.
It sits in the 2025 Metalbone family alongside Ale Galán’s diamond Metalbone 3.4, but the two rackets answer different questions. The diamond is built to end points; the CTRL is built to win them patiently, with a 16K aluminized carbon face over a Soft Performance EVA core, a 38 mm profile and a medium balance that keeps the head easy to steer through long rallies.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The round head and medium balance give an excellent mix of control and maneuverability, so the ball goes where you aim it.
- The Octagonal Structure and Low Poly frame resist twisting on off-centre hits, keeping the face stable in fast exchanges.
- Power Groove and the Spin Blade surface add enough pop and bite that control never feels passive.
- The Soft Performance EVA core makes it genuinely comfortable, with good vibration dampening for a competition-level racket.
Cons
- Not built for players who want maximum smash power: flat kills from the back take more effort than with a diamond.
- The textured Spin Blade surface wears over time on abrasive courts, so spin drops off with heavy use.
- Less exciting on paper than Adidas’ diamond power models, while sitting at a similar price.
On-court performance
Back of the court
This is the CTRL 3.4’s comfort zone: the round head and medium balance make consistent, controlled depth easy to produce.
In defence, the balance gives you time. Lobs and chiquitas leave the face on a predictable trajectory, and the generous sweet spot of a round head means a slightly late contact still lands deep instead of floating mid-court. This is the racket that lets you sit back, wait for the short ball and stay in the point.
At the net
Swift and smooth transitions: the racket scores well on maneuverability, which helps with fast reflex volleys.
Blocks are where the Octagonal Structure earns its place. The face holds its angle when a hard ball arrives off-centre, so volleys stay low instead of popping up. You won’t punch many winners through the glass, but you will put the ball at your opponents’ feet far more often than you miss.
Overheads (bandeja, víbora, smash)
Power is moderate rather than explosive, but the octagonal frame and Power Groove keep smashes usable when the point calls for it.
Bandejas and víboras suit it best: the round head gives you control over depth, and the Spin Blade surface helps the ball stay low after the bounce. For an x3 or x4 you need clean technique and full extension. This racket rewards placement over brute force.
Spin
The Spin Blade decal gives the face a rough texture that grips the ball on slices and cut volleys. Combined with the round head, it makes low, skidding trajectories easy to repeat, which is exactly what a control player builds points on.
Comfort & vibrations
One of the more arm-friendly rackets in Adidas’ range, and a real option for players managing fatigue or minor arm issues.
The Soft Performance EVA core absorbs much of the shock on mishits, and the medium balance avoids the wrist strain that head-heavy power rackets cause over a long match. If your arm complains after two hours on court, this is one of the safer picks in the 2025 Adidas line-up.
Who it’s for / who should skip it
Good fit if…
- You’re an intermediate to advanced player who builds points from the back and values precision over pace.
- Comfort and reduced arm fatigue matter to you, especially if you play several times a week.
- You want a versatile racket that doesn’t punish imperfect contact or slightly late swings.
Skip it if…
- You need maximum power to finish points from the back or through the glass.
- You already play a diamond and want to keep an aggressive, net-first game.
- You prioritise raw pace above precision and want the ball to do the work for you.
Metalbone CTRL 3.4 vs Metalbone 3.4: which one?
Both belong to the same 2025 Metalbone family and share Adidas’ frame technology, but the shape changes everything. The Metalbone 3.4 is a diamond built around Ale Galán’s attacking game, with the sweet spot placed higher for overhead power. The CTRL 3.4 is round, with a medium balance and a sweet spot that sits where most rally balls are actually struck.
Choose the CTRL if most of your points are won with patience, depth and low volleys, or if you want a racket that forgives. Choose the diamond if you already finish points overhead and have the technique to control a higher balance. Many players moving up from an intermediate racket are better served by the CTRL first: it builds the consistency that makes a power racket worth having later.
Specifications
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Faces | 16K aluminized carbon |
| Core | EVA Soft Performance |
| Weight | 345–360 g |
| Balance | Medium |
| Thickness | 38 mm |
| Technologies | Octagonal Structure, Power Groove, Low Poly, Spin Blade, Weight & Balance, Power Extra Grip |
| Level | Professional |
| Segment | Mid-premium control |
Note: small unit-to-unit variations in weight and balance are normal.
Alternatives
| Model | Why pick it | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Adidas Adipower Multiweight CTRL 3.4 2025 | Adjustable Weight & Balance for even more customisation. | Significantly higher price. |
| Adidas Metalbone CTRL 2026 | Newer generation of the same control concept. | Similar overall profile, incremental upgrade. |
| Siux Electra ST4 Pro 2025 | Hybrid shape if you want a bit more attacking upside. | Less pure control than a round racket. |
Verdict
The Metalbone CTRL 3.4 proves that “control racket” doesn’t have to mean passive: it’s comfortable, stable, and precise, with enough pop from the Power Groove system to keep opponents honest.
It won’t satisfy players chasing maximum power, but for intermediate and advanced players who want to reduce arm fatigue and unforced errors, it’s a genuinely well-rounded choice.
If the Metalbone name appeals to you but your game is built on consistency rather than kills, this is the version to buy. Pair it with good positioning and it will win you more points than a power racket you can’t control.
In 30 seconds
- A comfortable, stable round control racket from Adidas.
- Precise and versatile; not built for maximum power.
- A strong choice for players who want control without giving up comfort.