AI Quick Answer: The Riyadh P1 2026 finalists all play their long-standing signature lines — they don't switch rackets between tournaments, but their 2026 editions brought real technical upgrades. The key insight? Coello, Galan, and Chingotto all use high-balance, stiff, diamond-mold frames built for offensive padel at pro speeds. The real outlier is Tapia, whose teardrop AT10 Genius gives him pinpoint control alongside serious power — arguably the most approachable of the four for advanced amateurs.
The Premier Padel Riyadh 2026 P1 final delivered exactly what we expected: a 65-minute demolition round. Arturo Coello and Agustín Tapia dismantled Fede Chingotto and Alejandro Galán with a clinical 6-4, 6-2, extending their head-to-head dominance over the Madrid pair to 21-9. Coello and Tapia's 18-match winning streak is showing no signs of stopping.
After big finals like this, the padel community always turns to the same question: "What were they hitting with?" The honest answer is something experienced players already know — these pros don't hit the courts with a new frame every week. They stay loyal to their signature lines, and what changes each season is the racket's internal tech. Let's break down what each player was using in Riyadh, what's actually new in the 2026 editions, and whether any of these is a realistic choice for your level.
The Surprising Pattern in Their Setups
Here's what most casual fans miss: three of the four finalists were playing with structurally similar rackets. The Bullpadel Neuron 02 Edge, Adidas Metalbone HRD+, and Head Coello Pro are all high-balance, stiff-cored, diamond-mold frames designed to handle the extreme ball compressions generated at pro pace. The marketing looks different; the physics are closely aligned.
The true outlier is Tapia's Nox AT10 Genius — a teardrop-mold with a medium balance. It's the only frame in this final that concedes some raw ceiling power in exchange for a meaningfully wider sweet spot and more consistent control across a full match. That choice says something interesting about how Tapia reads the game: he trusts his timing and athletic ability, not sheer stiffness, to generate his famous lethality.
Fede Chingotto — Bullpadel Neuron 02 Edge 2026
Fede Chingotto has played in Bullpadel's Neuron family for years. His right-side control game, precise lobs, and relentless wall defense demand a racket that rewards precision without punishing off-center contact. The Neuron 02 Edge 2026 is designed exactly for this profile — but make no mistake, it's a genuinely demanding frame.
Verified 2026 Specs
- Shape: Diamond (GEO Shape — wider at 2 & 10 o'clock positions)
- Balance: Medium-High (~26cm)
- Core: MultiEVA dual-density (firm outer layer + softer inner)
- Face: X-Tend Carbon 3K
- Frame: CarbonTube 100% Carbon
- Weight: 365–375g
- Beam: 38mm
What's New in 2026?
The headline addition is the PrismLock System — a structural triangulation built into the frame that resists torsional flex during powerful impacts. At Chingotto's ball speed, the frame needs to deliver an identical response whether he catches the sweet spot or catches the edge at 140km/h. PrismLock is Bullpadel's answer to that consistency problem.
The dual-density MultiEVA core (a denser outer ring with a softer center) is also noteworthy. On fast, incoming balls the outer layer adds rigidity and power. On slower, defensive balls the inner layer gives cushion and control. It's a clever solution for a player who must perform both functions within the same rally.
The Air Power Technology widens the lower channel of the frame by 50%, reducing dead weight and enabling faster swing acceleration — important for Chingotto's rapid-fire net volleys. The 3D Grain Roughness surface adds notable grip on the ball for enhanced spin.
Strengths
- ✓ Torsional stability under pressure (PrismLock)
- ✓ Dual-density EVA adapts to ball speed
- ✓ Vibration management (Vibradrive + Ease Vibe)
- ✓ Customizable weight via CustomWeight System
Honest Limitations
- ✗ Diamond shape = demanding sweet spot
- ✗ Medium-high balance punishes bad timing
- ✗ Not a beginner-friendly frame at all
Who is it for? Advanced players (4.0+) who play a methodical right-side game and prioritize consistent precision over raw thunder. If your game is built on placement and patience, this is one of the most technically refined tools on the market. Browse all 2026 Bullpadel rackets here.
Ale Galan — Adidas Metalbone HRD+ 2026
Galán has been the poster child of the Metalbone line for years. As one of the most attack-minded players in the game from the left side, he needs a racket that converts his arm speed directly into ball speed — no energy lost. The Metalbone HRD+ 2026 is the most extreme version of adidas's iconic frame to date.
Verified 2026 Specs
- Shape: Diamond
- Balance: Head-Heavy (adjustable)
- Core: High Memory EVA (high-density, explosive response)
- Face: Carbon Aluminized 16K (some markets: 15K)
- Frame: Octagonal Carbon Tube structure
- Weight: 345–360g (+ up to 11.2g via Weight & Balance System)
- Beam: 38mm
What's New in 2026?
The big jump in the HRD+ this year is the 16K Carbon Aluminized face. The higher thread count versus standard carbon gives the hitting surface greater rigidity and reduced fiber waviness. In practical terms: the face deforms less on contact, transferring more energy directly into the ball. For Galán's rocket overheads, this is the equivalent of upgrading from a wooden bat to an aluminium one.
