Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal Oppose Madrid’s Blue Clay: Slap at Tennis Tradition?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 3, 2012

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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are not in favor of the new blue clay that is being featured at the 2012 Matua Madrid Open. Their mutual malcontent was voiced last December, as reported by CNN’s Chris Murphy.

It appears to be a classic case of tradition vs. progress, but there are personal stakes involved as well for players and tournament organizers.

The biggest ballyhoo will be screamed from those who are horrified by dying nature’s red clay into an artificially dark blue.

What in the name of Smurfville is going on?

 

Tradition Perdition

The blue clay idea, originated from former tennis star Ion Tiriac, is getting the green light in large part because it is supposedly more visible for players and spectators.



Traditionalists might find this as logical as painting blue stop signs to cut down on traffic fatalities.

Organizers may claim it will not affect the clay-court game, but even a small difference in bouncing balls could snowball into radical results. This would most likely affect and possibly damage the games of favorites like Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, who stand to lose the most.

If one of the big three is eliminated early, the blue clay will establish an early enemy, along with his supporting fans. They will insist that the disrespect for tradition was the cause of an undesired result.

If the top players truly wanted to make a statement in opposing the blue clay, they would boycott the tournament. Nothing would reverse ill-fated progress more than to have its heavily financed legs kicked out from underneath.

Suppose the blue clay improves tennis playability for spectators and players. Will blue bleed over to all other clay tournaments and drown out the French Open’s hallowed grounds?

And if they could dump gallons of blue dye all over Madrid, would they soon spray-pai...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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