Madrid Open 2012: Novak Djokovic Loss Proves Surface Change Is a Must

If the 2012 Madrid Open wasn't marred when local countryman Rafael Nadal expressed his disinterest in the blue clay courts after his Thursday loss, they are now.

After top-ranked world phenom Novak Djokovic was upset by fellow Serbian Janko Tipsarevic Friday afternoon in Madrid, he made it clear in telling Yahoo! Sports that he wouldn't be back any time soon to play on the Boise State-esque courts:

"

I want to forget this week as soon as possible and move on to the real clay courts. Here you can't predict the ball bounce or movement. They can do whatever they want, but I won't be here next year if this clay stays.

"

Well, I guess that writes off the possibility of Nadal using the unpopular surface as an excuse for his early-round upset to Fernando Velasco. 

The Madrid Open's decision to change to the blue clay surface on which this year's tournament is played was scrutinized by top players even before the event started, and the verdict from those same players all but killed the Open's chances of their blue court surviving past this weekend.

The surface has also been characterized as "slippery" by the world's No. 1 and 2 tennis stars. But as upset as Nadal may be, rival Roger Federer will still take over his No. 2 rank if the Swiss icon is able to win this weekend's tournament in Spain.

The Madrid Open may not be a major championship in tennis, but it's lucky enough to have the world's top players attend and compete on both the men's and women's side. They're responsible for keeping the players happy, and it's obvious that the tournament would suffer if the blue clay courts remain. 

Even with the sport of tennis as competitive as it is today, Nadal and Djokovic were the outright favorites to meet in Madrid's championship match. It's almost unheard of to see both players ousted before the semifinals approach.

It could have been easily diagnosed as an excuse if Nadal were the only player crying wolf, but the endorsement of Djokovic in addressing a big problem at the 2012 Mutua Madrid Open proves that the current surface in place must go now.