After spending the last few weeks with the Babolat Technical Vertuo, I finally feel ready to give it the full breakdown it deserves. As someone who plays padel 4–5 times a week and leans toward an aggressive style, I am always looking to dominate the net and finish points quickly. This racket intrigued me from the moment I picked it up. It’s the more accessible sibling of the Technical Viper, made famous by Juan Lebrón, so naturally, expectations were high.
Let’s dive into what the Vertuo offers and whether it fits the hype.
First Impressions
Right out of the box, the Babolat Technical Vertuo looks like a weapon. With its high-contrast red-and-black design and diamond-shaped head, it screams “aggression.” It feels slightly top-heavy, but not in a way that’s overwhelming. You can tell this racket was designed for players who love smashing and vibora-heavy play.
The textured finish on the surface is a nice touch too. It’s not overly gritty like some rackets, but enough to help with spin.
Who Is It For?
Babolat designed the Vertuo line for intermediate players who want to play like the pros but aren’t quite ready for the full intensity of something like the Technical Viper. If you love attacking and want a racket that helps you generate easy power without compromising too much control, the Vertuo fits nicely into that space.
Performance Breakdown
Power – 9/10
This is easily the highlight. The combination of the diamond shape, Carbon Flex face (a mix of carbon and fiberglass), and soft EVA core makes generating power effortless, especially for smashes and overheads. I’ve hit some of my cleanest, most satisfying smashes with this racket.
Even if you’re not a big hitter, the Vertuo gives you the tools to threaten from the back of the court. And if you are a big hitter, it just feels like an extension of your arm when going for that bandeja winner.
Control – 6.5/10
This is where the Vertuo shows its limitations. The soft feel is great for comfort and forgiveness, but you sacrifice some precision. On volleys, you might occasionally find the ball popping off the face more than expected, especially in fast exchanges at the net.
If your game relies heavily on delicate drop shots or surgical accuracy from the baseline, you’ll need to take a little extra care.
Maneuverability – 7.5/10
Despite the diamond shape and slight head-heaviness, I found the Vertuo decently maneuverable. It’s not as whippy as round control-oriented rackets, but it doesn’t feel like a brick either. Transitioning between defense and attack feels smooth, though after long matches, I did start to feel it in the shoulder.
If you’ve got strong technique, the added heft becomes an advantage rather than a hindrance.
Feel – 8/10
This surprised me. While soft rackets sometimes feel “mushy,” the Vertuo has a very nice feedback — you feel the ball pocket just enough. It’s forgiving on off-center hits, making it ideal for intermediate players or those still fine-tuning their technique.
Durability and Build Quality
Babolat continues to impress with build quality. I’ve used the racket in varying weather conditions and on different court surfaces, and it’s held up really well. No paint chips, no weird vibrations, and the structure feels as solid as it did on day one. The grip is decent, though I’d recommend adding an overgrip if you sweat a lot.
Who Uses It?
While Juan Lebrón plays with the Babolat Technical Viper, the Vertuo is more of a consumer-friendly version of that pro-level frame. It’s not commonly seen on the pro tour because of its more forgiving build, but it’s inspired by what the top guys use.
If you love Lebrón’s playing style, explosive, aggressive, always attacking, the Vertuo gives you a taste of that playstyle without punishing your arm or shoulder like the stiffer Viper might.
What I Liked
- Effortless power generation – Ideal for aggressive play.
- Great feel on smashes and bandejas.
- Comfortable for long sessions – Soft core absorbs vibrations well.
- Slick design – The aesthetic really stands out.
- More accessible than pro-level rackets like the Technical Viper.
What I Didn’t Like
- Control can be inconsistent, especially at the net.
- Slightly head-heavy – might tire some players out during longer matches.
- Not ideal for defensive or control-oriented players.
- Lacks a bit of spin bite compared to sandpaper-finish rackets.
Final Verdict:
The Babolat Technical Vertuo is an excellent choice for intermediate to advanced players who lean toward power and want to play a more aggressive, fast-paced game. It’s forgiving enough to help you develop your smashes, overheads, and attacking volleys, yet it carries enough firepower to win points outright when you connect well.
If you’re transitioning from a round or control racket and want to step into a more aggressive role on court, this could be your gateway weapon. Just don’t expect pinpoint precision — this racket was built to finish points, not finesse them.
Rating: 8.5/10 – A powerful, stylish, and accessible racket for the modern attacking padel player.
