2026
Babolat
Counter Origin 2026
Round355gLow BalanceControlBeginner
£70 RRP £90
Save £2022% off RRP
From Padel Nuestro
excl. shipping
excl. shipping
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ShapeRound
Weight355g
BalanceLow
LevelBeginner
StyleControl
CoreEVA
FaceFiberglass
FrameHybrid
Price History
Current price£70
21-day low£68
21-day high£83down £15 from peak
Our Verdict
The Counter Origin 2026 does exactly what a first padel racket should do: it gets out of the way and lets a new player focus on learning the game rather than fighting their equipment. The combination of a round head, fiberglass surface, EVA core, and head-light balance creates one of the most forgiving and arm-friendly packages at this level. The hybrid frame brings just enough stiffness from carbon to keep it feeling solid without transmitting harsh vibration through the arm. For a complete beginner — particularly one new to racket sports altogether — this is a sensible, well-considered starting point from a reputable brand.
Pros
- Players new to racket sports will find it genuinely easy to swing and recover quickly, thanks to the head-light balance keeping the weight central and the overall 355g sitting at the lighter end of adult rackets.
- The fiberglass surface offers a softer, more forgiving contact than carbon, which means mishits lose less control and the ball tends to stay on the strings fractionally longer — a real comfort for beginners still developing consistent technique.
- The round shape positions the sweet spot centrally and low on the face, so the margin for error on defensive retrievals and open-court shots is meaningfully larger than on a teardrop or diamond frame.
Cons
- Any player who has moved beyond the early beginner stage will quickly find this racket lacks the response, texture, and power ceiling needed to progress — it is firmly a first-racket tool and will feel limiting within months of regular play.
In Depth
The Face
Fiberglass
Fibreglass face — the most flexible surface material in padel. Absorbs pace on contact and returns it with a natural flex effect, particularly effective on softer touch shots.
The Core
EVA
EVA core — a medium-density rubber that balances feel with energy return. Firmer than EVA Soft, giving a more direct response on hard contact and better power transfer.
Shape & Balance
Round · Low Balance
The most forgiving combination available. Maximum sweet spot coverage, fast handling, and easy manoeuvrability. Designed for players who want to keep the ball in play consistently.
Who Buys This
Beginner · Control players
Players taking their first steps in padel, or returning after a long break. This racket prioritises forgiveness and ease of use — it won’t punish mishits harshly and doesn’t demand precise technique.
Not sure? Run our racket analysis →