The Octagonal Structure of the frame tube (a 2025 innovation carried forward) gives the Metalbone a structural stiffness profile that most rectangular-tubed frames simply cannot match. The new Power Groove rail integrated into the head perimeter further stiffens the upper third — exactly where Galán makes his most explosive contacts.
One worthwhile practical note: the Extra Power Grip (EPG) is a longer handle, meaning the grip shifts more mass into the frame head. This increases the racket's swing weight considerably. If you pick this up expecting a standard Metalbone feel, you will be surprised by how head-heavy it sits.
Strengths
- ✓ Maximum power ceiling on the market
- ✓ Fully customizable W&B system (up to 11.2g)
- ✓ 16K face = exceptional rigidity and speed
- ✓ Spin Blade + Smart Holes Curve for spin
Honest Limitations
- ✗ Extremely arm-demanding; joint fatigue risk
- ✗ Almost zero forgiveness on mishits
- ✗ EPG long grip requires adjustment period
Who is it for? Expert players with technically clean mechanics who play a left-side attack game and have genuinely strong arms. This is a race car — extraordinary in the right hands, dangerous in the wrong ones. See all Adidas padel rackets.
Arturo Coello — Head Coello Pro 2026
Coello's eponymous racket is the most powerful Head frame in the 2026 catalogue. It's 5g lighter than its predecessor, yet Head has managed to make it feel more explosive — largely thanks to the Auxetic 2.0 technology, which has been a genuine game-changer in frame design. Coello himself has been one of the most physically dominant smashers on tour for two seasons running.
Verified 2026 Specs
- Shape: Diamond
- Balance: High (distinctly head-heavy)
- Core: Red Power Foam (high-reactivity, explosive)
- Face: Carbon Hybrid HS (carbon fibre + fibreglass weave)
- Frame: Graphene reinforced carbon
- Weight: ~370g (±10g)
What's New in 2026?
Auxetic 2.0 is the standout evolution. The first generation Auxetic geometry used fibers that literally expand sideways when compressed (counterintuitive compared to normal materials, which narrow). This creates a more active, amplified energy return on impact. The 2026 version places the Auxetic structure in two critical zones: the carbon-engineered yoke (the bridge) and the grip bar. This means both the primary strike zone and the frame's fundamental feel benefit from that atypical expansion response.
The result in practical use is a racket that feels explosive without requiring as much physical effort as competitors like the Metalbone. The Red Power Foam core — a proprietary high-reactivity compound — amplifies the Auxetic response further. The Carbon Hybrid HS face (a carbon-fibreglass blend) gives a touch more feel and a marginally softer contact than a full 3K or 16K carbon face, making the power more controllable.
The Extreme Spin 3D surface texture is genuinely aggressive. Paired with the high balance, Coello can generate brutal slice angles on his signature bandeja and vibora. The Power Stabilizer perimeter reinforcement gives the frame rigidity that you'd normally only get from a heavier, thicker frame.
Strengths
- ✓ Auxetic 2.0 = explosive feel with less effort
- ✓ Red Power Foam amplifies impact response
- ✓ Extreme Spin surface for slice shots
- ✓ 5g lighter than predecessor, feels equivalent or more powerful
Honest Limitations
- ✗ High balance demands excellent shoulder mechanics
- ✗ Tiny sweet spot for a diamond mold
- ✗ The Hybrid HS face feels "different" — love it or hate it
Who is it for? Advanced-to-expert players who prioritize crushing overhead power and have technically sound bandejas and viboras. If you mishit often, this frame will punish you. Browse all Head padel rackets.
Agustín Tapia — Nox AT10 Genius 12K Alum Xtreme 2026
Tapia is the most exciting player in the sport right now, and his choice tells a story. While his three opponents all play diamond-mold frames, Tapia stays with the AT10 Genius — a teardrop. The Genius is the control-oriented sibling of the AT10 Attack (diamond). The fact that Tapia can generate his characteristic smash power through an athlete's arm speed and technique, rather than from a high-balance diamond, says more about his ability than any racket spec sheet could.
Nox offers the AT10 line in three molds (Genius, Attack, Lite) — Tapia uses the Genius version for its medium balance sweet spot and versatility across the whole court.
Verified 2026 Specs (Genius Version)
- Shape: Teardrop (the only teardrop in this final)
- Balance: Medium
- Core: HR3 Black EVA (high-density, memory effect rubber)
- Face: 12K Alum Xtrem Carbon (aluminized finish, reduces fiber waviness by 50%)
- Frame: 100% Carbon with EOS Tunnel aerodynamic ports
- Weight: 360–375g
- Beam: 38mm
- Grip: Oversize (+30mm) for two-handed backhand comfort
What's New in 2026?
The defining innovation is the 12K Alum Xtrem Carbon face — an exclusive Nox development that adds an aluminized finish to the carbon fiber weave. The aluminum integration reduces fiber waviness by 50%, creating a more uniform surface that maintains its stiffness profile even as temperature drops or rises during outdoor play. This is a practical, well-engineered solution to a real problem: padel rackets that feel different in summer vs. winter conditions.
