Madrid Open 2012: What Top Stars Are Saying About Blue Clay at Tournament

The 2012 Madrid Open has been one of the more intriguing tournaments of the season. It’s largely due to the new blue clay that the organizers have debuted for the first time.

Many of the games’ top stars have been outspoken about the surface, and it seems that everyone has an opinion on how it impacts a match.

Let’s take a look at what some of these pros have been saying.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal may be the biggest critic of the surface, and told Reuters (via Chicago Tribune) that unless it changes, he will not be back. This comes on the heels of his third-round upset against Fernando Verdasco.

"

The ATP and the tournament can do what they want. I tried my best to prepare but I wasn't good enough to adapt my game to this court. The only thing that I know is that if things continue like this I am very sad but next year will be one less tournament in my calendar.

"

The Spaniard needs to grow up and learn to play on any surface instead of crying about it publicly after an embarrassing loss.

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic isn’t happy with the clay, but at least he’s being humorous when he complains.

According to an Associated Press report (via Washington Post), the world No. 1 had this to say a few days ago.

"

To me that’s not tennis. Either I come out with football shoes or I invite Chuck Norris to advise me how to play on this court. Center court is impossible to move on. I hit five balls throughout the whole match. With everything else, I was just trying to keep the ball in the court.

"

So far, it hasn’t hurt his advancement through the tournament.

Roger Federer

Federer hasn’t spoke anything controversial during the tournament about the blue clay but, according to CNN, he definitely wasn’t happy about it back in December of last year when the surface was announced.

"

This is a long story, but I find it sad that you have to play on a surface the players don't accept. I find it sad that a player like Rafa, at a tournament in his own country, has had to fight against a surface that does not want to play on.

"

Not all players may like the change, and many seem to be resisting it. It shouldn’t matter, as it is a nice change for the game.