Babolat
Counter Origin
An oversized round frame with a head-light feel — built for the player picking up a padel racket for the first time and learning where the ball goes.
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Full spec breakdown
Listing checked at publish date
Highlights
What makes this racket stand out
Oversized round head enlarges the sweet spot so off-centre hits still travel cleanly, the single biggest factor for a first-timer's confidence
Low (head-light) balance keeps the racket fast through the air, which matters when reaction time at the net is the weakest part of a beginner's game
Hybrid carbon-and-fiberglass frame with a fiberglass face flexes on contact — slower swings still get the ball out of the back glass
The feel
How it's built to play, by shape, core and construction — rated low / mid / high rather than on a false 1–10 scale. Higher isn't always better; it depends on the game you want.
Balance — where the weight sits
Even
Handle / low
Head / high
The spec sheet
Weight
345–365g
Shape
Round
Level
Beginner
Style
Control
Balance
Low
Core
EVA
Face
Fiberglass
Thickness (mm)
38
Our verdict
What the shape, core and construction tell us about how this racket is built to play.
The short version
The Counter Origin is a first-racket purchase, not a long-term partner — it does the one job a beginner needs (forgive mishits, stay out of the way) and does it at a fair price. The trade-off is honest: there is no attacking gear here, so a player who improves quickly will outgrow it inside a season. Buy it to learn the sport, not to compete with it.
Strengths
Complete beginners or players coming from tennis who need maximum forgiveness on mishits
Club players returning after a layoff or with mild elbow sensitivity who want a soft, head-light frame
Keep in mind
Intermediate or advanced players who already finish points from the left and want power on overheads
How it's built to play
The Counter Origin is Babolat's entry-level round, priced at €99 and aimed squarely at the first racket purchase. It commits fully to forgiveness: oversized head, head-light balance, fiberglass face, hybrid frame. There is no attempt to add an attacking dimension here, and that's the point — a beginner who buys a racket with any diamond DNA will spend their first six months frustrated.
The face is fiberglass over an EVA core, which is an unusual pairing — fiberglass faces are usually matched with softer foam to maximise comfort. Here the EVA core adds a bit of pop and durability the fiberglass alone wouldn't give, while the glass face still flexes enough to launch the ball without much swing speed. It's a sensible compromise for the price.
The frame is a hybrid of carbon and fiberglass: the carbon adds rigidity and keeps weight down where the head would otherwise feel sluggish, while the fiberglass sections soften the impact reaching the hand. Babolat calls the throat insert an Improver Heart — in practice it's a shaped bridge that helps a new player feel where the face is pointing, which is genuinely useful when you're still learning to align contact.
On court the Counter Origin behaves like a round should: predictable, slow, and very hard to mishit badly. The oversized sweet spot is the headline feature and it earns its keep — balls struck towards the tip or near the throat still come off the strings with usable depth, which is exactly what a beginner needs when their contact point is wandering by 5cm shot to shot.
The low balance makes it fast at the net and easy to manoeuvre on defensive lobs, but it caps the power ceiling sharply. Bandejas and smashes feel cushioned rather than committed — you can place the ball, not punch it. Once a player starts wanting to finish points, this racket will start to feel like it's holding them back, and that's the moment to move on.
FAQ
Is the Counter Origin a good first padel racket?
Yes — the round oversized head, low balance and flexible fiberglass face are the three specs that matter most for a beginner, and the Counter Origin combines all of them. It will make your first months on court significantly less frustrating than a teardrop or diamond would.
How does the Counter Origin compare to a more advanced Babolat like the Counter Viper?
The Counter Viper is a diamond with high balance built for advanced left-side attackers — it punishes mishits and demands consistent technique. The Counter Origin is the opposite end of the range: round, head-light, forgiving. They're not alternatives to each other; they're for different stages of a player's development.
Should I choose the Counter Origin or a mid-range teardrop around the same price?
If you've never played a racket sport, take the Counter Origin — the round shape and oversized sweet spot will save you mishits that a teardrop won't. If you already have tennis or squash experience and clean contact, a teardrop around €100–€130 will give you more room to grow into.
Is this racket suitable for players with elbow problems?
It's a lower-risk profile: round shape, low balance, fiberglass face and a lighter weight are all arm-friendly factors. The EVA core is firmer than a soft foam would be, so it's not the absolute softest option on the market, but for a beginner returning from elbow issues it sits in safe territory.
How long will I keep using the Counter Origin before needing an upgrade?
Most players outgrow a pure beginner racket within 6–18 months, depending on how often they play. Once you're consistently placing volleys and wanting to attack from the left, you'll feel the Counter Origin's power ceiling — that's the signal to look at a teardrop with medium balance.
Made for elbow-conscious players.
An oversized round frame with a head-light feel — built for the player picking up a padel racket for the first time and learning where the ball goes.
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