The HR3 Black EVA core is a high-density compound with a memory effect — it compresses on impact and returns to shape quickly, creating a snappy, explosive response. This is notably harder than most EVA compounds on the market, which is why the AT10 Genius has genuine power despite being a teardrop-mold frame.
The EOS Tunnel aerodynamic lateral perforations in the bridge reduce drag, allowing faster swing-through speeds. For Tapia — who generates enormous arm speed — this makes the frame feel lighter in motion than its weight suggests. The Dual Spin surface (3D rough texture + silica sand layer) gives the AT10 some of the best spin potential in its class.
Strengths
- ✓ Teardrop = significantly larger sweet spot
- ✓ 12K Alum face is temperature-consistent
- ✓ HR3 Black EVA delivers surprising power
- ✓ EOS Tunnel = faster swing-through
- ✓ Most approachable frame for advanced amateurs in this final
Honest Limitations
- ✗ Medium balance = less raw smash ceiling than diamonds
- ✗ HR3 Black EVA is hard — not arm-friendly for beginners
- ✗ Oversize grip requires getting used to
Who is it for? Advanced players who value a big sweet spot but still want serious power through their own technique. This is the frame to test if you want a piece of Tapia's setup without committing to a full diamond-mold learning curve. Explore all Nox rackets.
Riyadh 2026 Finalist Rackets: Side-by-Side
| Racket | Shape | Balance | Core | Face | Key Tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bullpadel Neuron 02 Edge | Diamond | Medium-High | MultiEVA dual-density | X-Tend 3K Carbon | PrismLock, Air Power |
| Adidas Metalbone HRD+ | Diamond | Head-Heavy | High Memory EVA | Carbon Aluminized 16K | Octagonal Tube, Power Groove |
| Head Coello Pro | Diamond | High | Red Power Foam | Carbon Hybrid HS | Auxetic 2.0, Extreme Spin |
| Nox AT10 Genius 12K | Teardrop ★ | Medium ★ | HR3 Black EVA | 12K Alum Xtrem Carbon | EOS Tunnel, Dual Spin |
★ The AT10 Genius is the only teardrop and medium-balance frame among the four finalists.
Which Is Right for Your Game?
If you want the most forgiving option from this final
→ Nox AT10 Genius 12K. The teardrop mold and medium balance give you a realistic shot at using this at advanced-club level. Still hard-cored enough to demand technique.
If you play a structured right-side control game
→ Bullpadel Neuron 02 Edge. The MultiEVA dual-density core adapts well to mixed tempo play. PrismLock gives you consistency at high contact speeds.
If you're an explosive left-side attacker with clean technique
→ Adidas Metalbone HRD+. The highest power ceiling of the four, but demanding on the arm. Make sure your shoulder is ready for the EPG-extended swing weight.
If you want a genuine tech leap and elite smash feel
→ Head Coello Pro. Auxetic 2.0 genuinely changes how energy return feels on-court. The most innovative frame in this group from a pure materials science perspective.
Not sure which level you are or what to prioritize? Use our Racket Finder tool — it will match your playing style, frequency, and budget to a set of real recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do pro padel players use special rackets compared to what you buy in a shop?
The commercial versions are very close to what pros use, but not identical. Pros often request custom EVA hardness from their sponsors, add lead tape to fine-tune balance, and frequently use Hesacore ergonomic grips. The frame geometry and technologies are the same; the fine-tuning is personal.
Why does Tapia use a teardrop when all others in this final use diamonds?
A teardrop provides a more centered sweet spot and a higher margin of error. Tapia generates his devastating power through elite arm speed and technique, not from a high-balance diamond. The AT10 Genius's medium balance also helps him move effortlessly between offensive and defensive positions on the court.
What is Auxetic 2.0 and why does it matter?
Auxetic materials expand sideways when compressed, unlike conventional materials which narrow. When used in a racket frame, this creates an unusually amplified energy return — the frame actively 'helps' push the ball rather than just resisting impact. The 2026 iteration places auxetic fibers in both the bridge and grip bar, improving feedback across the whole frame.
Is the Metalbone HRD+ 2026 noticeably different from the previous version?
Yes. The upgrade to a Carbon Aluminized 16K face is significant — it creates a noticeably firmer surface that transfers more energy into the ball on contact. Combined with the Power Groove rail on the head perimeter, the 2026 HRD+ hits meaningfully harder than its 2025 predecessor, at the cost of even less forgiveness on mishits.
Are any of these 2026 pro frames suitable for intermediate players?
Honestly, no — not the Metalbone HRD+ or Coello Pro. The AT10 Genius 12K is the most approachable of the four for a strong intermediate player, but only if your fundamentals are solid. For most club players in the 2.5–3.5 range, check out our top intermediate rackets for 2026 instead.
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Zvonimir Rezo
The Founder"Building for the Community"
Zvonimir is a software engineer and competitive padel player in the Croatian Padel League. He builds Padel Finder to help players bypass marketing hype and find equipment that actually fits their level.
