PadelGuru analysis
Verdict
Juan Tello’s Bullpadel Vertex 04 2025 is a diamond-shaped racket aimed at advanced attacking players who prioritize pinpoint control, agility, and aerial spin over pure power. It offers little free ball exit and gives no assistance on flat smashes, but it delivers exceptional technical precision along with a sweet spot that is remarkably generous for its diamond shape.
We recommend it to players who generate their own pace and look to construct points with biting viboras and solid volleys without sacrificing defensive speed. Anyone relying on high ball exit to defend effortlessly, or seeking free power to hit the ball straight out, will need to supply all the arm work themselves.
- Best for
- Advanced attacking players who prioritize control, net quickness, and spin on bandejas and viboras.
- Not for
- Players looking for easy power on flat smashes or high ball exit for effortless defense.
Strengths
- Pinpoint control at both medium and high tempos
- Generous and forgiving sweet spot for a diamond-shaped racket
- Fast preparation speed and great agility at the net
- Sandy finish that bites effectively on viboras and x3 smashes
Weaknesses
- Little free power on flat smashes
- Low ball exit that requires full follow-through from the back of the court
- Stock Hesacore grip feels overly soft when gripping tightly
01 Back of the court: defensive precision and predictable touch
The Vertex 04 2025 defends with unusual ease for a diamond-shaped racket thanks to its maneuverability. It shifts quickly to react to fast shots aimed at the feet, avoiding the sluggish feel common among offensive models. Ball exit is restrained: the face does not launch unpredictably or offer free rebound on slow impacts, requiring a complete swing to clear the net reliably.
In return for demanding an active stroke, control at low and medium tempos is outstanding. The ball responds faithfully to arm acceleration without erratic jumps or unexpected deflections, making it straightforward to drop deep lobs and pinpoint the corners with total composure.
02 At the net: fast preparation and solid block volleys
Speed at the net makes all the difference during rapid exchanges up front. With a medium balance of 255 mm, the Vertex 04 2025 positions in front of the body in a fraction of a second, making it easy to counter fast drives and reflex volleys.
Despite moving so effortlessly, its weight of 365 to 375 g provides plenty of mass to punch volleys deep without forcing the stroke. On block volleys against aggressive off-the-wall bajadas, it holds firm: the ball does not fly wildly toward the back glass, holding a low trajectory even on slightly off-center contacts.
03 Overhead game: bite on viboras and x3 smashes
Bandejas and viboras are the strongest department in the attack. The firm feel allows players to accelerate through the ball smoothly, imparting heavy spin so shots stay low and die against the opponent’s glass. The sandy finish bites the ball noticeably on sliced contacts, delivering extra traction that pays off on aggressive viboras and topspin x3 smashes alike.
Flat smashes, by contrast, are where the racket demands the most. Lacking natural rebound and featuring low ball exit, the face absorbs energy unless struck with clean, forceful mechanics. Bringing the ball back over the net or smashing it straight out requires pure physical power from the arm.
04 Feel and comfort: crisp response with a large sweet spot
Ball contact delivers a medium-stiff feel with a dry, crisp character, produced by the interaction between the MultiEVA core and the X-Tend Carbon 12K face. This setup produces a direct and predictable response, supported by a generous sweet spot thanks to the frame dampeners, which widen the effective hitting area and forgive off-center strikes.
The main drawback lies in the factory handle. The stock Hesacore grip feels excessively soft and deforms under a firm hold, making it worth swapping out for a traditional grip to feel the bevels clearly and gain a sturdier hold.
05 Compared to the 2024 model: larger sweet spot and better grip
Compared to the 2024 version, the most noticeable upgrades center on forgiveness and ball grip. The redesigned frame dampeners widen the usable hitting area, forgiving mistimed or off-center strikes better without altering the overall structural firmness.
At the same time, the sandy finish on the faces feels slightly more pronounced than on the previous edition, providing stronger traction on sliced shots. On court, the Vertex 04 2025 feels quicker to maneuver and adds extra control when defending, cementing its status as a more technical racket with less direct trampolining.
Frequently asked questions
- Which racket does Juan Tello play with?
- Juan Tello plays with the Vertex 04 2025, a diamond-shaped racket with a medium balance engineered for precision and spin in the overhead game.
- Is the Vertex 04 2025 stiff or soft?
- It sits at a medium hardness with a dry feel on contact, combining its MultiEVA core with 12K carbon faces. Instead of a bouncy or plush response, it delivers direct, clean feedback.
- Is the Vertex 04 2025 good for smashing?
- It performs very well on kick smashes and x3 smashes because the textured sandy surface grips the ball cleanly. On flat smashes, however, it provides no free speed, forcing the hitter to supply all the pace.
- What has changed on the Vertex 04 2025 compared to the 2024 model?
- The 2025 update expands the sweet spot with redesigned frame dampeners for greater forgiveness on off-center hits. The face texture is also slightly rougher, helping players generate extra spin on slice and kick shots.